Rugby World Cup 1987 - United States vs England - full Game
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Transcript
00:00:00There the two big blocks for England.
00:00:03Wade Dooley, the Blackpool Tower.
00:00:06The big policeman from Fylde.
00:00:08Two hundred and three centimetres and his partner
00:00:12Steve Bainbridge only two centimetres shorter.
00:00:15So it's the biggest England pack they have fielded
00:00:17for the tournament.
00:00:19And certainly two men to match the tall timber of Australia.
00:00:25Number eleven Gary Hime, the captain of the University
00:00:28of California football team last year.
00:00:31And he brought off some sensational gridiron style
00:00:34hits in the match against Australia as Steve Tyman
00:00:36will verify.
00:00:38And there's big Bob Causey, outstanding line-out jumper
00:00:41making his World Cup debut this afternoon.
00:00:51Standby for the start.
00:00:53Final pool match.
00:00:54Pool one, Mr Kerry Fitzgerald this afternoon is assisted
00:00:57by Bob Fordham and Brian Kinsey.
00:01:02So the ball not travelling the required ten metres
00:01:06and we come back to halfway.
00:01:08With me is former Australian captain Mark Eller.
00:01:11Well it's a disappointing start for the Americans when
00:01:13you're playing a game at this level.
00:01:14Obviously both teams are very nervous and it was important
00:01:17to make sure that that kick went the required ten metres.
00:01:25Gary Lambert, the flanker number six on this side of the scrum
00:01:28for the United States.
00:01:30His opponent Gary Rees.
00:01:32Jonathan Webb, rifling that ball down.
00:01:38And Ray Nelson, the Eagles fullback, forcing the ball
00:01:43behind the goal line and back to the twenty-two.
00:01:47Delightful conditions here at Concord.
00:01:50Certainly the weather in Australia and New Zealand
00:01:52for this World Cup tournament has been nothing short
00:01:55of magnificent.
00:01:57Winterbottom.
00:01:59Fabulous game against Japan.
00:02:01Bainbridge wrapped up and the Americans driving their
00:02:04opponents back.
00:02:05A very big powerful forward pack this afternoon.
00:02:08Rob Andrew.
00:02:12Bailey scooting down the touchline but a lovely kick
00:02:14by Andrew.
00:02:15Just two metres out from the goal line.
00:02:17It was a magnificent kick by Rob.
00:02:20Touched that ball over the American back line and chucked
00:02:24a right-hand turn and England right on the attack.
00:02:32Just two minutes of play in this first half.
00:02:35Four, three, six.
00:02:42Causey winning well.
00:02:44That's very good line-out ball by the Americans.
00:02:46England caught offside at the back.
00:02:49That first touch of the ball there for the giant American
00:02:52lock Bob Causey.
00:02:54And what a vital line-out when it was.
00:02:57Both teams have got very, very big packs.
00:02:59And I'm sure England are expecting to win their share
00:03:02of the ball.
00:03:03But as we say, Causey hasn't played a game so far and they've
00:03:06saved him up just for this match.
00:03:09Kick by Joe Clarkson.
00:03:11Finding touch twenty metres out.
00:03:13Ron Mayes, the Eagles coach, New Zealand born.
00:03:19And plenty of supporters on the far side for the Eagles.
00:03:30Expert control by England.
00:03:33Andrew has a shot.
00:03:35And just missing on the left-hand side.
00:03:38He's kicked six field goals in test matches.
00:03:41And eighty-nine points in all for England.
00:03:45I don't think England will take too many chances.
00:03:47They'll try and keep the American side confined
00:03:50to their own territory.
00:03:51Just as they did to Japan last weekend.
00:03:54Dean Richards, the man top left, just haunched over at the
00:03:58moment with referee Kerry Fitzgerald.
00:04:00He must have received a knock
00:04:03on the left shoulder by the look of it.
00:04:07Dean Richards, former England schoolboy player,
00:04:11actually had his first club football for Rouen in France.
00:04:17So he came up in a pretty hard school over there.
00:04:20And he was a member of the crack Leicester team that beat
00:04:23the All Blacks back in nineteen eighty-two.
00:04:27They certainly were the Halcyon days for Leicester
00:04:30with Les Cusworth, dusty hair, fabulous back line,
00:04:34very committed side, Mark.
00:04:35And I know you took them on back there in nineteen eighty-two.
00:04:39Well, that's right.
00:04:40And I think from memory, they beat us.
00:04:42Woodward and Dodge, a terrific combination, as you said.
00:04:51Birlingham went high, taken by Vizard.
00:04:54Good ball here for the Eagles, but they didn't control.
00:05:05Rick Bailey at the front of the line-up for the Eagles,
00:05:09opposed to Gary Pearson.
00:05:10There's the Blackpool Tower.
00:05:13Good jump by Bainbridge.
00:05:17Richard Hill to Rees.
00:05:26Referee Kerry Fitzgerald just speaking to Gary Lambert.
00:05:30Watch the feet, son, he says.
00:05:36Rick Bailey, the loose head prop on this side for the Eagles.
00:05:39Two very low scrums.
00:05:43But if there's an area where the Eagles need to work,
00:05:47according to the Australians anyway, Mark,
00:05:49it's on their set plays, their line-outs and their scrums.
