Rugby World Cup 2003
Scotland outclass Americans
Scrum.com
October 20, 2003
Report Match details
Date/Time: Oct 20, 2003, 19:30 local, 09:30 GMT
Venue: Lang Park, Brisbane
Scotland 39 - 15 United States of America
Attendance: 46796  Half-time: 24 - 9
Tries: Danielli 2, Kerr, Paterson, Townsend
Cons: Paterson 4
Pens: Paterson 2
Pens: Hercus 5
Scotland winger Simon Danielli breaks through the USA defence to score, Scotland v USA, World Cup, Suncorp Stadium, October 20 2003
Simon Danielli break away to score for Scotland
© Getty Images
Enlarge

Scotland secured a 39-15 win over the United States and also picked up a valuable bonus point with a professional performance in Brisbane.

Two first-half tries from Simon Danielli plus touchdowns from Gavin Kerr, Gregor Townsend and Chris Paterson ensured the Scots survived the American challenge, while Paterson converted six of his eight kicks on a good night with the boot.

Chris Paterson's penalty put Scotland ahead before Mike Hercus levelled, and kicked his second penalty to make it 9-6. But Scotland were able to score the first try of the match when a sweeping backline move saw Ross Beattie put Simon Danielli into the left-hand corner, with a superb conversion from Paterson making it 10-6.

A line-out on the American 22-metre line should have been an ideal chance for a Scottish attack, but scrum-half Michael Petrie made a bad error and conceded possession.

But when the Americans gave possession back again straight away Scotland were more ruthless and launched a backline move that gave Danielli his second try. The Bath winger went over in the same corner as his first effort, this time carrying two tacklers over the line with him.

The Scots grabbed their third try when Gavin Kerr charged down a clearing kick by Paul Emerick and then beat the cover defence to touch down. The video referee awarded the effort and Paterson's conversion made it 24-6.

The USA were desperately close through first MacDonald and then Hercus, and it took a professional foul from Tom Smith to stop them and he was sent to the sin-bin just before half-time. Hercus kicked the penalty to leave it 24-9 at the break.

Hercus kicked a penalty to bring the Americans back to within 12 points, but Paterson replied with one of his own to make it 27-12.

The USA got back to within two converted tries when Hercus kicked another penalty just after the hour mark.

Moments later, a wonderful burst down the right by Metcalfe put pressure on the Americans and although they resisted it initially they were penalised for Paul Emerick not letting go in the tackle. Emerick was sent to the sin-bin but the delay enabled the USA to regroup and then they managed to turn the ball over and clear.

The all-important bonus point was secured when Townsend was on the end of a smart backline move. Martin Leslie kicked on and Paterson showed good awareness to cut back in when he was isolated, feeding Andy Henderson, who in turn passed for Townsend to jink his way through.

Paterson hooked his conversion to leave the scores at 32-15 but Hercus nearly gifted Scotland a third try when his kick was charged down by Metcalfe but the fullback could not regather and knocked on with the line open.

Paterson then grabbed Scotland's fifth try, taking a clever pass from Henderson to dive over on the left. He then converted superbly to make it 39-15.

© Scrum

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.