What's happening
Scotland - USA
October 15 Match
WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 21th October 2003)
When Scotland faced the USA before a near capacity crowd at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane last
night I was expecting quite a good game given the Scots recent 'ordinary' form and the brave
effort the USA made against the Fiji team last week, losing only by a point to the much
better team. However, the game was neither spectacular nor closely fought for the most part.
Whistle happy Jonathan Kaplan from South Africa did little to allow the game to flow. I reckon
a good ref is one that's barely noticed rather than one that takes centre stage - though I suppose
I'd be complaining if he didn't make calls either - hmmm.. maybe refs just can't win :)) Paterson
put the first points on the board for Scotland kicking a penalty goal before Mike Hercus (the Aussie in the
Eagles) slotted two penalty goals for the USA giving them a 6-3 lead.
The crowd was having a ball despite the rather boring on field action. Simon Danielli, the fleet of
foot winger from Scotland livened things up though when he crossed for two tries in the first half.
Thank heavens! With three minutes to go in the first half, the Scottish prop, Kerr raced to the line with the US's van Zyl
in a mad dash to reach a kick from Emerick. It was close, but Jonathan Kaplan ruled that there had indeed been
downward pressure on the ball from Kerr and Scotland scored again.
Smith was then sin binned for preventing the ball's release and Hercus kicked a penalty goal.. now, I'm not
saying that kicking penalty goals is a bad thing, but the USA spent a lot of this match (and the previous one) kicking
for the three points rather than backing themselves and having a go. Until the USA players decide to have a go they're
not going to really know what they are capable of. Come on guys! :)
The *yawn* second half got underway with the US trying to make the most of Smith being in the sin bin.
Eloff crossed the line, but he'd knocked on before grounding the ball and so Hercus kicked ANOTHER penalty goal
for the Eagles. By now the game was getting so boring I was watching the crowd doing the Mexican wave.
Test-pattern rugby :)) Bit more action though when Emerick was sin binned - at least it gave the crowd someting
to watch for a few seconds, and then finaaaaaaaaally the Scots scored again when Townsend went over - giving the
Scots their fourth try for the game and the much touted bonus point! Paterson came on, and bunged on another try for
Scotland which he converted bringing the full time score to 39-15.
Yep well that was that. The Eagles tried but really need to stop kicking possession away over and over...and over.
They also should start trying to score tries instead of penalty goals, and the Scots, well they need to get their act
together as well before they face France on Saturday. If they make as many errors as they did last night, and give away
17 penalties like they did last night - then the French will pound them - and Scotland's a better team than that - I like
to think they're having a temporary loss of form. Here's hoping they find it some time this week ;))
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