00:05:52Well, with such big men, you think they'd spend a little bit
00:05:54more time and get that scrum nice and tight,
00:05:56because they've certainly got the power if they can just
00:05:59combine it all together.
00:06:03Scrum holding at the moment.
00:06:05Now the second shove comes from England.
00:06:08The Americans reply.
00:06:10Winterbottom, solid tackling too.
00:06:15Richard Hill to Andrew.
00:06:17Cut-out pass.
00:06:18This is Jonathan Webb.
00:06:20This is Bailey.
00:06:22Lovely tackle.
00:06:23Nelson, the full-back.
00:06:30And the Eagles are giving an early indication that they're
00:06:32going to really contest this game all the way.
00:06:35Well, they will, but I'm a little bit concerned about their defence.
00:06:37When that pass did go wide, the winger stayed with his man,
00:06:40but Nelson was still a long way behind.
00:06:45Michael Ball.
00:06:50Two monster packs this afternoon.
00:06:53Michael Ball.
00:06:58Captain Ed Burlingham in the second row for America,
00:07:00made his debut in 1980.
00:07:02The oldest man at 35.
00:07:06And Mike Saunders, the San Diego half-back.
00:07:10Not gaining much ground at all, I'm afraid.
00:07:12We're still on the 22-metre line.
00:07:14And we've been down in this area for the first six minutes of the match.
00:07:25Pass just wide of Andrew.
00:07:27Here's Webb again.
00:07:29And Mike Harrison.
00:07:31Hine.
00:07:33That kick almost went sideways.
00:07:35Dooley.
00:07:37Snaps it down in Australian football fashion.
00:07:40Gary Rees.
00:07:41The eagle's stretched at the moment.
00:07:44England running at them in close.
00:07:47And on the short side.
00:07:51Saunders, the half-back.
00:07:53And we go back to the 22.
00:07:55He's looking to play on quickly.
00:07:58Well, that was a silly kick from Winter Bottom.
00:08:00Really, he's been playing magnificently right throughout the tournament.
00:08:04There was just no need for that.
00:08:05He could have set it up.
00:08:06The backs were lined nice and deep.
00:08:08I think it was a silly play.
00:08:12Play half Joe Clarkson with a good kick-off.
00:08:16And the referee spotted a knock-on.
00:08:19So seven minutes gone, no score.
00:08:24Pitch in super condition.
00:08:27And the crowd building up all the time.
00:08:33England wins.
00:08:35Spoiling the American ball.
00:08:38Clarkson on his left foot.
00:08:40That's a pretty handy effort too.
00:08:42No angle at all to work with.
00:08:45His only cap prior to this was against Japan in 1986.
00:08:50Here's Ed Burlingham opposing Wade Dooley.
00:08:58Graham Doar throwing in for England.
00:09:02Well, the referee has found some barging.
00:09:05But I think he could safely say there that both sides were culprits.
00:09:10Well, as soon as the ball went in, both sides just collided into each other.
00:09:15And really, that penalty could have gone either way.
00:09:19Yes, I've been watching Bainbridge and his jumping.
00:09:22And he certainly uses his shoulder across the line of touch when he jumps for the ball.
00:09:28But if he can get away with it, good luck to him.
00:09:31Now Jonathan Webb.
00:09:34This is the first shot at goal we've seen so far.
00:09:50It's hit the upright. He's danger for America.
00:09:53The ball was knocked on.
00:09:57We've seen that quite a lot in this tournament.
00:10:00Frustration for the goal kickers.
00:10:02Webb kicked 20 points against Japan.
00:10:05Seven conversions and two penalties.
00:10:12Richards, Hill, Harrison.
00:10:16Very elusive runner.
00:10:20England offside there. The referee is playing advantage.
00:10:26Yes, you may have seen that hand come across while the ball was still in the ruck.
00:10:30The player wasn't bound.
00:10:33I'm a little bit concerned with the Americans' defence at the moment.
00:10:36The wingers are not doing their job.
00:10:38They're not doing their job.
00:10:40And I think that's a good thing.
00:10:42I think that's a good thing.
00:10:45I'm a little bit concerned with the Americans' defence at the moment.
00:10:48The wingers are standing a long way back.
00:10:50When the ball does get out to the English wingers,
00:10:52they've got about six, seven, eight, sometimes ten yards
00:10:55before the American winger makes them compete.
00:10:58Yes, Mike Harrison must be very encouraged.
00:11:00Although he's marking a ferocious tackler in Gary Hine,
00:11:03he is a very raw athlete, Gary Hine.
00:11:07But what he's doing by standing a long way back
00:11:09is giving Harrison plenty of time to get his balance
00:11:13and to think about making the step.
00:11:23Paddled on by Rees, this is Jamie Salmon.
00:11:26Whoa!
00:11:27That was the Hail Mary pass.
00:11:29England under pressure here.
00:11:35Ray Nelson underneath.
00:11:37Man in front of the kicker.
00:11:39No, it's gone the other way.
00:11:41That was some late obstruction.
00:11:43Pendley here for England.
00:11:46And this surely will be the first points of the game.
00:12:11We're just ten metres off centre.
00:12:18Three-nil to England.
00:12:20Ten minutes gone.
00:12:23I can't help but notice the difference
00:12:25when these kickers are kicking the ball now
00:12:27than when they first arrived in the country
00:12:29within Australia and New Zealand.
