The USA leaves the 2015 Rugby World Cup without any victories, and in the team’s final game, just a glimpse of what they can do.

Japan defeated the Eagles 28-18 Sunday at Kingsholm in Gloucester to drop the USA to 0-4 in pool play, and put Japan at 3-1, albeit not a good enough 3-1 to make the quarterfinals.

In the end, the USA was not polished enough, not smart enough, and …

The Eagles began the game on defense and spent large periods tackling. And when they got the ball, three times in the early going they were called for a forward pass, putting them again on the back foot. But the USA did get an early lead when flyhalf AJ MacGInty kicked over a long-range penalty.

But part of the story of the game was that every time they got some momentum, the Eagles handed it right back. Soon after the penalty the Eagles backs left a big hole for Japan to race through. There might have been some obstruction, but there was no call, and the Japanese swarmed in, won the ruck, and spun it wide where wing Kotaru Matsushima easily outpace prop Titi Lamositele for the try. Down 7-3 the Eagles tested Japan by finding more for wing Taku Ngwenya to do, and Thetton Palamo also caused problems, while Samu Manoa had a massive game putting in some massive hits. All of this produced a penalty in the Japanese half and set up a lineout at the Japan 5-meter. But the ball was spilled out of the maul, and that chance was gone.

But the Eagles kept up the pressure and while Seamus Kelly took contact instead of using an overload, they kept it up and eventually a long pass from Chris Wyles put Ngwenya in at the corner.

Up 8-7 the Eagles gave it right back when Hayden Smith missed the ball on the restart and the Brave Blossoms again punished a USA mistake and wing Yoshikazu Fujita was the tiny man in the maul of big men to score. 

Ayumu Goromaru kicked a penalty to make it 17-8.

Once again the USA had chances to score, and ended the first half right on the Japan line. But knock-ons and mistakes killed them, with the final error being the forwards going into contact too high, being stopped, and forcing a scrum.

In the second half, the USA got into penalty trouble and only some desperate defensive efforts at their goal line prevented Japan from running away with it. Both Andrew Durutalo and MacGinty made key tackles and steals right on their own tryline.

But Goromaru did get a penalty to make it 20-8. The Eagles seemed to surge after that and had a good attacking opportunity. Ngwenya looked to be away at one point but was just caught. Eventually they took a penalty opportunity to make it 20-11.

But again the Eagles seemed set to give the momentum away, and were left defending their line. Eric Fry was caught kicking the ball from the scrumhalf’s hands, and got a yellow card for his efforts, and from that Japan easily scored.

But after that the Eagles looked the better team. Some powerful running, especially from Zack Test and Danny Barrett, got them close and then a long pass out to Wyles made it, with MacGinty’s majestic conversion, 25-18.   

But what could have been a stirring comeback didn’t happen that way. Manoa regained the restart, but the Eagles were tiring and their discipline waned, giving up a penalty that Goromaru slotted easily. And while the Americans broke through for another charge, knock-ons plagued them still. 28-18, the game, and the World Cup, ended.

For Japan it was an impressive performance, although despite going 3-1 they don’t make the quarterfinals because South Africa and Scotland had more bonus points. 

For the USA, it was once again a game where the good was mixed in with too much bad.

“We talk all the time about potential, but I think it’s time we fulfilled that potential,” said captain Chris Wyles. 

Simple as that.

In the game itself, Andrew Durutalo was outstanding, claiming five turnovers - easily the most in the game - and breaking the gain line. Manoa, despite missing three tackles, was a wrecking machine and tried to be everywhere. Palamo was the USA’s best attacker out wide, although Ngwenya and Test did very well there. The scrum held firm, but in open play the tight five was too slow. Hayden Smith went off injured at 31 minutes, replaced by Cam Dolan, who was as good as he has been all tournament. 

Mike Petri continued to be everything the USA team needs to be.

But there weren’t enough constant plays, and the USA game plan involved giving the ball away through kicks far too much. No wins, some honor, perhaps, but no glory, and plenty of questions going forward.

 

USA 18

Tries: Ngwenya, Wyles

Convs: MacGinty

Pens: MacGinty 2

 

Japan 28

Tries: Matsushima, Fujita, Mafi

Convs: Goromaru 2

Pens: Goromaru 3

 

 

USA
1. Eric Fry
2. Zach Fenoglio
3. Titi Lamositele
4. Hayden Smith
5. Greg Peterson
6. Al McFarland
7. Andrew Durutalo
8. Samu Manoa
9. Mike Petri
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Zack Test
12. Thretton Palamo
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya
15. Chris Wyles (C)

USA Reserves
16. Phil Thiel at 63' for Fenoglio
17. Olive Kilifi
18. Chris Baumann
19. Cameron Dolan at 31' for Smith
20. John Quill at 77' for Peterson
21. Danny Barrett at 64' for McFarland
22. Niku Kruger
23. Folau Niua

Japan
1. Keita Inagaki
2. Shota Horie
3. Hiroshi Yamashita
4. Luke Thompson
5. Justin Ives
6. Michael Leitch (C)
7. Michael Broadhurst
8. Ryu Koliniasi Holani
9. Fumiaki Tanaka
10. Kosei Ono
11. Kotaro Matsushima
12. Craig Wing
13. Harumichi Tatekawa
14. Yoshikazu Fujita
15. Ayumu Goromaru

Japan  Reserves
16. Takeshi Kizu
17. Masataka Mikami
18. Kensuke Hatakeyama
19. Shinya Makabe
20. Amanaki Lelei Mafi
21. Hendrik Tui
22. Atsushi Hiwasa
23. Karne Hesketh