(Houston) Poor setpieces and limited attacking penetration squelched America's upset hopes in Saturday's 30-10 loss to Italy, a scoreline that understates the visitors' dominance.
Played before a record crowd in atrocious weather, the end-of-season match also showed up the hosts' kicking game. Visiting flyhalf Riccardo Bocchino hit 5 of 6 chances for 13 points and was more effective from hand than Eagle fullback Chris Wyles, while Roland Suniula offered no tactical threat.
Though the game was tied at 10 after 28 minutes, the combination of shortcomings meant the US infrequently approached the Italian 22 or otherwise pressured a side chock with 8 changes from last week's 25-16 win over Canada. The second-half dismissal of both Eagle midfielders -- which looks to be an embarassing first in international play -- sealed the outcome.
However spirited the American defense, the score was kept down by 96-degree BBVA Compass field and a lackluster Italian backline, vividly portrayed as 'bumbling clerks' by La Repubblica. (Agence France-Presse reported more directly: 'Italy thrash USA'.)
Italy's Carlo Festuccia opened the affair at 3 minutes by collecting the ball from Todd Clever, attempting to clean up Chris Biller's lineout overthrow deep in the US end, and racing in for a simple touchdown.
Wyles replied at 11 minutes, following a productive series of forward charges. But inside center Andrew Suniula gave away a penalty at the following kickoff, goaled by Bocchino. At the very next restart, the Italians returned the favor but Wyles missed, extending last week's scratchy form.
Paul Emerick then scored a well-worked try at 28 minutes. Running onto a delayed pass from Roland Suniula, who turned second-phase possession into a half break, Emerick scored his sixteenth test try while breathing life into a boisterous Texan audience.
Bocchino quickly restored the Italians to the lead with a second penalty goal, before the Azzuri pushed the US off its scrum feed and halfback Edoardo Gori feinted and then outraced the standout Luke Hume for a 35th-minute try.
With Andrew Suniula dismissed, perhaps harshly, for a late hit on Bocchino at 45 minutes, the US mounted few scoring opportunities until Wyles' long-range, fourth-quarter penalty chance, which fell short. Then Emerick was sent off in the 75th minute (of running time) for a dangerous tackle, unlike Suniula's foul a clear 'no wrap' shoulder charge.
Bochhino goaled the penalty and then replacement flyhalf Kris Burton scored close out the contest.
The loss cost the Eagles XX points but no places in the International Rugby Board rankings, while dropping America's record against Italy to 0-4.
The unbeaten USA Under 20s face 0-2 Russia tomorrow night in Salt Lake City, bidding for a place in the Junior World Trophy finals.
Madison Hughes scored three tries and 19 points goalkicking in the age-grade team's 54-25 surprisingly lopsided win over Chile Friday.
Italy 30 United States 10
United States
Tries: Paul Emerick
Conversion: Chris Wyles
Penalty; Chris Wyles
Chris Wyles; James Paterson (Colin Hawley), Paul Emerick, Andrew Suniula, Luke Hume; Roland Suniula (Will Holder), Mike Petri (Mose Timoteo); Shawn Pittman (Eric Fry), Chris Biller, Eric Fry (Mike MacDonald, Tolifili Liufau), Louis Stanfill, Brian Doyle (Derek Asbun), Taylor Mokate (Andrew Durutalo), Scott Lavalla, Todd Clever (captain)
Italy
Tries: Carlo Festuccia, Edoardo Gori, Kris Burton
Conversions: Riccardo Bocchino (2), Kris Burton
Penalties: Riccardo Bocchino (3)
Luke McLean; Giovambattista Venditi, Roberto Quartaroli, Luca Morisi, Tommaso Benvenuti; Riccardo Bocchino, Edoardo Gori; Alberto De Marchi, Carlo Festuccia, Martin Castrogiovanni (captain), Antonio Pavanello, Joshua Furno, Alessandro Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Robert Barbieri
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Attendance: 17,214
Jesus Kurt... is EVERYTHING that comes out of your mouth negative?
The way you put it, the USA may as well have not even shown up because they are so bad it just embarrases you as a "fan".
If you are so embarrassed by USAR, why don't you get a job at the head office and change for the better from within?
Oh wait... you DID have a job at the head office, but you were fired. Probably for being a complete douche.
Posted by: Chip on your shoulder? | 25 June 2012 at 08:40
"visitors' dominance"...? what match we're you watching Kurt?
Did you mean to follow that up with "in the scrum" because then I would agree with you.
Posted by: MattD | 25 June 2012 at 09:18
Give Kurt some credit. He didn't write an embarrassing blog post about how the ref ruined the game and imply that there is some kind of conspiracy out there keeping the Eagles down. That was reserved for our mainstream rugby media. The joke that is Rugby Magazine.
