With the proposed match against Ireland in Las Vegas cancelled and no European tour in November, the Eagles bring a close to their season and are now on hiatus until their World Cup Qualifying series against Chile in July. When play resumed the Eagles were left with only 14 men and with time expired TJ Perenara’s try put the score over the century mark.
There was a prolonged stoppage in play as USA flanker Andrew Guerra was carted off the field after suffering a serious leg injury in the build up to the Coles try. Beauden Barrett was next to find the line, followed by a third for Jordan and one from Dane Coles. Anton Lienert-Brown went over in the corner with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a replacement just seconds before. Carty nailed the sideline conversion.Ĭelebrations returned to frowns before the Eagles could catch their breath. The veteran winger had the strength to keep his legs in the air and ground the ball as Jordan attempted to pull him into touch. Augspurger went quick at a penalty and with the New Zealand defense on retreat, a quick recycle put Matyas in a one-on-one against Jordan. Some brief respite was offered before Dalton Papali’i strode through to become the eighth All Black to touch down.Ī second try would come to the USA through Ryan Matyas. Hopes for a more concerted defensive effort from the USA were dashed instantly as Ta’avao crossed for a brace in the first minute of the second half. The scrumhalf turned McKenzie inside out to touch down under the posts with Luke Carty adding the extras. Nate Brakeley’s dummy line held the post defense and Augspurger shot through the gap that opened up.
The Eagles finally got a break with a bit of individual magic from Nate Augspurger. Jordan then notched his double followed by a try to Quinn Tupaea before a run-in under the posts for prop Angus Ta’avao made it 59-nil. Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie were next, followed by a second from Jacobson and one to Richie Mo’unga. Within minutes Ethan de Groot was over for their second, and like clockwork the tries began to rain in from every angle. Damian McKenzie took the outside on Bryce Campbell and when the Eagles captain dove to attempt the tackle he took out Ryan James, leaving a clear run down the line with the finish for Luke Jacobson. It was the worst possible start for the USA as the All Blacks raced in for a try on the opening kickoff. The result was the second-highest score ever against the USA behind only England’s 106-8 win at Twickenham in 1999. New Zealand were playing in honor of their fallen comrade Sean Wainui and were in no mood to take it easy on their hosts. The All Blacks put the USA to the sword in the nation’s capital on Saturday with the final score reading 104-14 to the visitors.