00:12:30They were wobbling through the air,
00:12:32but obviously they've all spent plenty of time with them,
00:12:34and now they're just gliding through.
00:12:36Very, very fast.
00:12:38They've all spent plenty of time with them,
00:12:40and now they're just gliding through right between the posts.
00:12:45We've seen some marvellous rugby in this tournament
00:12:49in Australia and New Zealand.
00:12:52One harks back to Fiji's sensational victory
00:12:56over the Argentine Pumas.
00:12:58Then Italy bouncing back to beat Fiji,
00:13:01but bowing out of the World Cup tournament
00:13:04despite their win.
00:13:07Zimbabwe here in Sydney, Mark Yellow,
00:13:10awarded them the try of the day yesterday,
00:13:12although they were hammered in their match against France.
00:13:26Well taken by Lambert, Birlingham,
00:13:29and a knock on there by prop forward Rick Bailey.
00:13:32Advantage play.
00:13:34Chilcott, Andrew, cut out now to Salmon.
00:13:39He loves that left foot, and he's deadly accurate too.
00:13:44Well, that was a beautiful kick.
00:13:46He took the long pass from Andrew,
00:13:48settled himself and really drove that one low.
00:13:54Martin Green, the popular England coach,
00:13:57realising that it's a very tense scene out there.
00:14:01Although England has the lead 3-0,
00:14:04they can't afford a hiccup.
00:14:06If they lost this game, that's the end of the tournament for them.
00:14:12Sudden death.
00:14:14The loser bows out and returns home.
00:14:18Black, 9-0-5, life college.
00:14:31Eight metres from the halfway line.
00:14:39Clarkson coming off, an England player.
00:14:43So it's a nice game.
00:14:45Well, he did really, really well.
00:14:47Considering the pass he got, it was a harbour bridge pass.
00:14:50It came to him nice and slow and really
00:14:52he didn't have much time to put that kick in.
00:14:59So now it's John Everett from Old Blues in San Francisco.
00:15:03Very aggressive hooker.
00:15:05Richards pouring through the line out.
00:15:08No one sweeping for America.
00:15:12The referee ruling that ball was had to hit.
00:15:15Well, Mark, what have been your impressions
00:15:17of the New Zealand performance so far?
00:15:19Well, I'd have to say they've been the most impressive side to date.
00:15:22Just the sheer power and control.
00:15:24Even though they've been playing against weak sides,
00:15:27I'm still impressed by them because they've been ruthless in their approach.
00:15:30And I think that's the team that's ruthless for winning this competition.
00:15:36And we were talking about New Zealand's embarrassment of Richards
00:15:39in the back row.
00:15:41Zin-Zan Brook, Michael Jones, Mark Brook-Cowden,
00:15:44guys who really are fighting to get a place in the side.
00:15:48But Zin-Zan Brook, what a marvellous game he had the other day.
00:15:51Well, that's right.
00:15:52We in Australia have seen an awful lot of Zin-Zan Brook with the sevens.
00:15:56But to think that he only played his first cap for New Zealand
00:15:59a couple of days ago is just unbelievable.
00:16:02Tight head here for England.
00:16:04Bailey standing in the tackle.
00:16:05Richards, winter bottom, 10 metre line.
00:16:09Well, the defensive work by the Americans is good
00:16:12once they get the physical contact.
00:16:14But they've really got to get their front row tighter here
00:16:16because England applying enormous pressure on their scrum.
00:16:22Red 6-4-7.
00:16:26Number 8 is Brian Vizard.
00:16:29Taken by Causey.
00:16:31WHISTLE BLOWS
00:16:39The Americans had live scrummaging practice against the Australians
00:16:42two days ago here at Concord Oval.
00:16:49The comment was that they're a very big, powerful pack,
00:16:52but they're still lacking in the finer points of scrummaging.
00:16:58Well, I can't understand why Saunders took so long to put that ball in.
00:17:02Obviously, England have got a much better scrum.
00:17:06They should be just in it and away.
00:17:08They should get away from those confrontations.
00:17:13So that's certainly proving a problem area for the Eagles so far in the game.
00:17:17We've had 15 minutes.
00:17:19England leading by only three points to nil.
00:17:28Nice gridiron throw. It wasn't straight, though.
00:17:30WHISTLE BLOWS
00:17:39Ireland and Tonga playing in Brisbane this afternoon.
00:17:48Richards, wrapped up by Lambert.
00:17:50Got it to Winterbottom.
00:17:53Hill to Andrew.
00:17:56Here comes Webb.
00:17:58Good defence.
00:18:00Andrew. They've lost it forward, England.
00:18:03WHISTLE BLOWS
00:18:06They seem to be taking heat of your advice, Mark,
00:18:08because they were equal to the occasion that time in the backs.
00:18:11Well, they have to be.
00:18:12I think England were a little bit unfortunate when that breakdown.
00:18:15They all got into a mess and they were all bunched,
00:18:17and even if the ball would have gone to the player,
00:18:19I think they wouldn't have had any support.
00:18:21Penalty against Gareth Chilcott there for collapsing the scrum.
00:18:28Gareth Chilcott making his test debut against Australia
00:18:31in 1984.
00:18:36Marvellous kick by Clarkson.
00:18:38Ten metre line, English territory.
00:18:47It's been a very low-key affair so far.
00:18:52Well, England's had all the territorial advantage,
00:18:54but really they've never looked like scoring.
