Friday 16th September, 2011 13 Americans hold off Russia for rare World Cup win NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand (AP) — The tive losses at the World Cup. United States held off World Cup rookie Russia 13-6 “They’re a tough team and they’re improving. on Thursday to register its third win ever at rugby’s Every time we play them, they’re getting better marquee event. and better,” he said of the Russians. “I’m just Scrumhalf Mike Petri crossed for a first-half try proud of the guys that we were able to finish and Chris Wyles kicked a conversion and two penalty through that.” goals in a physical match against the Russian Bears, The Americans started on the back foot when who had to wait until seven days into the tournament Petri had a kick charged down in the opening minute to play in their first ever match at the World Cup. and the Russians went immediately on the attack. But Yury Kushnarev kicked a penalty goal in the third several attacking raids only resulted in three points minute to score Russia’s first points, but the from the penalty. Americans rallied to take a 10-3 halftime lead. Heavy Petri made up for his error rain drenched the crowd of nearly 14,000 at Taranaki when he finished off a long- Stadium in the second half, restricting scoring to one range try in the 18th minute, penalty goal apiece. sliding over beside the posts. Wyles was outstanding, making light of the slip- Wyles converted but then pery conditions by completing some excellent takes there was 45 minutes with- from high balls hoisted by Russia. While locks out a point in the match before Hayden Smith and John van der Giessen were instru- Wyles extended the lead to 13-3 mental in the U.S. stealing six of the Bears’ lineout with his penalty in the 64th throws, often at crucial times. minute. “It’s an awesome feeling,” U.S. captain Todd Clever Konstantin Rachkov landed a penalty said. “I’m proud of the boys for sticking through. goal in the 77th minute to bring the “We made it tough for ourselves but the crowd Russians within a converted try after a helped get us through that one.” sustained period of pressure, but the The Americans started the tournament with an Americans held firm for the last three encouraging performance in a 22-10 loss to Ireland minutes to ensure the win. Russia here on Sept. 11 and now have a long-awaited win, but picked up a bonus point for losing by a Russia’s Yury Kushnarev centre, is the competition becomes more intense in the next margin of fewer than seven. tackled by Roland Suniula, left, of match, against two-time champion Australia on Sept. “We tried to show our best, it’s our the USA and Andrew Suniula of the 23. first game,” Russia’s Alexander Voytov The Eagles beat Japan at the 1987 and 2003 World said. “We were trying to prepare for this USA during their Rugby World Cup Cups, their only wins in five previous tournaments, game as much as possible. It was a tough game in New Plymouth, New so there was plenty of jubilation. game — it was unlucky with the loss but we Zealand, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. Clever said he was nervous in the closing stages, will try to show our good game the next (AP) desperate to hang on and end a streak of six consecu- games.” HAMILTON, 15 Sept. - In the kids who won’t be washing for some world of rugby, the All Blacks are an time after towering All Black lock Sam President’s Trophy rugby iconic brand and almost omnipotent in Whitelock signed his autograph on New Zealand. their cheeks during a visit this week to Such adoration from the fans can a Hamilton pub. cause problems but just as the All Added to the fan events, the Kiwis kicks off Sunday Blacks have earned respect on the have also been very accessible to the field, they also pay their dues when it media, holding regular press confer- comes to acknowledging the dedication ences and making most players and case this time around. “We can promise no such episodes will of their supporters. coaches available on a rotational basis. occur this year. We have tightened the Even with a World Cup to win as Word from the All Blacks camp is rules and from here on there’ll be a five host nation the New Zealand players that they believe there has been a step process which a school has to follow have shown a preparedness to engage surge in support from fans since the before going to court. The final step with their fans more involves the minister and if no amicable than any other team solution is found, then only can the school in the competition. All Blacks are the