Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe 15-31 USA
ZIMBABWE’S winless run in the World Rugby Nations Cup continued as the Sables went down 31-15 to the United States of America in a rather disappointing encounter at the American Legion Memorial Stadium yesterday.
Despite a spirited first-half display that saw the Sables carry a slender three-point lead into the breather, the hosts clawed their way back to secure the win, largely thanks to their superior kicking game.
The Eagles, carrying momentum from their slender 30-29 win over Portugal last weekend, came out of the blocks with great intensity and raced in front courtesy of tries from winger Conner Mooneyham and Perry Mayo.
Eagles flyhalf Chris Hilsenbeck could only convert one of the tries as he was penalised on the other when the kicking clock ran out.
That appeared to wake Zimbabwe from their slumber as the Sables hit back with two tries of their own through Edward Sigauke, operating at centre, and eighth-man Aiden Burnett.
With news filtering in that Australia-based flyhalf Ian Prior had injured himself in training, Bruce Houston was brought in as a last-minute replacement.
Houston chipped in with a conversion and a penalty as Zimbabwe took their only lead of the game into the breather.
Unfortunately, it was during the second half that everything fell off the rails.
A spate of injuries forced tactical changes that took the bite out of Zimbabwe’s attack.
Hilton Mudariki came in for Keagan Joubert but failed to last the match as the Sables’ skipper appeared to be in some sort of discomfort.
Tapiwa Mafura was then brought in at scrum-half, while Takudzwa Musingwini came in to fill the fullback position.
On the other hand, Simbarashe Mandioma came in for Liam Larkan and the hooker continued his struggles with lineouts from last weekend’s 36-26 defeat to Tonga.
While all this happened, the hosts took full advantage and cruised to a comfortable 16-point win.
It took them only 15 minutes into the second half to hit back when Nathan Den Hoedt crashed over after the Australian-born back-rower peeled off a maul in the 56th minute.
Hilsenbeck, unfortunately, failed to convert as his attempt struck the right post, leaving the scores at 17-15 in favour of the hosts.
Luke Carty made it a five-point game with a penalty in the final 20 minutes, before the replacement iced the result.
Zimbabwe packed down for a scrum inside their own half, but the USA forwards made a match-defining statement by winning a penalty against the feed.
Carty stepped up and extended the team’s lead to beyond a converted try for the first time.
Cory Daniel then added another try to put the game beyond Zimbabwe’s grasp, with Carty slotting three penalties during the Eagles’ second-half dominance.
Zimbabwe will likely go back to the drawing board but have only a few days before their next match against Canada this weekend.
Sables coach Piet Benade will have a lot to ponder, especially if he entertains any hopes of wrapping up Zimbabwe’s North American tour on a positive note.
While Zimbabwe square off against Canada, the US Eagles have a tricky tie against Spain next weekend.