00:18:57Bainbridge with a fine two-handed catch.
00:19:01WHISTLE BLOWS
00:19:05Testing kick from Andrew.
00:19:08They all missed it.
00:19:11WHISTLE BLOWS
00:19:13Lost ahead by England.
00:19:21Good view of the American scrum here.
00:19:28WHISTLE BLOWS
00:19:29England pushing them off the mark.
00:19:35Saunders has got to try and get this ball in as quick as possible.
00:19:38A quick feed, a quick strike, and try and save the forwards.
00:19:41WHISTLE BLOWS
00:19:42All the heartbreak up front.
00:19:45Colorado's the scrum core.
00:19:52Another tight head.
00:19:55Jonathan Webb in the line.
00:19:59Back to Winterbottom, ever-present.
00:20:01Salmon now to left-winger Bailey.
00:20:03Salmon again, doubling round.
00:20:06Nelson in there defending.
00:20:08And the Eagles arrive in numbers.
00:20:10They pushed England back about ten metres.
00:20:12Oh, super play from the American Eagles.
00:20:20Well, what great work.
00:20:21That's probably the best piece of work that we've seen
00:20:23from the American side so far.
00:20:26Well, if there has been a criticism of their play,
00:20:30it's been not getting the numbers to the rucks and mauls.
00:20:34But they were there that time.
00:20:36England were missing.
00:20:37Well, they can do that every time.
00:20:39We've already talked about it, how big and strong they are in upper body.
00:20:42Nelson makes the tackle and all of a sudden they converge upon him, really.
00:20:45They're big, strong men and they've got to do it all together.
00:20:48England, look, we'll see the forwards coming now.
00:20:50A little bit slow, they were caught unaware.
00:20:53And the man who really started the drive was the big, fast flanker,
00:20:58number six, Gary Lambert.
00:21:01Neck injury here for Gareth Chilcott, the French polisher.
00:21:05And again, I think the American half has got to put that ball in a little bit quicker.
00:21:34Every time he holds on to it, England are getting the shove.
00:21:38So third tight hip to the England scrum.
00:21:42They lead by three points to nil.
00:21:45And most of the game has been played in America's heart.
00:21:4945 metre gain there by Clarkson.
00:21:53Fabulous kick.
00:22:0430 metres out from England's goal line.
00:22:16Bainbridge again towering over his opponents.
00:22:21And Andrew has taken play over the halfway line.
00:22:30Rob Andrew having to play second fiddle to Peter Williams.
00:22:36But he came on against Japan after Williams injured rib cartilages.
00:22:44Brian Vizard at the back.
00:22:50That all started from Richards, the number eight for England.
00:22:55The American player took the ball, but Richards is so strong,
00:22:57all he did was just force the American player backwards
00:23:00and therefore the England team were always going forward.
00:23:16Gary Owen from Andrew. Nelson's underneath.
00:23:25Eagles cleaning up at the back.
00:23:28Reece was offside by about two metres.
00:23:41Halfback Saunders with the ball at the moment.
00:23:44From San Diego.
00:23:46And Joe Clarkson with that solid right foot punt kick.
00:23:50Not finding touch. Harrison and Hine just brushes off Hine.
00:23:54Pop forward Pierce to Webb. Gary Reece.
00:23:58Now the hooker door. Harrison.
00:24:04And Hine into touch one metre out from the goal line.
00:24:07Will this be England's first try?
00:24:12And again that started from the basics of rugby football.
00:24:15Put the ball into touch.
00:24:22Concern here for the Eagles.
00:24:25The line out right on the goal line.
00:24:27Richards at the front. Can he wrestle over?
00:24:30I think they might have got it down.
00:24:32Yes, they have.
00:24:37Graham Gore, the hooker, has scored the England try.
00:24:43The first of the game coming after 22 minutes of play.
00:24:49Good work from the English hooker.
00:24:52Richards came around, really tried to go himself.
00:24:54But Dawes went straight in.
00:24:56In fact, I think it was Winterbottom.
00:24:58I thought it was the hooker, but it was Winterbottom.
00:25:00First he rucked the ball out of Richards' hand.
00:25:03We'll see him go in there.
00:25:04And used the momentum, spun around and scored in a corner.
00:25:09So the try going to Peter Winterbottom.
00:25:15Watch it closely. Dawes there, number two.
00:25:17But Winterbottom rolled off the ball and got the ball down over the goal line.
00:25:30Webb looking to make it 9-0.
00:25:39Fantastic kick.
00:25:46But that all stemmed from the Eagles putting pressure on themselves.
00:25:50Instead of having the line out down near their goal line,
00:25:52they could have had it up around the 22th.
00:25:55And that's one thing these minor nations have got to realise.
00:25:58You just can't afford to make mistakes against well-established countries such as England.
00:26:02You've got to keep control of the ball.
00:26:04When you've got to put it out, you've just got to make no mistakes at all
00:26:06because these other sides are just too good.
00:26:10Mike Harrison really causing problems for Gary Hine with his elusiveness.
00:26:16Rob Andrew, England playing with more confidence now.
00:26:21Thirty metres out from their goal line.
00:26:29The Americans twice Olympic champions in 1920 and 1924.
00:26:34Joe Clarkson.
00:26:44I think this is the first scrum that the Americans have had in English territory.
