GRR: National Teams
One of the many question-marks on the Men’s USA National Team was lock forward; forced to bring in untested players, Head Coach John Mitchell may have hit upon some answers.
During one of their training sessions leading up to Saturday’s meeting with Canada, the USA U20 coaches proposed a little wager …
Late in the afternoon the coaches suggested Ben Cima line up a 50-meter penalty goal. If he missed it, the players would have to do an extra circuit of fitness work. If he made it, the coaches would have to do it.
The USA U20s have qualified for the World Rugby Junior Trophy with a wild and improbably 19-18 victory over Canada.
While there were several good performances in the game, the hero had to be flyhalf Ben Cima, who kicked four penalty goals, including the game-winner with no time left, from about 52 meters away.
The USA defeated Canada 30-22 in the Americas Rugby Championship Saturday night just outside of Austin, Texas.
The Eagles put aside a series of set-piece errors and penal tie that saw them behind in the first half, and exploded for 20 points in the second half, including three tries from flanker and captain Todd Clever.
Former SE Polk HS star Deion Mikesell, the top player in Iowa's 7s season last year, will start at wing for the USA U20s Saturday evening in Austin against Canada.