There was only one thing on the agenda in York on Saturday afternoon: points. The reality was always going to be that the United States would pick up a first win of the Rugby World Cup and inflict a third straight defeat on Samoa. That was never really up for debate here.
But it was always going to be about how many points the Eagles could rack up to pile the pressure on Australia later in the evening. The intriguing aspect was that nobody really quite knew for sure what would be enough. Some were saying 60, some were saying 70; others in York on Saturday lunchtime felt they might need as many as 80 to stand a chance.
After all, a 135-point swing across two games is not insignificant - especially when the onus was on a USA team who are traditionally not heavy points scorers: this was the biggest score they have racked up in a single game since defeating Kazakhstan in 2014. You cannot argue that they did not do their best to hold up their end of the bargain.
But in the end, it just wasn’t quite enough. It wasn’t this game, and this scoreline, which ultimately cost the States. It was their heavy defeat on the opening night that proved to ultimately be significant in denying them a place in the quarter-finals - but they certainly ended their group stage campaign in some style here.
Not at any stage did they relent in their pursuit to rack up as many points as possible against a Samoan side who were well supported here in York. That was evident right up until the very last moments, when the Eagles hurried to restart the game after Olivia Ortiz’ try two minutes from time, their tenth of the contest.
They knew every second and every point mattered. That ultimately proved to be the case, but they can hold their heads high with how they acquitted themselves. “They did a great job but when we got the opportunity to score I was delighted with how we did,” the USA coach, Sione Fukofuka, said post-match. “We rise and fall as a team.”
The tone was set within six minutes by the game’s undisputed star, forward Freda Tafuna. The first of her four tries was a wonderful solo finish that caught the Samoan defence off-guard and by half-time, the States had already secured the all-important bonus point that was the bare minimum they needed across the course of the afternoon.
Two tries from Hope Rogers continued the momentum after Tafuna’s early try before Cassidy Bargell and Erica Coulibaly followed suit. Crucially though, only one of their five tries were converted. But leading 27-0 at the break, the platform had been laid - and they didn’t let up after half-time too.
USA Ibarra; Henrich (Kelter 48), Maher, Cantorna, Coulibaly; Hawkins (Bitter 48), Bargell (Ortiz 61); Rogers (Learned 61), Treder (Stathopoulos 54), Sagapolu (Leatherman 61), Taufoou (Brody 67), Jarrell, Tafuna, Zackary, Johnson (Perris-Redding 54).
Tries Tafuna 4, Rogers 2, Bargell, Coulibaly, Jarrell, Ortiz. Conversions Cantorna 5.
Samoa Ah-Cheung; Aumua (Makisi 53), Pouri-Lane, Vatau, Falaniko; Wright-Akeli, Afuie (Tugaga 61); Aiolupotea (Mamea 41), Filimaua (Nonutunu 41), Iosefo (Samuelu 41), Sio (Taylor 41), Madisen-Jade, Atonio (Foaese 49), Pauaraisa, Fanen-Lolo (48).
Referee N Ganley (New Zealand).
Erica Jarrell got them going within seconds of the restart before Tafuna picked up her second. Two more for the forward followed either side of the hour mark and at that stage, it was 53-0 and a huge score looked possible.
But their momentum was stunted in the final quarter after Kristin Bitter was sin-binned and at that moment, it looked like Samoa would produce the biggest cheer of the afternoon with their first try. However, while USA held firm to deny them, there was no shortage of spirit from Samoa. “It’s a learning curve for our players,” Ramsey Tomokino said. “We’ve enjoyed our time here.”
There was time for one more USA try when Ortiz forced her way over the line to make it 60-0, but you always had the suspicion it wouldn’t quite be enough. So that proved here - but both teams exit with their heads held high.