00:26:51There's no guarantee they'll win it either.
00:27:01Clean ball for the backs.
00:27:03Clarkson.
00:27:05Higgins, wrapped up.
00:27:06Thirty-five metres out.
00:27:09Joe Clarkson again.
00:27:10Plenty of England jerseys there.
00:27:12He's lacking support.
00:27:15Hooker John Everett arrived but the ball spewing forward.
00:27:20Salmon.
00:27:22Bailey.
00:27:23Nice step off his left foot.
00:27:26Rob Andrew.
00:27:30Quick clearance from Hill.
00:27:35Gary Reese, the flanker out on the right wing.
00:27:37This is Harrison.
00:27:38Now it's Webb.
00:27:39Good defence.
00:27:41Clarkson takes it.
00:27:44Neil Brendel.
00:27:49A bit committed play from the Americans.
00:27:52England probing out wide.
00:27:54It was good defence.
00:27:55England had all the players.
00:27:56They had players in support.
00:27:58But again, the Americans rose to the occasion.
00:28:08Half-back Saunders.
00:28:10Well taken by Clarkson.
00:28:12Now Vizard.
00:28:14Eagles looking for the ruck ball.
00:28:16Second row of Birlingham.
00:28:22England suspiciously close to the offside line.
00:28:26I think they might have been lucky to get away with that one.
00:28:54England leading by nine points to nil.
00:28:57Here's the ruck forming.
00:28:58Vizard arriving.
00:28:59Supported by Lambert again.
00:29:01So the ruck is formed.
00:29:06England defence equal in close.
00:29:09We'll see that there's not too many England forwards committed
00:29:13to the rucks and malls.
00:29:14What England have got to do, what America's got to do is commit
00:29:17those extra loose forwards that are skylarking around the sides
00:29:21of the ruck.
00:29:26England certainly can't afford to lose Rob Andrew.
00:29:28They've already lost Peter Williams with a rib cartilage.
00:29:31He wasn't fit for this game.
00:29:39Referee playing advantage.
00:29:40The half-back was offside.
00:29:46Mike Saunders around prematurely.
00:29:59One of the problems with United States rugby is that their
00:30:02players don't take up the game until they're into their late
00:30:05teens and early twenties.
00:30:08Mainly because it's not played in the high schools.
00:30:10But that's starting to change.
00:30:13And one of the main reasons is the cost factor.
00:30:16To kit out a gridiron player now in high school costs $1,200 US.
00:30:21A rugby player costs only $35.
00:30:28Clarkson, left foot.
00:30:30Good pressure there from Doar and also Gary Rees.
00:30:39So there's no doubt that the Americans have to keep the ball
00:30:42out of this area.
00:30:43Wade Dooley at the front.
00:30:45Big charge.
00:30:47And the pass travelled forward.
00:30:53That's what the Americans have got to stop.
00:30:55And then the easiest way to do that is tackle low instead of
00:30:57trying to grab the big men such as Dooley up high.
00:31:00You've got to stop his momentum straight away by hitting him
00:31:02around the boot laces.
00:31:06So this looks to be a fly half.
00:31:08No, it's the big second rower, Ed Burlingham.
00:31:12Remembering the Americans have already lost Bill Shifflett.
00:31:16What's your number five? We didn't quite see him.
00:31:21Bill Shifflett has a broken hand.
00:31:24Legacy of the game against Australia.
00:31:42So the England forwards have been on top of the set pieces.
00:31:46Almost another tight head.
00:31:53Somehow Clarkson got his kick in.
00:31:58Let know how.
00:32:00Well, that was a magnificent ball.
00:32:03Under those circumstances, the American scrum was going
00:32:05backwards at a rate of knots and somehow he still got the ball
00:32:08out.
00:32:20Cambridge again.
00:32:21Jumping superbly with two hands.
00:32:28And just what the Eagles don't want.
00:32:30Another scrum.
00:32:34But you may have seen in that last scrum that the American
00:32:38hooker was lucky to even strike for the ball.
00:32:42Enormous pressure coming from the England front row.
00:32:48Not to mention the English.
00:32:53Not to mention the drive from the two giant second rowers.
00:32:59Andrew.
00:33:01Cut out pass now.
00:33:02This is Salmon.
00:33:04Jonathan Webb stepping beautifully.
00:33:07Harrison's in there.
00:33:11Bailey coming through on Nelson.
00:33:14Fair catch.
00:33:23I wonder if Ray Nelson will be able to keep up his record of a
00:33:29try in every World Cup game.
00:33:33He's a former Scotty Schools representative and a former
00:33:39British under 17 400 metres champion.
00:33:5327-year-old Bath farmer, Graham Doar.
00:34:02Wade Dooley stretching out like a winger.
00:34:04Hill.
00:34:06Chilcott at halfback.
00:34:09Intercepted by Tom Vinick.
00:34:12Gary Lambert.
00:34:14And Nelson puts a bit of sanity back into proceedings.
00:34:20The defence has been first class.
00:34:22England are only leading by nine points.
00:34:24And when you consider we've nearly had 35 minutes of play,
00:34:27that isn't a bad effort.
00:34:29Well, here's a bit of concern for the former lumberjack,
00:34:32Gareth Chilcott.
00:34:34I thought he was a French polisher.
00:34:37Former lumberjack.
00:34:41They're both a wooden based, aren't they?
