Rugby World Cup Match Report - Australia 67 - 5 USA

 

Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a wonderful second half hat-trick as the Wallabies withheld some early pressure to win comfortably against the USA.

Eleven tries to one, the Wallabies avenged their defeat to Ireland last week and were clinical and faultless at times.

First Half

Australia took a ten point lead early on through tries from Rob Horne and Rocky Elsom, neither try able to be converted by Quade Cooper.

The USA found their feet in the game and began to apply some unexpected pressure and looked dangerous on the attack, being rewarded with a score from JJ Gagiano, the pressure from the Eagles finally breaching the stout Wallabies defence.

The USA continued to apply the pressure, keeping the wallabies on the back foot.

Their opponents class shone through though as when Kevin
Swiryn knocked on in midfield, the break was on and Beale had too much pace as he touched down under the uprights.

Horne almost had a second try when he breached the line, only to be stopped just short before offloading to Faingaa to secure a first half bonus point, Quade Cooper pulling the conversion left.

Australia were looking more dangerous as each minute passed, as the Eagles were made to pay for some sloppy handling.

Half Time Australia 22-5 USA

Second Half

The second half began scrappily, the USA having the majority of possession early on though not getting any territory with it.

Berrick Barnes broke through the line and almost crossed over, but his side earned a penalty five metres out opting for a scrum.

After a second scrum, Mitchell got the ball from Genia and was rewarded for running a brilliant line, scoring easily to the left of the posts.

The Wallabies started to hit their straps and replacement Pat McCabe finished off a well-executed move.

Cooper's night with the boot went from bad to worse as he missed a third conversion on the night, but the job had been done.

The Americans couldn't get a footing back in the game as handling errors put an end to any promising phases of play.

After more pressure from Australia, Ashley-Cooper added his side's seventh try with simple passing rugby to touch down in the corner.

Ashley-Cooper added a second when he collected a loose ball and ran clear 50 metres to score easily.

Barnes added the conversion as the Wallabies moved into exhibition mode.

Ashley Cooper completed a remarkable six minute hat-trick as he capped off a good spell of possession for his side.

It seemed the only thing delaying the Australian procession was the TMO, but even that went the Wallabies' way, Faingaa racking up a second try of the match for him.

Barnes perfect record was blemished when he missed the tough conversion from the touchline, though it wouldn't have any bearing on the result.

America's night went from bad to worse when Blaine Scully was sin-binned for a professional foul, before Radike Samo ran over for an eleventh Australian score.

The performance was marred by a horrific injury to Faingaa, the player's head colliding with an American knee.

With the clock already in the red, the game was stopped immediately much to the credit of referee Nigel Owens.

Final Score Australia 67-5 USA

Verdict: The result will go some way to resurrecting their defeat to Ireland last week and looked amazing at times.

The USA were the architects of their own downfall at times, seeing promising attacks quelled by handling errors.

The Wallabies will now be preparing for what is looking like a quarter-final against the Springboks with Robbie Deans' men easing the pressure on themselves for the time being.

Man of the Match: Adam Ashley-Cooper: Though the match was beyond doubt, Ashley-Cooper's six minute hat-trick knocked any momentum out of the USA's sails.