What's happening
Japan - USA

October 27 Match

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 28th October 2003)
The USA Eagles scored their first RWC win since 1987 in Gosford last night 39-26 over Japan's Cherry Blossoms. Someone must have gotten the message through to the US guys to stop kicking possession away non-stop :) With just 10 minutes on the clock, the Eagles were ahead 14-0 when the star of the game, US flyhalf Mike Hercus went over for a try, closely followed by Eloff who also plonked five points on the board for the Eagles. Hercus was in better kicking form than his previous games and converted both of the tries.

The Cherry Blossoms weren't about to give up though and in the twentieth minute Toru Kurihara went over for a Japan try - the result of some nifty backline play. When Kurihara kicked a penalty goal shortly afterwards, the scoreline was 14-10 in favour of the USA. The Eagles knuckled down and hung onto the ball for most of the remaining first half time - in the process causing Japan to give away a couple of penalties. Hercus capitalised on the Cherry Blossom errors and booted two more penalty tries during this phase of play to bring the half time score 20-10 in the US's favour.

When the Cherry Blossoms came back out for the second half they looked a different team - literally! They'd changed their jerseys during the break - heh :) but in all seriousness they also came out firing. Kurihara kicked three penalty goals in quick succession during the opening few minutes, and suddenly the score was 20-19! With 20 minutes left on the clock we had a game on our hands.

Kort Schubert went over the line for the US, and when Hercus converted the try the Eagles' lead was back out to 8 points - 27-19. The Cherry Blossoms rallied though and put their winger Daisuke Ohata over the line to bring the score back again to only one point in difference. The game was getting rather fierce - both sides desperate to come away with a win. With five minutes left on the clock Riaan van Zyl sealed the Eagles' win with a try which Hercus slotted through for the conversion. 34-26. Right on the full time whistle, the Eagles' hooker, Kirk Khasigian went over for the US bringing the full time score to 39-26.

No doubt the Eagles were very pleased to have won the game against Japan - but they face France in their next game. I'm tipping a big win for the French!