00:34:43Certainly are.
00:34:51Gary Lambert in two minds.
00:34:54But he got the call from his fullback.
00:35:01Gareth Chilcott has been having constant physiotherapy on his
00:35:04back.
00:35:05But he's been one of the most improved players in the England
00:35:08squad.
00:35:09His fitness has improved markedly.
00:35:11And Tom McNabb, the fitness adviser for the England team,
00:35:14has spoken in glowing terms about this chunky prop forward.
00:35:21He's one of the real characters too in the England squad.
00:35:29Wade Dooley.
00:35:33Offside America.
00:35:37Certainly struggling against the height of Dooley in Bainbridge.
00:35:51This will be Ron May's last assignment in this World Cup.
00:35:55He's the US coach.
00:35:56He's been in charge of them for five years.
00:35:58He brought them out in 1983.
00:36:00And they played well, really, until they came up against
00:36:02Australia, Mark, in that test when the backs got loose.
00:36:05Well, he's certainly brought the side a long way.
00:36:08Obviously, they've still got a distance to go.
00:36:10But, you know, he's gone through the infancy stage.
00:36:13And I think the USA can only get better from here.
00:36:18Has been striking the ball beautifully.
00:36:25That's his second penalty goal.
00:36:33He's also kicked one conversion.
00:36:36Eight minutes before halftime.
00:36:39England leading by this fairly handy margin at the moment.
00:36:48Mike Harrison.
00:36:53Off the side.
00:36:54This is Clarkson.
00:36:58He's following.
00:36:59The Americans are onside.
00:37:00Richard's underneath.
00:37:01Very strong player.
00:37:02Very skillful also.
00:37:07And that's a nice clearing kick by Richard Hill,
00:37:09the England scrum half.
00:37:11He played in the first three Five Nations matches before
00:37:14being suspended for the last game.
00:37:16Cut a cup match at Twickenham.
00:37:18And here he is now playing his first World Cup game.
00:37:21Playing second fiddle to Richard Harding.
00:37:24Here's Bainbridge.
00:37:30Here's the gridiron thrower.
00:37:31Beauty too.
00:37:33Knocked on by Lambert.
00:37:35Referee's playing advantage.
00:37:38Now, big Steve Bainbridge, number five in the England
00:37:43second row.
00:37:44Packing down with Wade Dooley.
00:37:46He must be the only international rugby player to
00:37:48have been able to jump his own height.
00:37:50He's a former schoolboy high jump champion.
00:37:53Clearing six feet, seven and a half.
00:37:57Swanders caught offside again.
00:38:00Referee playing advantage.
00:38:02And now, is he going to award the penalty?
00:38:06Well, he felt that the advantage went England's way.
00:38:09They didn't take advantage.
00:38:11And so we'll see a line-out.
00:38:12Well, I'm a little bit surprised there.
00:38:14He's really got to play the advantage.
00:38:16He put his hand out for an England penalty and really
00:38:19should have followed through with it.
00:38:23Gary Lambert.
00:38:25Back it goes to Brendle.
00:38:29This is Vizzo.
00:38:34Joe Clarkson.
00:38:36That's a very good Gary Owen.
00:38:39Richards.
00:38:41Hasn't he been superb under the high ball?
00:38:45The Eagles arrive in numbers.
00:38:47We have a scrum feed.
00:38:49Someone's lost a boot.
00:38:55Here's Adrian Skeggs, the former man from Lord Howe Island
00:39:00playing with the Warringah Club.
00:39:02But Richards, hasn't he been absolutely breathtaking under
00:39:06that testing high ball?
00:39:08Well, look at this high ball from Clarkson.
00:39:10And I must admit, being an inside former, inside back,
00:39:12just how comforting it is to have a player of his ability,
00:39:15particularly in this type of situation where the forwards are
00:39:18screaming through.
00:39:19I know what I'd do.
00:39:20I'd rather he take it than me.
00:39:24Another furious drive from the American forwards.
00:39:29And England certainly on the back pedal.
00:39:33Once they do get there in numbers to that breakdown,
00:39:36they are quite formidable.
00:39:40Half back.
00:39:41Saunders goes in.
00:39:45Gary Hine.
00:39:46They almost ran into each other there.
00:39:48The Eagles.
00:39:49Can they get the right ball?
00:39:51They still have the scrum feed.
00:39:53Well, it's very difficult for the American backs to attack at the
00:39:56moment because their scrum is going backwards.
00:39:58And we saw then that once the ball did go to Clarkson,
00:40:01he made no attempt to go forward past the advantage line.
00:40:08Yes, this is a real problem area for the Americans, the scrum.
00:40:15That's where they've been outclassed so far.
00:40:17That's a better effort from them.
00:40:23Now, the half back hill is right out away from the scrum.
00:40:25He's not allowed to do that.
00:40:30You're allowed to follow the ball around in the immediate vicinity
00:40:34of the scrum.
00:40:35But he was standing out at fly half,
00:40:37which really ruled him offside because he was in front of the
00:40:40last feet in the scrum.
00:40:45Quick hill again from the Americans.
00:40:48Clarkson.
00:40:49Vinnick.
00:40:50Back to Vizard.
00:40:53Gary Rees.
00:40:56Good play by the England flanker.
00:40:59But the Americans looking as though they might have found a
00:41:01hole.
00:41:26Rob Andrew finding touch midway between 22 and halfway.
