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The USA battles to hang on to possesion during the match versus Clermont
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8/11/2008 4:10:31 PM
Michelin Challenge Rugby Match Doesn’t Disappoint
CHARLESTON, S.C. The Michelin Challenge Rugby match promised a physical and hard fought battle between the USA Eagles and ASM Clermont Auvergne at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C. and both sides definitely delivered. Clermont came out ahead, winning 37-14, but the USA Eagles put forth a passionate performance in front of over 4,000 rugby fans on Saturday.
“It was a tough match and that’s exactly what we wanted,” U.S. Captain Todd Clever said following the match. “The crowd was fantastic and they’ve been really supportive. Obviously we would’ve liked a win, but overall this match was everything we could’ve hoped for.”
The Eagles came out looking sharp, controlling possession early on and getting a great break away from Clever that passed several hands and went over 80 meters until eventually being brought into the try zone under split possession. ASM’s Mirko Lozupone got his hands under the ball, pushing the Eagles back five meters. The U.S. was quickly able to work their way back into scoring position, however, and Mark Crick pushed over the Eagles first and only try of the half just under 10 minutes into the match. Nese Malifa converted and the Eagles were up 7-0.
It took several minutes before Clermont Auvergne actually started to play like expected and Elvis Vermeulen took a quick penalty tap and crossed the line himself. Benoit Baby converted and the score was briefly tied at seven at just under the 20 minute mark.
Just a few moments later and ASM’s Baby proved spot on with an up and under from kick to the corner and Mark Lozupone touched Clermont’s second try of the match down. Baby couldn’t convert from that angle, but ASM’s momentum was definitely mounting.
Clermont’s flyhalf took the next one in himself after a grubber kick got ASM within range for a key lineout in U.S. territory. Baby was able to covert his own try right in front of the posts to put ASM at 19-7.
Although the U.S. held ASM scoreless for the remainder of the half, Malifa missed a couple of possible penalty kicks and the half ended with the U.S. trailing by 12.
In the second half, Baby converted a penalty to literally kick off the scoring in the 51st minute. Eight minutes later, Pat Quinn held the ball up to stop ASM from scoring, but Elvis Vermeulen would use that five meter scrum to score another five on the home team. Baby just added to the lead, with a second penalty kick in the 62 minute, bringing Clermont to their biggest lead of the night at 30-7.
Finally, the U.S. got a break and after several of the Eagles’ offensive phases hit ASM’s proverbial wall, Alipate Tuilevuka was finally able to find a weak spot with Clermont down by one player. Tuilevuka broke through, scoring under the posts and Malifa hit the conversion to bring the score to within 16.
The intensity continued and both teams remained scoreless for the next 15 minutes, even with Clermont sending off their second player with a yellow card. ASM held strong and was finally able to seal the deal at the end, when at full strength, Julien Malzieu dove in the corner for the try as time wound down. Brock James converted and the whistle blew with a final score of 37-14.
“We didn’t fall off,” USA’s Head Coach Scott Johnson said. “The guys played with a lot of heart until the very end. Three of their scores came off turnovers and set pieces, but once we actually played the ball, we showed promise. It wasn’t a preferred outcome, but there is plenty to be excited about. This is a young team and we will definitely keep going in the right direction.”
For more information on the U.S. Eagles, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/national_teams or contact USA Rugby’s Communication Director Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org. For more information on ASM Clermont Auvergne, visit www.asm-rugby.com.
ASM Clermont Auvergne (37)
Tries: Vermeulen, Lozupone, Baby, Etien, Matzieu
Conversions: Baby 2, James
Penalties: Baby 2
15. Anthony Floch, 14. Grant Esterhuizen (Thomas Combezou in @ 40 bl) , 13. Gonzalo Canale, 12. Arnaud Mignardi, 11. Julien Malzieu, 10. Benoit Baby (Brock James in @ 68), 9. Pierre Mignoni (C) (John Senio in @ 58) 8. Elvis Vermeulen, (Alexandre Lapandry in @ 55), 7. Emmanuel Etien 6. Julien Bonnaire 5. Thibaut Privat (Loic Jacquet in @ 56/yellow @71-79) 4. Julien Pierre 3. Vincent Debaty (Davit Zirakashvili in @ 52), 2. Mirko Lozupone (Benoit Cabello in @ 50) 1. Laurent Emmanuelli.
USA Eagles (14)
Tries: Crick, Tuilevuka
Conversions: Malifa 2
15. Chris Wyles, 14. Tyrone Coppedge (Colin Hawley in @ 64), 13. Alipate Tuilevuka, 12. Albert Tuipulotu (Gary Golding in @ 77), 11. Justin Boyd, 10. Valenese Malifa, 9. Chad Erskine (Mike Petri in @ 64), 8. Pat Quinn, 7. Kevin Sheahan (Rikus Pretorius in @38-40, 71 bl). 6. Todd Clever (C), 5. John Van der Giessen (Lou Stanfill in @ 52), 4. Ben Wiedemer, 3. Brian Lemay (Ben Barclay in @ 55), 2. Mark Crick (Joe Welch in @ 73), 1. Matekitonga Moeakiola.
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