The USA U20s logged a 44-33 win over Netherlands to start their World Rugby U20 Trophy campaign with a victory.
It was an inconsistent performance by the USA team, which led 41-19 at halftime and then somewhat lost the plot in the second 40. Netherlands got just about every point from USA penalties, and those penalties have to be cleaned up. On the plus side, the USA scrum looked much improved and there were some impressive performances, notably wing Keelan Farrell, who scored four tries, scrumhalf Solomon Williams, No. 8 Dylan Fortune, and flanker Graeme Pedegana.
The USA stole possession on the first scrum of the day and from there showcased some good continuity through the phases. Eventually Netherlands were penalized and fullback Corbin Smith slotted the goal for a 3-0 lead. Netherlands almost immediately got a penalty after the restart, but the attempt at posts drifted wide. Still the Americans had to defend for a long time after that. They didn't give up territory and, during this time, didn't give up penalties.
That was smart and patient defense. Finally, the ball was ripped away and wing Jordan Vassel made a little run to set up a ruck. The ball was then sent quickly to the other side where Pedegana had tons of space. He took off, and once he neared halfway, passed off to Farrell, who raced off for the opening try and a lead of 8-0.
The USA kept up the pressure, got close to the line on a maul, and when a pass from Williams allowed Fortune to crash over. Now it was 15-0. The Junior Eagles were in control now. Even when Netherlands threatened it became a scoring chance for the Americans. Netherlands flyhalf Kit Temperley snaked through a gap and passed to his support. But the ball was knocked loose by Fortune, and gathered by Williams. Quickly the ball was sent to Farrell, who was about five meters from his own tryline. Off he went, made a move on a coupld of players, and was gone for 95 meters and a spectacular try.
Smith was good on the conversion and it was 22-0.
Netherlands responded after a pointless penalty in the middle of the field. Temperley has a good boot and set up a lineout close to the USA line, and they mauled it over without too much trouble. Flanker Joris Smits did the honors.
The USA responded by going wide quickly and Smith passed to Farrell, who cut back against the grain to beat three Dutch defenders who over-pursued, and he was gone again. Now it was 29-5.
But the penalties started to creep into the USA game. Vassel was sin-binned for a tip tackle, and directly from that penalty the Dutch set up a lineout, maul, and a try for Smits. Conversion from Ilan Vaasen was good and it was 29-12. Strangely, even being shorthanded, the USA managed to score tries. Kind of out of nothing flyhalf Rand Santos bounced off a poor tackle while countering on a kick. He was through a rather desultory Netherlands chase, had one man to beat, and set up Pedegana, who charged in from 35 meters to score. The conversion attempt was off the post and the score held at 34-12.
The USA won the restart, Williams popped a box kick which Fortune won, and then Santos lofted a kick wide that bounced kindly for Farrell, who was in for his fourth. Smith converted and it was 41-12.
Netherlands once again punished USA penalties and got to the USA tryline. There Fortune was yellow-carded for being offside under the posts. Mart Van Der Veen crashed over, and the half ended 41-19.