00:41:48Mr. Bob Fordham, the touch judge on the far side.
00:41:51He refereed the opening match of this inaugural World Cup between
00:41:55New Zealand and Italy.
00:41:56One the Italians would want to forget.
00:42:13Good line out ball for England.
00:42:17Mike Bailey's following this high kick.
00:42:22Mike Purcell with his first real touch of the ball.
00:42:25And England players going over the top.
00:42:27Not staying on their feet.
00:42:28Good take there by the former gridiron star, Mike Purcell.
00:42:36In that kind of situation, it must be awfully hard to try and
00:42:39stay on your feet.
00:42:40We've seen right throughout the year that referees are giving
00:42:44those type of penalties.
00:42:45It may be better just to try and stay on your feet and just flank
00:42:48the sides.
00:42:49The Eagles running it here.
00:42:51Gary Hine took his eye off the ball.
00:42:54That was a shame.
00:42:56I won't tell you what he said.
00:42:59Well, again, that was a shame.
00:43:01The Eagles have rarely seen the ball, particularly Gary Hine.
00:43:04And the first chance he gets it with a little bit of room to
00:43:06move, he drops the ball.
00:43:09Yes, it was just over-anxiousness from the Eagles'
00:43:12back line.
00:43:13Richards.
00:43:14Clever pass away to Hill.
00:43:19And it looks as though the referees penalising the halfback
00:43:23for maybe picking the ball out of the scrum or one of the
00:43:27players in the England side obstructing an opponent.
00:43:30Hard to see.
00:43:33Two minutes before half-time.
00:43:37Another good kick by Clarkson.
00:43:40Twenty-five metres out.
00:43:43Chance now for the Eagles to launch something.
00:44:02Dooley unopposed at the front.
00:44:05Graham Dorr back to Bainbridge.
00:44:08Hill caught in his pocket.
00:44:10But into touch.
00:44:16Well, these Americans, as I've mentioned, are all very
00:44:20versatile athletes.
00:44:22In a sense, a bit like the American women's field hockey
00:44:25team, who were all athletes.
00:44:27They had no background in field hockey.
00:44:29But they were trained in the finer skills.
00:44:32And there, in 1984 at Los Angeles, they took the bronze
00:44:35medal, defeating Australia in a playoff.
00:44:39It's a nice-looking kick, isn't it?
00:44:43Five metres out.
00:44:56Chance now for England.
00:44:58Francis Clough.
00:45:00Solid tackle it was to Joe Clarkson, the man.
00:45:04Hill to Chilcott.
00:45:06Winterbottom.
00:45:07The Americans driving in.
00:45:09The advantage has gone their way.
00:45:11Richard Hill.
00:45:13Back inside to Richards.
00:45:16He's been a tower of strength.
00:45:18Twenty metres out.
00:45:21Half-time whistle to go any second.
00:45:26So there it is, half-time.
00:45:28England having scored just the one try, leading an American
00:45:32side that has been far from disgraced.
00:45:35Certainly lacking in some of the finer points of the game.
00:45:39But plenty of commitment there, Mark Eller.
00:45:42For England, a try to Winterbottom.
00:45:45A conversion by Webb.
00:45:47He's also kicked two penalties.
00:45:4912-0 at half-time.
00:45:52Quick comments from Mark Eller.
00:45:54Welcome back at the moment.
00:45:56It's England holding the advantage by 12 points to nil.
00:45:59Quick comment, Hill.
00:46:00Well, I'm terribly impressed with this chap, Richards,
00:46:03for England.
00:46:04He's really strong.
00:46:05He looks like a raw bone New Zealander from out of the back
00:46:08of the King Country, really, rather than a man from such a
00:46:11sophisticated country in Europe.
00:46:13Oh, I love him.
00:46:14It's a pleasure to agree with you, Hill.
00:46:17He's a top-ranking number eight.
00:46:20I think in the World Cup.
00:46:22I love that Chilcot, too, in the front row.
00:46:25He looks a very attractive fellow.
00:46:27But England aren't pouring it on yet.
00:46:29And I expect the game will go in much the same tempo,
00:46:32much the same fashion as the game we saw earlier,
00:46:35where England will pour it on in the second half.
00:46:38Certainly the American team have been outclassed in the scrums.
00:46:41But they're still giving enough cheek to show that they are
00:46:44still a threat for this last 40 minutes.
00:46:46Well, they're doing what they always do.
00:46:48They tackle well.
00:46:49And the English backs are standing absolutely static.
00:46:52Andrew's standing still all day long.
00:46:54And then he's shoveling one wide pass across to Jamie Salmon.
00:46:57And he's standing still.
00:46:58And they're trying to flick a fullback and a wing three-quarter
00:47:01outside, which means pretty easy to sort of judge where you're
00:47:04going to have to make your tackle.
00:47:06It's going to be outside Jamie Salmon.
00:47:08And therefore, it's going to be a lot easier to get the ball.
00:47:11Bill Curtin.
00:47:12OK, time for a restart.
00:47:13Let's return to the Concord Oval.
00:47:15And Mark Allen.
00:47:33So welcome back for the second half of this game between the
00:47:36United States and England.
00:47:38The final pool match in the Australian sector.
00:47:42And the winner of this game to go through to the quarterfinals.
00:47:46And the winner will also play Wales in that quarterfinal.
