USA hold off Spain to keep perfect Nations Cup record
The USA made it two wins from two in the World Rugby Nations Cup, edging out Spain 29-22 at WakeMed Soccer Park to stay right in the hunt at the top of Pool B. It was a scrappy, ill-disciplined contest at times, but the hosts had enough in the key moments to see it through.
Home
Away
M. Wilson (10'), P. Ryan (17'), J. Roberts (37'), P. Mayo (65')
Tries
T. Bay (12'), J. Manteca (31'), M. Cian (47')
C. Hilsenbeck (11', 18'), L. Carty (65')
Conversions
G. Bontempo (13', 48')
L. Carty (72')
Penalties
G. Bontempo (59')
This was the third meeting between the sides in a year, and the pattern held: another tight, low-margin win for the Eagles, who have now beaten Spain in all three recent encounters. Los Leones, so often close, again found themselves just short.
A fast start, then a scrap
The USA got their noses in front early. Mitch Wilson crossed inside the first ten minutes, Chris Hilsenbeck converted, and when Paddy Ryan burrowed over on 17 minutes the hosts led 14-0 and looked in control.
Spain, though, refused to go away. Tani Bay darted through for a scrum-half's try on 12 minutes, and Jaime Manteca, only just introduced off the bench, finished on 31 minutes to level the tie at 14-12. Gonzalo Lopez Bontempo was accurate off the tee and kept Spain within touching distance throughout.
The USA's cause was not helped by a yellow card to Perry Mayo on 27 minutes, but they still managed to reassert control before the break. Julian Roberts crossed on 37 minutes to make it 19-12 at half-time, a lead that felt about right given the balance of territory and possession.
The contest swings early in the second half
Spain came out with intent after the interval. Martiniano Cian, comfortably the game's most dangerous carrier, sliced through for a try on 47 minutes, and Bontempo's conversion tied it at 19-19. When the same man landed a penalty on 59 minutes, Spain led 22-19 and had the momentum.
That period is where the match was really decided, though not the way Spain would have wanted. The USA bench made the difference. Luke Carty, on at fly-half, steadied things, and it was Perry Mayo — earlier in the bin — who atoned by scoring on 65 minutes. Carty converted to nudge the hosts back in front at 26-22, then added a penalty on 72 minutes to stretch the margin to seven.
Spain had chances to respond but could not find a way back. Ruben de Haas missed a late drop-goal attempt for the hosts, but by then the USA were managing the clock and the scoreboard with reasonable calm.
Where the match was won
The numbers point to a USA side that carried harder and made more happen with ball in hand. They ran the ball 87 times to Spain's 58, made five clean breaks to two, and beat 23 defenders to 13. That volume of carrying kept Spain on the back foot for long spells.
The set-piece told a similar story. The USA scrum went at 100% on their own feed, and their lineout returned 94%, giving them a reliable platform. Spain's lineout, at 82%, was less secure, and their scrum came under some pressure.
Discipline was the one blot for the hosts — ten penalties conceded and that Mayo yellow card — but Spain could not make it count. The visitors also missed 26 tackles to the USA's 14, and that leakiness in defence is what let the Eagles' carriers do their damage.
Match Stats
CARRIES
CLEAN BREAK
DEFENDER BEATEN
TACKLE
MISSED TACKLE
TURNOVER WON
TURNOVERS CONCEDED
PENALTY CONCEDED
YELLOW CARD
POSSESSION
SCRUMS
LINEOUTS
Standout performers
- Martiniano Cian (Spain) was the best attacking player on the pitch, making 72 metres from just four carries with two clean breaks, five defenders beaten and a try. On another day he would have been on the winning side.
- Luke Carty changed the tempo off the USA bench, kicking a conversion and a penalty and steering the closing quarter after replacing Hilsenbeck.
- Dominic Besag was a busy carrier in the USA midfield, making 39 metres and a clean break.
- Gabriel Velez did the hard yards in defence for Spain with 15 tackles, while lock Manex Ariceta added 13.
USA
- 1Jack Iscaroloosehead prop
- 2Kapeli Pifeletihooker
- 3Tonga Kofetighthead prop
- 4Nathan Den Hoedtsecond row
- 5Brandon Harveysecond row
- 6Cory Danielflanker
- 7Paddy Ryanflanker
- 8Jason Dammnumber eight
- 9Ruben de Haasscrum half
- 10Chris Hilsenbeckfly half
- 11Perry Mayoleft wing
- 12Dominic Besaginside centre
- 13Julian Robertsoutside centre
- 14Mark O'Keefferight wing
- 15Mitch Wilsonfull back
- 16Shilo KleinSubstitute
- 17Ezekiel LindenmuthSubstitute
- 18Charlie AbelSubstitute
- 19Nafi Ma'afuSubstitute
- 20Benjamin BonassoSubstitute
- 21Ethan McVeighSubstitute
- 22Luke CartySubstitute
- 23Tavite LopetiSubstitute
Spain
- 1Luca Tabarotloosehead prop
- 2Alvaro Garciahooker
- 3Hugo Pirlettighthead prop
- 4Manex Aricetasecond row
- 5Antonio Suarezsecond row
- 6Gabriel Velezflanker
- 7Ignacio Pineiroflanker
- 8Ekain Imaznumber eight
- 9Tani Bayscrum half
- 10Gonzalo Lopez Bontempofly half
- 11Alberto Carmonaleft wing
- 12Alvar Gimenoinside centre
- 13Martiniano Cianoutside centre
- 14Gauthier Minguillonright wing
- 15John Wessel Bellfull back
- 16Santiago OvejeroSubstitute
- 17Thierry FuteuSubstitute
- 18Jon ZabalaSubstitute
- 19Vicente BoronatSubstitute
- 20Diego GonzalezSubstitute
- 21Kerman AurrekoetxeaSubstitute
- 22Inaki MateuSubstitute
- 23Jaime MantecaSubstitute
Plenty for Spain to build on
Spain will be frustrated rather than despondent. They matched the USA for much of the contest, led early in the second half, and had the game's outstanding runner in Cian. Bontempo's goal-kicking kept them in it and their forwards worked hard in the tackle. But the missed tackles and a second-half wobble in the set-piece cost them, and once the USA bench swung the momentum back, Spain never quite got going again.
For the USA, this was a workmanlike win rather than a polished one. The discipline needs tidying up, but two from two is exactly where they wanted to be.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Georgia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 14 | W W W |
| 2 |  Portugal | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 12 | W W L |
| 3 |  Romania | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -16 | 3 | 09 | W D L |
| 4 |  Spain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 07 | W D |
| 5 |  Hong Kong | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | -66 | 1 | 05 | W L L |
| 6 |  Zimbabwe | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -26 | 1 | 01 | L L L |
Both sides now turn their attention to Round 3, with plenty still to play for in the pool.