The Battle for "America 2".
Sorry Laz and Thunderchook but, GO THE MINNOWS!!!
Late fightback boosts Uruguay's RWC hopes
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Sunday 15 November 2009
Thirteen points in the last six minutes have boosted Uruguay's chances of claiming the Americas 2 spot at Rugby World Cup 2011 after the first leg of their play-off in Montevideo ended 27-22 on Saturday.
Uruguay had won only one of their 10 previous meetings with the Eagles, their most recent loss being a 43-9 defeat in Salt Lake City last year, and at 27-9 they would have been left with a mountain to climb in Florida next weekend.
However, Uruguay full back Jerónimo Etcheverry - a member of their IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy winning side of 2008 - stepped forward to kick two penalties and convert his last minute try to cut the deficit to five points at the final whistle to the delight of the 2,000 strong crowd.
The 21-year-old's fourth penalty of the night and his converted try came when Uruguay enjoyed a one-man advantage after Eagles replacement Mike Petri was sent to the sin-bin by Argentinean referee Javier Mancuso.
"We are happy to win, but honestly a bit disappointed that we gave up so many points in the last quarter." admitted Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan. "We would have liked to walk away with a larger point spread, but in the end are happy to take away the victory."
The Eagles had taken the lead in the 15th minute at the Charrúa Stadium with scrum half Tim Usasz's try, before fly half Nicolas Morales got the home side on the board with a penalty five minutes later. Another try for Kevin Swiryn and a Mike Hercus penalty, though, gave the visitors a 13-3 advantage at half time.
Centre Junior Sifa touched down eight minutes after the break and this time Hercus was able to add the conversion. Once more though Los Teros came back at their visitors with Etcheverry kicking his first penalty in the 55th minute to make it 20-6.
Uruguay's cause was not helped by the loss of prop Mario Sagario to the sin-bin just past the hour mark, and while Etcheverry kicked another penalty, the Eagles pulled further away with replacement Alipate Tuilevuka's try.
However with Uruguay's scrum and maul remaining strong, Etcheverry brought them back into the match and strengthened their chances of taking the Americas 2 place alongside two-time winners Australia, Italy, Ireland and Europe 2 in Pool C at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.
Match details
URUGUAY: 1. Rodrigo Sànchez 2. Martín Espiga 3. Mario Sagario 4. Carlos Protasi 5. Matías Fonseca 6. Nicolás Brignoni 7. Alfredo Giuria 8. Rodrigo Capó (captain) 9. Juan Campomar 10. Nicolás Morales 11. Leandro Leivas 12. Joaquín Pastore 13. Juan Llovet 14. Martín Crosa 15. Jerónimo Etcheverry.
Replacements: 16. Carlos Arboleya 17. Alejo Corral 18. Juan Rombys 19. Juan Alzueta 20. Manuel Martinez 21. Alejandro Silveira 22. Tomás Jolivet.
USA: 1. Mate Moeakiola 2. Phil Thiel 3. Will Johnson 4. John Van der Giessen 5. Hayden Smith 6. Louis Stanfill 7. Todd Clever (captain) 8. Nic Johnson 9. Tim Usasz 10. Mike Hercus 11. Kevin Swiryn 12. Junior Sifa 13. Paul Emerick 14. Takudzwa Ngwenya 15. Chris Wyles.
Replacements: 16. Brian McClenahan 17. Jacob Sprague 18. Alec Parker 19. Jonathan Gagiano 20. Mike Petri 21. Nese Malifa 22. Pate Tuilevuka.
