Eddie’s Eagles take first blood

USA EAGLES head coach Eddie O’Sullivan is hoping his side are not left to rue a late Uruguay points rally in the first leg of the Rugby World Cup 2011 play-off.

The Eagles left Montevideo with a 27-22 victory which leaves them 80 minutes from securing the Americas 2 qualifying spot for New Zealand 2011 and maintaining their ever-present record in the championship.

Yet O’Sullivan’s men had to hold off a comeback from the Teros in the last 20 minutes that gives them just a five-point advantage heading into next Saturday’s second leg in Florida.

“We are happy to win,” former Ireland coach O’Sullivan said. “But, honestly a bit disappointed that we gave up so many points in the last quarter. We would have liked to walk away with a larger point spread, but in the end we are happy to take away the victory.”

The USA had taken a 13-3 half-time lead thanks to tries from scrum-half Tim Usasz and speedy winger Kevin Swiryn and a Mike Hercus penalty.

Centres Junior Sifa and Alipate Tuilevuka put the Eagles in control with converted tries just after the break before Uruguay full-back Jeronimo Etchverry started to kick the hosts back into contention in front of 2,000 Teros fans.

Three penalties and a late try from Etchverry, which he also converted, narrowed the gap in the final quarter to set up a finely balanced second leg next weekend in the contest to join Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier in Pool C in New Zealand.