Rugby Classic: USA stun Aussies

USA upset Australia last night as the World Rugby Classic caught fire at the National Sports Centre.

The intensity of the Classic Eagles caught Australia off guard as they pulled off a memorable 15-12 victory to set up a semi-final clash against South Africa, who had earlier ground down a resilient France 15-0.

The night, though, belonged to the USA, who wasted little time in getting some points on the board when winger Mike Harvey steamed over the line.

The Eagles, however, missed the conversion and Australia got back on level terms through a Andrew Walker try, with Wade Grintell kicking the extra points.

And when Simon Price went over to extend the Aussies’ lead, it looked like normal service had been resumed but USA refused to lie down. A Simon Dogbe try and Paul Holmes conversion levelled things up before Holmes showed nerves of steel to score a penalty and, after some dogged defending, secure a last-four spot.

Eagles’ Paul Emerick, a veteran of three World Cups, told the Bermuda Sun: “The boys really grinded that out. We just kept possession – you could see the frustration in the Aussies at the end there. A win’s a win, though and we did a good job.”