What's the word on the college coaches meetings that happen in Houston?
Posted by: CollegeRugger | 25 June 2012 at 10:10
The Azzuri dominated the scrums, the break-down infractions, and the score-line - but that's about it. We may get beat by Tonga in the fall, but Romania and Russia should get steam-rolled!
Posted by: Grant Cole | 25 June 2012 at 10:26
prior, college rugby was going way to the elitist, now its turbo charged with super elitist and the varsity cup.
Posted by: Biff & Muffy | 25 June 2012 at 10:49
I will give Kurt zero credit.
Goff decided to write an op-ed piece that disagrees with the refs calls in one particular game. So what?
I'm talking about EVERYTHING this wormy blowhard Kurt writes. Nothing ever highlights the positives, and just because its much easier to criticize than praise, you lemmings go right on agreeing with him.
The fact is he does it simply because he is a disgruntled former employee with an axe to grind. He's alo an egomaniacal whiner that thinks he is contributing to the advancement of rugby in this country. He only contributes to the blind hatred of good people who try to grow a very, very niche sport in an already crowded sports market.
Posted by: Chip on your shoulder? | 25 June 2012 at 10:53
@Biff
Let's hear the details.
Are we looking at matches like Claremont Colleges vs. Norte Dame billed as a "Varsity Cup" match?
Posted by: CollegeRugger | 25 June 2012 at 11:04
No, but it is a bunch of the "Brands" in a closed competition. seems like the creation of the CPL was not good, so it changed names to the CPD but that was not right either, now its the Div 1A, but since these lessor academic schools can play in, and have added parity, this surely cannot be right either, so let's create a closed comp for our "brands" so we can say how good we are and feel good about ourselves.
Posted by: Biff & Muffy | 25 June 2012 at 11:17
I was very disappointed in the US team. I thought certain players who are suppose to be leaders made crucial mistakes. Wyles stunk the place up in the kicking game. And our two hot heads who don't know the rules of rugby and act like victims of a evil referee made me sick.
Its not the NFL folks. The physical ability is there just not the brains.
I hope Tolkin is covering them in the media but ripped them in private. The US puts on a grand show and two meatheads stole the show.
Posted by: St Marys of Annapolis | 25 June 2012 at 11:23
@Biff
Have the teams been named yet?
Posted by: CollegeRugger | 25 June 2012 at 11:24
"Italy thrash US". Really? They scored three tries - two gift wrapped by the Eagles and one when it was Rugby League vs Rugby Union. Italy had a man advantage from 10 minutes in the second half on forward. They scored a grand total of 10 points in that timeframe.
The Eagles scored the best try of the evening and did attack with more purpose than Italy for large parts of the match; even when they were down a man.
Castrogiovanni definitely gamed his way into a couple penalties (when he popped up out of the scrum and clearly binding on the elbow of our loosehead as well as boring in at an angle after the scrum engaged). The Italy scrum was dominant but that doesn't mitigate the fact that illegal tactics were used to gain an advantage.
HAd the Eagles not screwed up that scrum that led to the 2nd Italy try then the score at half is 13 - 10 and the Eagles have everything to play for.
I believe the send off's were warranted - Siniulu clearly went out of his way to take the Italian player out and Emerick deserved a yellow; so at that point it was frankly academic - he could have come back with about 5 minutes to play.
Italy created nothing. We all would have loved to see a better contest but for 50 minutes it is a stretch to say that Italy were running away with this game.
Posted by: I played drek rugby - and loved it | 25 June 2012 at 11:30
@college rugger...
If you mattered, you'd know. You clearly don't matter.
Posted by: Nothing announced yet | 25 June 2012 at 11:31
Boy, some of you are so soft. It made you sick? You were embarrassed by Goff's post? You all must have a ton invested in USA Rugby if it's making you sick and embarrassed. You see a half dozen hits like Suniula's and Emerick's every time the All Blacks play. Get over yourself with these comments. At least we have players willing to stand up to the opposition.
The ref took every chance he could to blow the whistle against the Eagles. Is it a conspiracy? No. Goff never said it was either, but over and over again international refs treat our team like we need to be taught the rules after minor infractions. Even putting the cards aside, there were numerous examples of how rucks, scrums and knock forwards/straight down were called for either team. Eagles do something wrong at a scrum and Italy gets a free kick. Italy does something wrong and the scrum gets reset.
The Eagles played very physically. They played like a team, and they were more upset after the loss than I've seen in a while. For the first time in a decade I feel like there is a product to root for and you Nancies can only complain.
Posted by: Roger Roger | 25 June 2012 at 11:33
@NAY
Are you 12 years old?
