USA Rugby Secures 36-12 Win Over Tonga To Remain Undefeated In November
USA Rugby Secures 36-12 Win Over Tonga To Remain Undefeated In November
USA Eagles secure a historic 36-12 win over Tonga, showing major growth in defense, set-piece dominance, and team cohesion under Scott Lawrence’s guidance
In a landmark performance on Saturday night, the USA Eagles claimed their first victory over Tonga since their initial meeting in 1999, marking only their second-ever win over the formidable Pacific Islanders. The Eagles' success came amid notable milestones, with Mark O’Keeffe and Mikey Grandy making impressive debuts and captain Greg Peterson celebrating his 50th test cap—a remarkable achievement for the seasoned leader.
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Tonga came out of the gates with intensity, applying high-tempo pressure in a bid to unsettle the Eagles. Their quick offloads and relentless pace initially found gaps in the USA defence, allowing Tonga to break through for the first try, taking an early 7-0 lead. However, the Eagles quickly recalibrated, adjusting their defensive shape and tightening up their lines to prevent further advances.
After absorbing Tonga’s initial barrage, the Eagles shifted into offensive gear. Mitch Wilson’s impressive break into Tonga’s territory set up the first scoring opportunity. Although a high-tackle penalty momentarily halted the Eagles' progress, they regrouped and built a powerful maul from the line-out, allowing Dominic Besag to cross the line and get the USA on the board.
The Eagles' defensive discipline paid off in the scrums and set pieces, where they outmanoeuvred Tonga and capitalized on critical turnovers. After forcing Tonga into a collapsing scrum, Jason Damm broke a tackle to score, with AJ MacGinty converting to put the Eagles up 12-7. The USA then added to their lead with another line-out maul close to Tonga’s try line, where Jack Iscaro powered through to score, increasing the Eagles’ lead.
Though Tonga fought back with their own tries and set-piece pressure, the Eagles maintained control. Even after Mitch Wilson received a 20-minute red card for a high tackle, leaving the USA a man down, they kept their composure. O’Keeffe’s debut was impactful, as he helped secure field position and clear their lines under intense Tongan pressure. Down a player, the USA's forwards continued to dominate the maul, forcing Tonga into conceding key penalties.
Starting the second half with one less player, the Eagles showed resilience and strategic acumen. Ruben de Haas intercepted a Tongan pass and sprinted for a stunning try, swinging momentum further in the Eagles’ favour. Tonga quickly answered with a try of their own, but the Eagles responded once more with AJ MacGinty finding the line to extend the USA’s lead.
With Wilson returning to the field, the Eagles resumed full strength and continued to assert control. O’Keeffe’s pace created another scoring opportunity deep in Tonga’s territory, leading to a penalty kick, which MacGinty converted to bring the score to 36-12.
What USA Rugby Win Over Tonga Means
The Eagles’ 36-12 win over Tonga showcased the team's progress under Head Coach Scott Lawrence. In a post-match interview, Lawrence credited the team’s straightforward approach: “When we keep it simple, hold the ball, and drive forward, we’re quite athletic in the middle of the field, so we were able to get some traction in this game.” He also praised the team’s resilience in physical battles, stating, “Tonga was winning the collisions early, but as we settled in, we became more accurate in the contact area. That was the turning point in the physical game.”
Looking ahead to their next match against Spain, Lawrence emphasized the importance of “sustaining pressure” and converting opportunities within the opposition’s 22-meter zone. With their depth, defensive discipline, and a steady infusion of younger talent, the Eagles appear well-positioned for continued success.
This victory, built on a foundation of cohesive defence, effective set-pieces, and the strength of emerging players, stands as a benchmark in the Eagles' journey. It provides a confident springboard as they prepare for the challenges ahead in their ongoing development under Lawrence's guidance.
USA Rugby
1. Jack Iscaro, 2. Shilo Klein, 3. Alex Maughan, 4. Jason Damm, 5. Greg Peterson (C), 6. Viliami Helu, 7. Cory Daniel, 8. Paddy Ryan, 9. Ruben de Haas, 10. AJ MacGinty, 11.Nate Augspurger, 12. Tavite Lopeti, 13. Dominic Besag, 14. Conner Mooneyham, 15. Mitch Wilson
Replacements
16. Kapeli Pifeleti, 17. Jake Turnbull, 18. Paul Mullen, 19. Tomas Casares, 20. Mikey Grandy, 21. Ethan McVeigh, 22. Mark O'Keeffe, 23. Luke Carty
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