The United States lost its seventh-straight World Series contest Saturday, falling 43-7 to New Zealand in its second pool match of the day in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The game began well enough for the USA, though it’s notable regular All Black starters like Tomasi Cama, DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson all started the game on the bench.
The Eagles took the first possession after New Zealand opted for a long kickoff and worked through several phases. A Zack Test break put them in the attacking end, and New Zealand was pinged for a penalty at the breakdown, giving the USA a prime scoring opportunity. However, Andrew Durutalo quick tapped and was caught without support. New Zealand turned the ball over and went directly in for the try.
Carlin Isles, getting the rare start, answered immediately back. He got the ball on the perimeter, dummied inside, burned his man to the outside and cut inside the sweeper for the leveling try. Folau Niua converted.
The blistering pace of the game continued as New Zealand took the ensuing restart. The All Blacks were awarded a penalty around the attacking 22 and caught the Eagles without enough defenders, leading to a Sherwin Stowers try. Andrew Durutalo was called for an egregious penalty at a ruck immediately after the restart, and Stowers went in for his second score in short order. His third came just before halftime, putting the Eagles down 22-7 going into the break.
The United States managed just three real possessions in the second half. One was kicked away by Test, one was thrown away by Niua, and the final one was with no time left on the clock and resulted in the ball dribbling out of bounds. New Zealand poured in three more converted tries to round out the scoring. Two were dotted down by Gillies Kaka, who like Stowers, ended the game with a hat trick.
The Eagles are left to battle for a better draw in the Bowl Quarterfinals against Portugal in their final pool match of the day. Portugal was the last team the USA beat, in the Gold Coast Shield Final.
New Zealand 43
Tries: Stowers 3, Kaka 3, Raikabula
Cons: Kaka 4
USA 7
Tries: Isles
Cons: Niua