The USA rallied from 21-6 down in the first half and 24-13 at half-time to grab their first win over any tier-one international team, by a single point in a thriller.
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The Eagles, now coached by former Worcester coach Gary Gold, took the lead for the first time with a try to the flanker Hanco Germishuys in the 60th minute. Germishuys plays professionally elsewhere in Texas, for Austin Elite in the new Major League Rugby competition.
MLR players and those based overseas made this the most experienced Eagles team in the pro era, and a tough challenge for a Scotland team missing – though not entirely without – its established stars.
Eagles’ fans had their hearts in their mouths on a hot Houston night as the US, leading 30-24, repelled wave after wave of Scottish attacks in the final quarter. There was hope the home team had secured victory as they led by six points when the full-time siren sounded.
Dougie Fife scored an injury time try but Blair Kinghorn missed the conversion from out wide. Scotland had won all five previous Tests between the nations.
Scotland came into the test in confident mood after a 48-10 win over Canada but aware the USA would pose much stiffer opposition after Americas Rugby Championship wins over and Argentina XV, Canada, Chile, Brazil and Uruguay and a heavy win over Russia in their first June international.
Coach Gregor Townsend made 12 changes to his lineup, handing debuts to George Horne and Matt Fagerson and giving Jamie Bhatti, Lewis Carmichael, Luke Hamilton, Adam Hastings and George Turner their first starts. Full-back and double British Lion Stuart Hogg was captain for the first time, in his 61st Test.
Scotland made a dream start when Kinghorn touched down after only two minutes and converted his own try for a 7-0 lead. The USA fly-half AJ MacGinty – employed by Sale in England – narrowed the lead with a penalty before Scotland went further ahead with a penalty try. Horne was denied a try on debut by a high tackle by the Eagles’ Toulon No8 Samu Manoa, who was sent to the sin-bin and Scotland led 14-3.
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After another MacGinty penalty, Scotland hooker George Turner scored a try – his fourth in his last two tests after a hat-trick against Canada – which gave his team a 21-6 lead. The Worcester hooker Joe Taufete’e’s first try immediately before half-time kept the USA in the match at 24-13 and the hooker scored again to make it 24-20 at the start of the second spell.
The US hit the front for the first time, 30-24, with Germishuys’ try with 20 minutes to go. After an exchange of kicks, MacGinty made a break and linked with the flanker who scored.
The Eagles found themselves mainly on defense through the last quarter but kept Scotland at bay until Fife dived over out wide. There was elation when Kinghorn’s kick faded wide of the posts, giving the USA its first win over a major rugby power.