Posted by: CollegeRugger | 25 June 2012 at 11:33
The Eagles are going to have to learn how to play to the ref. Over the top macho behavior (Hume) and bravado (Clever) is not going to play well with any international level ref. The "ugly American" will be punished every time. Just like when you see the Pacific Island teams seem to get on the wrong side of the ref. Rugby is an international game and if we can't figure that out, we are going to be the ones on the wrong side of the ref on nearly every occasion.
Regarding the ref. He has reffed tons of Top 14 matches including the semifinal this year, 6 Nations matches, RWC matches and we should be happy that we had a top ref. The only advantage is that the Italian side have seen how he calls a match, but that is just the reality of being a tier 2 nation with no pro league.
Posted by: Man with the whistle | 25 June 2012 at 11:55
You have to wonder if the Eagles coaching staff did their homework and discussed the ref's history of how he calls games. I just googled his name and found this article that included the following:
"Even a suitably deferential Robshaw might have his work cut out with Saturday’s referee, Frenchman Jerome Garces. Saracens and Ospreys players as well as management were up in arms with his officiating earlier in the season, particularly at the scrum where 11 of the first 12 scrums resulted in either penalties or free-kicks.
“It was carnage,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
England tighthead prop Dan Cole has urged Garces to allow the two sides a fair contest.
“You’ve got two scrums that want to have a go against each other, want to be positive, so let them get on with it,” said Cole, who admitted that England’s discipline had to improve after the World Cup.
“Something needed to happen. We were getting a reputation and you don’t want that stigma because refs notice it.
“You’ve got to keep your mouth shut and not argue. We gave away too much cheap stuff in the World Cup and that hurts you. You’re not safe even 50 metres from goal these days the way kickers are.”
So there you go. One google search and info that the ref has a history of acting...well French. Eagles need to do their homework.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9073086/Six-Nations-2012-disciplined-England-look-to-bolster-empire-with-victory-over-Italy-in-Rome.html
Posted by: Man with the whistle | 25 June 2012 at 12:00
http://www.rugbydump.com/2007/09/203/shocking-spear-tackle-by-paul-emerick-on-olly-barkley
Emerick needs to move on. Maybe rugby league would be better suited for him.
Posted by: LoweDown | 25 June 2012 at 12:28
Cant stand to hear excuses for a loss.
Roger, quit comparing the US team to the ABs you sound stupid.
Posted by: St Marys of Annapolis | 25 June 2012 at 13:15
Good try chief, but I never compared the Eagles to the All Blacks. I compared two hits to hits you would see in a match featuring the All Blacks. Words mean things, guy.
Posted by: Roger Roger | 25 June 2012 at 13:48
The referee did not have a good game...however, it wasn't all one-sided. As is typical when two teams are playing "not good rugby" he had peaks and valleys of harsh calls against one side or the other. I think in the first half, he was pretty harsh on the Italians and we got the benefit of the doubt...but failed to capitalize. The cards were, well, maybe harsh as reds, but after the first red, there was no way the second was going to be a yellow.
We need a goal kicker, and a better scrumhalf. Actually, we need any kind of kicking game that has some actual direction. Box kicks with no meaning, kicks for territory that don't clear the defenders. We essentially kicked away possession without gaining any benefit We need direction.
Pittman has a broken arm...has to. When he was walking off, the way he was holding it, it's no good. He's been playing well, too.
When we gave away the sloppy try off of our first lineout, the entire place was on pins and needles, wondering if we were going to fold. Luckily we didn't and there was electricity in the first half.
We could have made better choices when we had penalties awarded. If we're within 15m of the touchline, we should never go for points with our current kicking regime. We should have kicked to the corner and taken the lineout in the first quarter.
We need a scrumhalf who gets us quicker ball. If Petri had gotten the ball out quicker (I'll concede that the referee didn't police the breakdown as he should have), we could have actually worked an offense. When we had clean, quick ball, we actually did some very good things with it.
Clever did well at the back of the scrum, as we were getting pushed and wheeled all over the place, to keep possession. I think, however, he needs to play flanker and LaValla should move to the back. Stanfill, if on the field, should never have a number larger than 5 on his back.
Asbun should have replaced Mokate after 30 minutes, to inject some life. He just didn't seem to have it.
It was a tough match in a tough atmosphere. At any given time you could look up from the seats and see the field riddled with cramping, gasping players, no matter the jersey color.
I hate the cards. Suniula and Emerick, ever since the RWC, have been on the same page with their timing, and really could start to work well...even if that means helping groom the next centers for 2015. And regardless of age and cards, Emerick still plays with enthusiasm and purpose that seem to be missing from everyone on the field that night except for Clever and Hume. Wyles had an off night...so he should get a free pass.
