ZCZC
BSP-06
RUGBYU-USA-SCO
US make history by rallying to upset Scotland
HOUSTON, June 17, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The United States stunned Scotland 30-
29 on Saturday, rallying from a 15-point first-half deficit to record their
first win in history over the world number six squad.
“We made it scrappy and defended like hell,” said US captain Blaine
Scully. “We might not have the cap count but we know how hard we are going to
work for each other.”
The 15th ranked Americans fell behind 24-13 at the break but stormed back
to take a 30-24 lead when AJ MacGinty converted after flanker Hanco
Germishuys scored a try halfway through the second half.
Scotland’s Dougie Fife then scored a try in time added on, cutting the US
lead to just one.
But on the final play of the match Blair Kinghorn’s conversion attempt
sailed wide, handing the USA a shocking victory and their first win over
Scotland in five official Tests.
“The character we demonstrated to battle through adversity in the first
half and for us to stay within our game plan is something we can take so much
heart from,” said Scully of the US which improved to a perfect 7-0 in 2018.
It was a sobering defeat for Scotland.
The Americans used their size and physical strength to overpower the Scots
who ran out of gas in the second half and made too many costly errors with
the game on the line.
“Give credit to America,” said Scottish captain Stuart Hogg. “They really
took their opportunities when they were there.
“We weren’t good enough from the get-go. We scored a nice try early on and
then we went to sleep.”
Hooker Joe Taufete’e led the Americans with two tries and South African-
born Germishuys scored a try to make it 28-24 and give them their first lead.
Scotland got off to roaring start with a try after just 59 seconds by
Kinghorn and stretched that to 21-6 at one point before the Americans mounted
a comeback.
The US came into the game with a 6-0 record this year, including a
dominating 62-13 win over world No. 19 Russia in the first match of their
three-game June test series.
Last time, the USA battled Scotland at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England
where they lost 39-16.
The US has been improving steadily since their loss to Scotland three
years ago. They finished 3-6-1 in 2016 and 6-3-1 in last year.
The US went with the same starting lineup against Scotland that they used
in the Russia contest, while the Scots made 12 roster changes following their
convincing 48-10 win over Canada last weekend.
Scotland will wind up their summer tour against Argentina next Saturday
while the Eagles travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia to face Canada the same day.
BSS/AFP/SG/SSS/1208 hrs