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US storms to win as Russia flops on debut
Source: Agencies |
September 16, 2011, Friday
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AS the Rugby World Cup reaches the end of its first week, injuries have begun to impinge on the plans of most teams.
No. 1-ranked New Zealand was forced to make three late changes yesterday to its starting lineup for a Pool A match against Japan when it lost captain Richie McCaw, fullback Mils Muliaina and utility Israel Dagg to injuries in a single training session.
At the same time, defending champion South Africa received some respite from a growing injury crisis when veteran lock Bakkies Botha was passed fit to play against Fiji today.
One team that wasn't feeling any pain despite a physically bruising encounter was the US Eagles, who held off World Cup rookie Russia 13-6 to register only their third win ever at rugby's marquee event.
Scrumhalf Mike Petri scored the only try of the match while fullback Chris Wyles kicked a conversion and two penalties for the United States. Yury Kushnarev and Konstantin Rachkov kicked penalties for Russia, which was the last team to open its campaign in this World Cup.
"It's an awesome feeling," US captain Todd Clever said. "I'm proud of the boys for sticking through."
The Americans opened the 2011 with a 10-22 loss to Ireland on September 11, extending their losing streak to six matches dating back to a win over Japan in 2003.
"It was a great victory for us. We knew coming off the Ireland game, we put a lot of work in and we had something to build on," US coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.
"I'm very happy with the win. I thought we deserved the win based on what we played, but it went right down to the end."
After seven days, all 20 nations at the World Cup have played at least once.
Coaches of all 20 teams will have considered the impact of injuries and most will have studded their 30-man squads with players whose versatility allows them to cover contingencies. But a sudden accumulation of injuries - three in one day for New Zealand, or several centered on one position as in the case of the Springboks - test the depth and preparedness of any team.
Until yesterday, the Springboks had only bad news on the injury front, particularly among the locks. Botha was reportedly not responding to treatment on an Achilles tendon injury, Victor Matfield was sidelined with a hamstring strain and Johann Muller faced a fitness test before being confirmed on the bench against Fiji.
While Matfield remains out of action for 10 days and Muller still has a fitness test to pass.
No. 1-ranked New Zealand was forced to make three late changes yesterday to its starting lineup for a Pool A match against Japan when it lost captain Richie McCaw, fullback Mils Muliaina and utility Israel Dagg to injuries in a single training session.
At the same time, defending champion South Africa received some respite from a growing injury crisis when veteran lock Bakkies Botha was passed fit to play against Fiji today.
One team that wasn't feeling any pain despite a physically bruising encounter was the US Eagles, who held off World Cup rookie Russia 13-6 to register only their third win ever at rugby's marquee event.
Scrumhalf Mike Petri scored the only try of the match while fullback Chris Wyles kicked a conversion and two penalties for the United States. Yury Kushnarev and Konstantin Rachkov kicked penalties for Russia, which was the last team to open its campaign in this World Cup.
"It's an awesome feeling," US captain Todd Clever said. "I'm proud of the boys for sticking through."
The Americans opened the 2011 with a 10-22 loss to Ireland on September 11, extending their losing streak to six matches dating back to a win over Japan in 2003.
"It was a great victory for us. We knew coming off the Ireland game, we put a lot of work in and we had something to build on," US coach Eddie O'Sullivan said.
"I'm very happy with the win. I thought we deserved the win based on what we played, but it went right down to the end."
After seven days, all 20 nations at the World Cup have played at least once.
Coaches of all 20 teams will have considered the impact of injuries and most will have studded their 30-man squads with players whose versatility allows them to cover contingencies. But a sudden accumulation of injuries - three in one day for New Zealand, or several centered on one position as in the case of the Springboks - test the depth and preparedness of any team.
Until yesterday, the Springboks had only bad news on the injury front, particularly among the locks. Botha was reportedly not responding to treatment on an Achilles tendon injury, Victor Matfield was sidelined with a hamstring strain and Johann Muller faced a fitness test before being confirmed on the bench against Fiji.
While Matfield remains out of action for 10 days and Muller still has a fitness test to pass.
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