concerned go to court. We are doing our All Blacks media utmost to conduct a tourney sans contro- manager Joe Locke versy and the minster too has clearly stat- said the nation’s heroes are constantly team of the people ed that if a school resorts to court action, disciplinary action will be taken against connecting with the the principal of the school.” Kiwi in the street. The pull out by League champions “On average, Royal was also brought up and the new players appear at rules which are to be implemented from fan events five times next year were put forward. “They have per week at places given their reasons for not competing, but including sports we can’t let this continue. We are hoping stores, retail outlets Assistant Vice President Beverages Nestle Lanka Ptd Norman Kannangara, (2nd from left) to implement a set of rules which states and hospitals,’’ he hands over the sponsorship documents to President SLSRFA Ranjith Chandrasekara, at a it’s compulsory for the top eight to partici- said. media briefing held at CR&FC in connection with the upcoming President’s Trophy Inter-school pate in the knockouts,” Chandrasekara “They’ve been doing that for the Rugby Knockout tournament, on Wednesday. The tournament is scheduled to commence on added. The winners of the previous tourna- past two years. It’s September 18. Also in the picture are Sponsorship & Activations Manager Nestle Lanka Ptd ments are; St. Peter’s, Isipatana and all about finding the Sajeewa Wickremasinghe (left), Assistant Vice President, Nestle Lanka Ptd Bandula Egodage Kingswood who have grabbed it four times right balance (2nd from right) and Secretary SLSRFA Susantha Mendis. (Pic by Gamini Munasinghe) each while Thurstan, Royal and S. between preparation Thomas’ have won it once. and fan engage- ment.” BY CHATHURA PINNAWALA at CR & FC on Wednesday. Schedule So popular have “We are thankful to Milo for their con- these events become September 18- Isipatana Vs Thurstan 4.00 pm at New Zealand All Black fans paint their faces ahead of the Rugby After a lapse of two years, the tinued support, which has been the back- in the past weeks World Cup opening ceremony at Eden Park in Auckland, New bone of schools rugby for years and hope Royal Complex that players have President’s trophy schools Under-20 rugby Zealand, Friday, Sept. 9, 2011.The New Zealand All Blacks play knockout tournament will kick-off on it’ll continue to blossom in the coming Kingswood Vs St. Anthony’s 4.00 pm at Nittawela had to resort to new Sunday (Sept 18) with the curtain raiser years,” Chandrasekara said. September 19- St. Peter’s Vs Science 4.00 pm at tactics to escape Tonga later today. (AP) between Isipatana and Thurstan, at the Last year’s knockout tournament ended Royal Complex their fans’ atten- Royal Complex, Colombo. in calamity as a winner is yet to be Trinity Vs Dharmaraja 4.00 pm at Nittawela tion. The day’s other game in the hill capital announced due to an ongoing court hear- September 23- 1st Semi Final 4.30 pm at Royal “The support has been so good that World Cup kicked off in Auckland six Sonny Bill Williams had to pay a little days ago. will feature Kingswood and St. Anthony’s ing and queried whether any measures Complex at Nittawela, said SLSRFA (Sri Lanka have been taken to prevent incidents such kid 20 bucks to stop chasing him,” said All thanks to the All Black PR as what happened last year, which is hurt- September 24- 2nd Semi Final 4.30 pm at Royal team manager Darren Shand. machine - it’s a business model every Schools Rugby Football Association) presi- Complex dent, Ranjith Chandrasekara, at a media ing schools rugby from happening again, Despite the protestations of their team competing at RWC 2011 could fol- briefing held in connection with the event Chandrasekara assured that won’t be the September 30- Final 4.30 pm at Royal Complex mothers, there are some awestruck low. (www.irb.com) Japan out to atone for NZ thrashing at 1995 RWC HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — It’s match squad and has strained his right a number Japan wishes was a postal code: abdominal muscle. 145-17. Hooker Keven Mealamu took over the Instead, it’s the worst scoreline for the captaincy, Adam Thomson was switched to Japanese in test rugby, the most points con- flanker and Victor Vito recalled at No. 8 ceded in any World Cup match, and the where he played against Tonga. Isaia equivalent of an anchor around their necks Toeava, who played on the wing against because that 1995 match in Bloemfontein Tonga, will start at fullback against Japan.