Former Central Washington All American Tim Stanfill scored two spectacular tries and Adam Siddall kicked two penalties to lead the USA Selects to an imperfect but ultimately successful 16-3 victory over Canada A in Round 2 of the Americas Rugby Championship Wednesday night in Langford, BC.

 

This was the second year in a row that the USA team had beaten Canada, and really it should have been a much more emphatic victory. The USA Selects were better in many phases of the game, but made some critical mistakes that prevent them from scoring. Meanwhile, Canada A played poorly, making handling errors, committing infractions at the scrum, and struggling to win their own lineout. It was an uncharacteristically timid performance by a Canadian national team, and a tough, hard-nosed effort by the USA.

 

The USA started the game intent on kicking for territory, and overall it was a good move. Canada couldn't get out of their own end, and were put under pressure repeatedly by thumping punts from flyhalf Siddall.

 

The first try came after Siddall sent a long kick into the Canadian 22. The kick was returned, but Siddall fielded it and sent a high up-and-under that the Americans were able to retrieve. After a scrum and some good pressure through the phases, hands out to Stanfill saw the Seattle Saracens wing soar in for a try.

 

Later on a kick to the corner looked to set up another score. On the chase, fullback Troy Hall blocked the clearance kick from Canada A fullback Pat Kay. Hall could well have picked up the ball and scored, but the ball rolled to Siddall, also in pursuit, and he went in to score. The problem was, Siddall was in front of Hall when Hall blocked the ice, and thus in an offside position. No try.

 

Siddall, had already put over an impressive penalty kick and played well overall.

 

The USA team defended with tenacity, with BYU star Kyle Sumsion, former Utah product John Cullen, and former Cal captain Lou Stanfill especially active on defense. The defensive pressure caused a few Canadian balls to be spilled, and one allowed Tim Maupin to pounce on it. The former St. Mary's All American booted the ball downfield and timed his run nicely to get the big bounce. But despite having no one near him, Maupin, who had a clear run to the tryline, dropped the ball.

 

Those two errors cost the USA a likely 12 points, and ended the first half with the score only 8-0.

 

But despite one penalty goal, Canada A just couldn't get it going. They were set back on their heels by the USA defensive front, and also by their own errors. The game stood at 8-3 for a long while until another Canadian movement out wide ended with a dropped ball. Stanfill the wing swooped in, scooped up the ball, and was away into the corner for the backbreaker. Siddall added a long-range penalty, and that was it for the scoring. It wasn't pretty, but the USA, especially in terms of tactical awareness and defense, were the better team. Canada A will be shaking their heads at an error-strewn effort.

 

USA Selects 16

Tries: T. Stanfill 2

Pens: Siddall 2

 

Canada A 3

Pens: McRorie

Meanwhile the Argentina Jaguars beat Uruguay 31-9 to move to 2-0. Argentina and Canada play Sunday at 4:30pm PT, while the USA can clinch 2nd with a win over Uruguay Sunday at 2:30pm PT.