Clever, Emerick, Hume, Wyles and Lavalla are clearly our five best players. Z (who was actually in the crowd that night???), Biller, Pittman are the next tier. Everyone else, including Paterson, could be switched out with the top guys from DI or RSL, and we wouldn't lose much.
If we're going to stay invested in Petri, we need a specialist coach...and soon.
Posted by: Inigo Montoya | 26 June 2012 at 07:40
Inigo - I agree with your assessment and would further that Petri, while a really good guy, isn't up to the job. This point was proven when he had several chances overseas and could not make any of them stick.
He and others will explain away about how difficult it is for Americans to land pro contracts, and it is tough to do. If you demonstrate that you are as good or better, a team will sign you. Examples run from Lyle, Hodges, Billups, Emerick, MacDonald.
Mike just isn't the answer. What happened to Chad Clark? I think he is as good as the South African from BYU and while we are at it, Timoteo? Why? Give that experience to a young guy. What is Tolkin doing?
Posted by: Continually Amazed | 26 June 2012 at 08:25
While you idiots babble about this nonsense, USAR has actually done something awesome.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=805116488143
I saw it at halftime of the Italy match in the stadium. Best video they've put out.
Posted by: 'merica! | 26 June 2012 at 08:32
I would also disagree that the Italians totally dominated this match. I was at the game and I can tell you we did a lot of things well. Defense was spotty at times, but offensively I was actually very pleased. We scored a couple of well worked tries which is to be commended. That hasn't exactly been a strength of ours on the international stage. If we had a better kicking game (all departments were poor) we very well could have had that game, assuming no cards. I was pleased with the US and for the first time in a while I can say we put out a true battling display. It must be said the Italian backs were absolutely woeful though and the scoreline should have been worse. They were butchering simple 2v1 situations that should have been scores every time.
Posted by: Look Around | 26 June 2012 at 10:08
"We scored a couple of well worked tries..."
Well, one.
Posted by: 10 kinds of people, those who undrstand binary and those who don't. | 26 June 2012 at 10:28
The Italian 9 outran Hume, Petri and our 10 to score his try. We don't have the athletes to compete. Also, if we want to get on the right side of the refs, we need guys like Hume to settle down. His MMA attitude and looks don't help the cause when trying to not have a ref go to his pocket. For all his bluster and bad A$$ tattoos he cowards from contact when on defense.
Posted by: LoweDown | 26 June 2012 at 10:35
Yep, Hume cowards from contact on defense. That's why the Azzuri #4 scored a rumbling try without dropping the ball. Please fact check me on that, because when the Eagles were a man down due to red card and the only thing between that lock and try-time was Hume, Luke laid a solid hit on him that dislodged the ball and saved a try. Breaking down and dropping a ball-carrier that out-weighs him by 80lbs is so cowardly.
Posted by: Grant Cole | 26 June 2012 at 16:20
10 minutes after the hour, and USA still hasn't turned the camera on for the USA v. Russia U20 match. I'm not sure how inspiring this is to fall in love with rugby.
Posted by: Not a Hater | 26 June 2012 at 17:12
Hume looks scared to me on this
http://youtu.be/5Iu1H33DoYk?hd=1
Posted by: EagleFanClub | 26 June 2012 at 17:32
and it was a wing. not a lock.
Posted by: EagleFanClub | 26 June 2012 at 17:33
KSL is doing the webcast... Not USA Rugby.
Posted by: 'merica! | 26 June 2012 at 17:47
I stand corrected. Thank you. Don't think he looks scared and it's still a hard hit.
Posted by: Grant Cole | 26 June 2012 at 18:48
Hume was a dear in headlights and the 14 from Italy had neither the mass or the commitment to truck lil Hume. Hume looked shocked by the result. The rest of the game he dances just as much on defense as he does in attack. Always looking to avoid contact. Him and Z on the wings would be the softest defending wings in world rugby
Posted by: EagleFanClub | 26 June 2012 at 18:54
Hume didn't look very impressive either when the 9 from Italy outran him with ease. Of course Petri was in the dust too, but our wings can't catch their 9?
Posted by: EagleFanClub | 26 June 2012 at 19:00
Look at Hume and Mike "Tiny Dancer" Petri make a mess of this demolished scrum. Tell me Hume doesn't look like a guy either confused or afraid.
http://youtu.be/ovr08usrWm4?hd=1&t=57s
Posted by: EagleFanClub | 26 June 2012 at 19:37
Getting a little distance from my concession?
Funny, I didn't see you at Sherlock's last Thursday night speaking your mind about these players to their faces...
Posted by: Grant Cole | 27 June 2012 at 10:00