Posted on 11/20/2004 9:37:43 PM PST by .cnI redruM
USA Eagles coach Tom Billups wants his team to match up against the best in the world. They've done so twice now, but unfortunately, in each case, Team USA has only managed this for one half. The USA vs. Ireland match Saturday, like the previous USA match against France, was truly a tale of two halfs.
In the First Half, The Eagles played a slow, scrum-oriented match and managed to grind things out enough to keep it close match. Matt Hercus matched boots against The Great David Humpries. The only margin of difference was a try for the Home Team by Tommy Bowe, who was playing his first international match. The Irish went in ahead only 13-6.
The Second Half saw the demise of Tom Billups and The USA scrum. Once Ireland got control of the scrummage, their back line became unstoppable and every mistake the Eagles made was another penalty kick for the aforementioned Humphries. He finished with 20 points in an exceptional performance for the man with a kicking foot like a sniper rifle.
The game turned into an unfortunate rout for The USA Eagles, Ireland won 55-6, as the last twenty minutes of the match became an Irish Pub Party of scoring. RugbyRubgy.com writes the autopsy.
Man of the match: Left wing Tommy Bowe for his debut try that helped to ignite the Irish Backs for a second-half assault on the Americans line.
Moment of the match: The start of the second-half when Ireland came out firing after a poor first-half that was dull and lacked imagination.
Villain of the match: US flanker Brian Surgener for his yellow card in the 27th minute for persistent off-sides that was killing the game at rucks and mauls.
The scorers:
For Ireland: Tries: Sheahan, Bowe, Miller, Murphy 2, Horan, Stringer Cons: Humphreys 7 Pens: Humphreys 2
For USA: Pens: Hercus 2
The teams:
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Shane Horgan, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Tommy Bowe, 10 David Humphreys, 9 Guy Easterby, 8 Eric Miller, 7 Denis Leamy, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donccha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Frankie Sheahan, 1 Marcus Horan.
Replacements: 16 Shane Byrne, 17 Simon Best, 18 Leo Cullen, 19 Anthony Foley, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Girvan Dempsey.
USA: 15 Francois Viljoen, 14 Al Lakomskis, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Salesi Sika, 11 David Fee, 10 Mike Hercus, 9 Mose Timoteo, 8 Kort Schubert (captain), 7 Tony Petruzzella, 6 Brian Surgener, 5 Gerhard Klerck, 4 Alec Parker, 3 Jacob Waasdorp, 2 Matt Wyatt, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Mike Hobson, 17 Chris Osentowski, 18 Jurie Gouws, 19 Fifita Mo'unga, 20 David Williams, 21 Matt Sherman, 22 Albert Tuipulotu.
Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)
Tom Billups goes back to the drawing board. His next big match is against Italy. It might be his chance to fight for his job as US Head Coach.
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