Mistakes, Penalties Hurt USA U23s Against Canada

The USA had chances to get into scoring position as the half came to a close but too many passing errors killed their chances.

Canada started the second half with a long kick that rolled dead. But they stole the ball from the scrum and went right down to the USA trying. Somehow the Junior Eagles held on.

The USA, shorthanded thanks to a yellow card, unleashed some impressive pressure defense that drove Canada back about 35 meters. They then forced a turnover and worked through a sequence of 15-20 phases. But the continuity couldn’t produce much territory, however.

Finally Canada scored their fourth try, punishing a series of USA penalties and making it 24-0.

The USA finally hit the scoreboard as the game wrapped up. The movement started when the USA U23s were defending in their 22. Reserve scrum half Autumn Locicero (who also slotted in at the wing) counter-rucked to force a turnover. The USA worked through the Canadian defense, offloading and finding some territory. Haungatau and Locicero, along with Adegoke, Alyssa Cunningham, and Tessa Hann, worked their way into the Canadian half.

Then Adegoke was unleashed down the sideline and she blazed almost to the line. She was able to stay on her feet and turned to locate reserve hooker Lauren Ferridge, who had mounted her horse when she saw Adegoke break through. The wing’s offload was perfect and Ferridge got just reward for her work.

That’s how it ended, 24-5.

For the USA, there were far too many passing mistakes. Wantlin will want another shot at playing a game as she struggled in the kicking game, both catching and sending them out.  Some of the players on defense seemed to be playing 7s not 15s, waiting to make tackles when it would have been better to just get in the way.

Tukuafu was active and brave but will find her passes need to be more consistent at the international level. Several forwards were guilty of poor ball presentation when tackled—this led to some tackles and holding-on penalties, and trouble. 

Tafuna and Haungatau and captain Mae Sagapolu (before she succumbed to a cramp) were outstanding. Cunningham impressed in the final 30 minutes, and on attack Adegoke caused Canada all sorts of problems. Sereana Volaono and Leila Opeti laid in some teeth-rattling tackles. 

But there is more to do. The USA scrum gave up too many penalties—it was a little harsh, as Canada repeatedly bailed on their binds but, since they stayed on their feet, heard no whistle. Canada’s habit of not rolling away was punished late in the game, but the USA will have to work harder to get those limp bodies out of the ruck or at least appeal for help from the referee.