The USA Eagles started off slow in their 4th match of the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship. After conceding the first 18 points of the match, the Eagles came within 1, following tries by Joe Taufete’e, Aladdin Shirmer and Niku Kruger. However, a late penalty by Brazil’s Moises Duque ended that run, as Brazil took a historic 24 / 23 victory.

The match seemed to go the way of Brazil almost from the start, as the Eagles conceded 2 penalties leading to points in the 1st 6 minutes. The 1st penalty following the Eagles being called offside in an early maul, the 2nd following a call against Kingsley McGowan for interfering with a Brazil kick.

It wasn’t long before the Brazil attack would break through the Eagles defense yet again, this time for their 1st try. Following an Eagles lineout in Brazilian territory, the home team recovered possession with a steal and nearly a length-of-pitch run. The Eagles recovered but a kick to change field possession was taken nearly 50m by Brazil’s Daniel Sancery, through multiple would-be tacklers, to put the home side up 13 / 0.

The Eagles’ scrum seemed to let them down in their 4th match of the Americas Rugby Championship, falling victim to a strong Brazilian push throughout the 1st half. Perhaps the finest example of the Brazilian scrum success came in the 22nd minute when Brazil’s Lucas Duque picked up the ball following a strong push and slipped past the Eagles defense. Following a missed conversion, Brazil led 18 / 0 and had total control of the momentum.

After the 1st 30 minutes of the match, the Eagles started to gain their composure and started to control possession. The Eagles put together a strong run of 8 phases, ending in a Penalty Try for James Bird. Bird completed the conversion kick and finally got the Eagles on the board, though still trailing 18 / 3 through 31 minutes.

Head Coach John Mitchell made his 1st substitution at the 35th minute, replacing youngster Demecus Beach with veteran Eric Fry. From there, it seemed the Eagles would gain some added stability to the forward pack and looked to change their fortunes.

Eagle Joseph Taufete’e scored the 2nd try of his international career, and 2nd of the Americas Rugby Championship after 38 minutes, after a bruising run. Following a quick ball from Niku Kruger, Taufete’e ran through 4 Brazilian defenders to cut the lead to 18 / 8. The Bird conversion attempt was missed.

As the half was coming to an end, Brazilian flanker André Arruda, in his ARC debut, was sinbinned for a shoulder charge.

At the start of the 2nd half, the Eagles found themselves again working to stop a strong Brazil push in their own territory. An improved Eagles scrum held the Brazilians, and gained a penalty to escape danger. With momentum on their side, the Eagles managed their 2nd try when Bird attacked a gap in midfield and after passing inside, debutant Aladdin Schrimer scored the Eagles’ unconverted, try.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, Brazil’s Yellow Card duration ended and they were back to a full 15. Nearly immediately following, Moises Duque continued to hurt the Eagles by notching his 3rd penalty. Now trailing 21 / 13, the Eagles had to fight through fatigue and the Brazilian heat to get back within a score.

The Eagles fought bravely however and cut the lead again. Showing off with offloads from Andrew Suniula and Mikey Te’o on the outside wing, an Eagle run ended with a Niku Kruger try. Now down by only 1, it seemed the scale had completely tipped in the USA’s favour.

Down 1 point with only 10 minutes left to play, the Eagles won a penalty deep in Brazil territory, in front of the posts. Niku Kruger’s penalty kick was strong and true, giving the Eagles a sudden 23 / 21 lead – their 1st of the day. With just over 4 minutes remaining, the Eagles again won a penalty but showed their respect for the home side by taking a penalty kick from behind the halfway line. Replacement JP Eloff came up short, after missing from almost 55m.

Now with only 2 minutes left on the clock, the Eagles tried to run out the clock, but lost possession in the Brazilian half via a penalty. Their scrum again let them down as the forward pack was pushed back a few meters. Brazil took the opportunity to win field possession.

With Arena Baureri rocking, the Tupis of Brazil looked to make 1 last push from the lineout. It was the Eagles who gave Brazil 1 last chance though, as they were penalized for offside at the maul.

As he had all night, Moises Duque made the Eagles pay. From the 15m line, Duque kicked the winning penalty.

Brazil will host Argentina in the last Round of the Americas Rugby Championship. The USA Rugby Eagles, who continue to lead the table with the Argentina XV and Canada completing on Sunday, now travel to Montevideo to play against Uruguay.

Teams:

USA Eagles:

1. Demecus Beach
2. Joseph Taufete’e
3. Olive Kilifi (Captain)
4. Brodie Orth
5. Ben Landry
6. James King
7. Aladdin Schirmer
8. David Tameilau
9. Niku Kruger
10. James Bird
11. Ryan Matyas
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Mike Garrity
14. Kingsley McGowan
15. Jake Anderson

Replacements:
16. Cameron Falcon
17. Eric Fry
18. Mike Sosene-Feagai
19. Hanco Germishuys
20. Mike Te’o
21. JP Eloff
22. Tim Stanfill
23. Chad London

Brazil:

1. Lucas Abud
2. Yan Rosetti
3. Wilton Rebolo
4. Lucas Piero Moraes
5. Luis Vieira
6. Andrew Arruda
7. Joao Luiz das Ros
8. Nicholas Smith
9. Lucas Duque
10. Moises Duque
11. Laurent Couhet
12. Martin Schaefer
13. Felipe Sancery
14. Stefano Giantorno
15. Daniel Sancery

Replacements:
16. Daniel Danielewicz
17. Caique Silva
18. Jonatas Paulo
19. Diego López
20. Gabriel Paganini
21. Guilherme Coghetto
22. Johannes Beukes Cremer
23. Robert Tenorio

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