U19 2007 RWC - USA Edge into RWC Semi Final Berth
11 Apr 2007
USA overcame Zimbabwe 22-7 in their final Division B pool match at Queen's, but then faced a nervous wait to see if they had done enough to qualify for the semi finals of the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007.
Both sides came into the match with dreams of finishing in the top four, the USA having won their two previous games to post eight points with Zimbabwe on five points after beating Georgia and losing to Canada.
It was the USA who started the stronger of the two sides with their pack winning the majority of ball at the breakdown, and their play was rewarded when fly half Hamish Roberts held his nerve to kick a penalty in the 10th minute, having missed with his previous attempt.
Zimbabwe knew that they would need a win and bonus point to boost their chances of reaching the semi finals and therefore tried to play a fluid, attacking style of rugby. However their back line simply couldn’t get enough of the ball to trouble the USA’s stubborn defence.
The USA stretched their 3-0 advantage on the half hour when inside centre Jack Tracy rounded off a period of sustained pressure with a try and three minutes later number 8 Taylor Mokate scored his side’s second to give them a 15-0 lead at half time.
The match resumed as a very close affair with both sides giving away possession in the middle of the park and it was Zimbabwe who grabbed the first try of the second half to haul themselves back into the match, a neat back line move seeing Tapuwanashe Chitima cut between the centres to score under the posts.
Zimbabwe threatened to make it a very tense finale, but a strong effort from the USA forwards led to replacement Shawn Pittman going over the try line after a series of set pieces to make certain of victory.
QUOTES
Zimbabwe captain Andrew Rose: “We lost another game and it’s always disappointing but we’ve got to pull our socks up and go to the next game. The guys have really enjoyed it, a lot of the guys have never been to the UK before. We’re now hoping to finish in the top six.”
Zimbabwe coach Godwin Murambiwa: “I thought we’d have done better but the opposition had done their homework. Their set pieces were well prepared and that’s where they got their scores.”
USA captain Scott Lavalla: “The guys are absolutely delighted. At this moment everyone’s just enjoying the win. We’re out their playing for each other above all and I attribute the win to that. We knew coming in we’d have to perform to succeed.”
USA coach SaltyThompson: “I feel great. You think 3 – 0 will get us through. Our starters are really dominating teams and our bench players are good too. We wanted to raise the intensity and that came through.”
