 |
 |
 |
The United States capped off what can’t be described as anything other than a deflating Day One in Dubai with a 41-7 loss to Canada. The Eagles were never in the contest, failing to string together much possession at all, and finished the day 0-3.
Conor Trainor drew first blood for Canada, going in on a short-range crash ball after the Maple Leafs had worked sideline to sideline and to within a few meters of the try line. Canada gained possession from an American knock-on.
The Eagles knocked on in the fight for the ensuing restart, the Canadians won the scrum, and Phil Mack exploded from the set piece and darted deep into American territory before giving the ball up, where it wound up in Harry Jones’ hands for a try. 12-0 to Canada.
The Eagles then finally got their first meaningful possession, but Steven Tomasin kicked it away in an attempt to chase down the ball for a try. John Moonlight beat him there, and Canada would turn that possession into a score. It was a missed tackle from Tomasin that allowed Harry Jones his second try.
Canada slammed the door shut at the very onset of the second half, when Nick Edwards was caught out of position after a lineout and Justin Douglas ran in.
The USA got on the board on the next kickoff. Durutalo took the ball after it had been tapped by Canada, and he offloaded to Folau Niua, who went in untouched. Converted, the try left the USA down 17 with four minutes to play.
Canada’s Mack struck again to tease the score line up, taking a won scrum the distance this time. The Americans won the ball in the initial put in, but it was called back and another scrum was ordered. Mack simply beat Tomasin out of the gates off the breakdown and was never caught.
Mack added to his highlight reel by dribbling the ball into the try zone with his feet, tapping it first with his left and next with his right, before dramatically diving to ground it for the try.
Jones wouldn’t let Mack have all the fun, as he ran in a hat-trick try to complete the embarrassingly convincing win over the USA.
Canada 41
Tries: Mack 2, Jones 3, Douglas, Trainor
Cons: Mack 3
USA 7
Tries: Niua
Cons: Niua