USA look set to end losing run

HT Japan 10 USA 20

The United States took a giant stride towards ending their unwanted World Cup record during a pulsating opening period against Japan in Gosford.

With fly-half Mike Hercus contributing 15 points, the USA went into the break feeling confident they could arrest a run of 10 successive World Cup defeats, dating back to their previous tussle with tonight’s opponents back in 1997.

Another huge crowd lapped up the wholehearted endeavour from both sides and the absence of some basic skills at times only heightened the excitement.

Hercus, whose last minute conversion miss cost his team a win over Fiji in their opening game, opened the scoring when he darted through a gap after sidestepping Shin Hasegawa 20 metres out.

Centre Phillip Eloff sprinted round the Japanese defence three minutes later and the Americans looked to be on course for an easy win.

But, with Toru Kurihara leading the rally, the Cherry Blossoms pegged their opponents back. The winger took George Konia’s pass to score his team’s first try, then landed the conversion and finally a penalty to bring them to within four points.

The USA responded quickly though and two Hercus penalties edged them into a handy half-time lead.