CANADA DROPS FINAL PACIFIC NATIONS CUP

All 7,804 fans watched as the USA Eagles defeated Canada 38-35 for the first time since 2009 being played as part of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The hosts took control early on to start the game and, after Canada’s first scrum was penalized, American fullback Chris Wyles opened the scoring with a penalty to lead 3-0.

Following a steady stream of possession for the hosts, scrum half Phil Mack was issued a yellow card and Wyles slotted another penalty to lead 6-0 nearing the 10 minute mark.

Playing with a man advantage, the Eagles continued to use their momentum, but were unable to cross the whitewash.

Mack’s presence was felt immediately after getting back on the field when he set up the game’s first try for fly-half Harry Jones in the right corner.

Canadian fullback James Pritchard kicked a difficult conversion to take a 7-6 lead.

Off the ensuing kick off, American captain Todd Clever broke free for a powerful run before offloading to Shalom Suniula who found Blaine Scully for the score.

After a short video review, the try was awarded and the Eagles lead 11-7.

At the 34-minute mark, USA touched down for their second try when Danny Barrett broke through, but Wyles’ conversion put the Eagles ahead 18-7.

Nearing the end of the first half the momentum shifted in favour of the guests on the back of three quick tries.

Hooker Aaron Carpenter drove over the line with a powerful pick-and-go to bring the game to 18-14 before Pritchard dove on a DTH van der Merwe chip kick for their second score to lead 21-18.

On the final play of the first half, outside-centre Ciaran Hearn picked up a loose ball and scampered 60-metres for the score. Canada would take a 28-18 lead into the break.

The second frame opened in Canada’s favour when Jones broke free for his second try of the match. After yet another Pritchard conversion, Canada lead 35-18.

At the 52^nd minute mark, Canada’s penalty trouble continued when flanker Jebb Sinclair was shown another yellow card, reducing his team to 14 men. Wyles added three points off the boot on the ensuing penalty and the score stood 35-21.

Thanks to Judy Teasdale for the photo

American winger Scully dotted down shortly after for his second try of the game after receiving a nifty pass from scrum half Mike Petri. With Wyles’ conversion, USA would bring the game to 35-28 at the 60^th minute.

Shortly after, the hosts continued to pressure with momentum in their favour and Wyles added another penalty to bring the game to 35-31 at the 68^th minute.

The Eagles secured their win after capitalizing on a blocked kick by Tom Coolican deep inside Canadian territory.

Brett Thompson, playing in his first game for USA, scored the game-winning try at the 70-minute mark, with Wyles converting.

The final ten minutes saw both teams exchange possession and Canada had two opportunities to take penalties in front of the posts, but elected to attempt the win.

Despite numerous line breaks near the Americans’ goal line, the Eagles held strong and Canada weren’t able to cross the whitewash, which saw USA pull off a 38-35 victory.

With the loss, Canada finishes their annual June International test series with an 0-3 record, with earlier defeats coming against Japan and Scotland.

Canada’s next games will be during the November Test window and the schedules will be announced in the coming weeks.

“It’s difficult to win down to 14 men for 20 minutes and when you give away as many penalties as we did and when you miss as many tackles as we did today.

We didn’t deserve to be as close as we were and it was a pretty disappointing performance today,” said Crowley after the game.

He continued “Our coaching staff is going to take a good look at this game and some of the players will need to look at their performance today and we’ll look forward to November now.”