00:47:49England leading at halftime by 12 points to nil.
00:47:52And joining us for the third quarter of this game,
00:47:55a special guest.
00:47:56I'll come back to that.
00:47:59Dean Richards.
00:48:02Of course, he's sweeping, but he's been forced back five metres.
00:48:06Richard Hill.
00:48:08Andrew.
00:48:11Not his best kick.
00:48:12Straight up.
00:48:13Lambert's underneath.
00:48:15Oh, well taken.
00:48:16No, it wasn't.
00:48:17Harrison lost ahead.
00:48:20Advantage here for the Eagles.
00:48:21Nelson.
00:48:24And that's a good clearance.
00:48:26About seven metres from halfway.
00:48:28Yes, our special guest is Colin Scott.
00:48:31He's the first Australian to play in America's National Football League
00:48:34after being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals.
00:48:37Colin's last experience with international rugby was on the
00:48:40Australian schoolboys' unbeaten tour of the UK in 81-82.
00:48:43So that means he's played with men like Michael Liner,
00:48:46Brett Papworth, Matt Burke, Cameron Lillicap,
00:48:48Steve Tyneman and Mark Harthill.
00:48:52Bainbridge jumping superbly.
00:48:54Andrew again with beautiful clearance from his halfback.
00:48:57This is Clough.
00:48:58And England's got a case of the dropsies.
00:49:00Twelve metres from halfway.
00:49:03Now a good opportunity for the Eagles.
00:49:05Clarkson trying to lob it inside the touchline.
00:49:08Bounce important.
00:49:09He's got it in the web.
00:49:12He loves to counterattack this England full-back, Gareth Chilcott.
00:49:16Skillful play by the prop forward.
00:49:18Bainbridge.
00:49:20Hill flicks on.
00:49:21Andrew.
00:49:22Overlap for England here.
00:49:23Winterbottom.
00:49:24Looming up now is Clough.
00:49:26Harrison.
00:49:27Siding break from the England skipper.
00:49:29He's still going for the corner.
00:49:34Desperate defence from the American Eagles.
00:49:37But, Colin, it must be frustrating.
00:49:39I guess you'd love to be out on the field.
00:49:41That's for sure, Gordon.
00:49:43This is the game that started it all for me.
00:49:45I'm envious of any rugby player out there at the moment.
00:49:47That's for sure.
00:49:49Now what about this Eagles side as we have a look at this replay?
00:49:52They're very committed in defence.
00:49:54That's for sure.
00:49:55That's the Americans' system, defence.
00:49:57That's where it starts.
00:49:59English looking really good there.
00:50:01Backing up each other very well.
00:50:04Seven metres out.
00:50:05Richard Hill to Gary Rees.
00:50:08Another loose pass.
00:50:10Just getting a little flustered, England.
00:50:12But full marks to the bustling tactics of the American Eagles.
00:50:16And I might ask you what influence American football
00:50:21or grid irons had on the Eagles' play.
00:50:24Have you seen any signs coming out in their performance?
00:50:27Definitely, Gordon.
00:50:28I'd say the tackling technique.
00:50:30American football is, you know, that's one thing we really are drilled on
00:50:33is tackling and tackling low.
00:50:34And you've probably seen some in a couple of other games
00:50:37how they really do go at like a spear sort of technique.
00:50:40That's the way we're taught.
00:50:42And I think, you know, just in discipline, staying low
00:50:44and just, you know, how Americans are.
00:50:49Discipline's their way.
00:50:54But there's a real problem area for the Americans in the scrums.
00:50:58England's been penalised this time.
00:51:00But they've got the size and the bulk.
00:51:03Yes, you can just see by looking at it, Gordon, yes,
00:51:05they're definitely a bigger side than the Americans.
00:51:07But, yeah, that's where you've got to set it in the scrums.
00:51:10And they're certainly having problems holding the front.
00:51:17Now rugby in the United States, how popular is it?
00:51:19Picking up, Gordon.
00:51:21I've been watching a few games in Hawaii actually
00:51:23and I've been really impressed with the potential that's been going on.
00:51:26It seems to be picking up every year.
00:51:28More teams, more interest.
00:51:29And I'm just hoping, you know, one of these years
00:51:31that the US will come out and really give one of these big nations
00:51:34a real run for their money.
00:51:38Gary Hine couldn't take it.
00:51:41Gill on the short side, Winterbottom.
00:51:47And I don't think the England backs were impressed there.
00:51:49I thought they felt the ball should have come their way.
00:51:52Gary Reece looking for a try and he's lost it.
00:51:59Well, they're certainly giving England something to think about in this game.
00:52:03The score is 12-0 at the moment.
00:52:05And both sides looking for victory here to win through to the quarterfinals.
00:52:11Yeah, lovely to get back.
00:52:12I haven't seen a good game of rugby in about two years, Gordon.
00:52:15It's really terrific to be here.
00:52:17Well, this is a marvellous achievement for you,
00:52:19being the first Australian to play in America's National Football League.
00:52:22How's it all come about for you?
00:52:26Actually, it all started, of course, from the Australian schoolboys
00:52:28touring the 81-82.
00:52:31It was just by fluke that we were playing against an American side
00:52:34in a University of Hawaii.
00:52:38There's a University of Hawaii coach just walked across the field
00:52:40and said, gee, these guys are crazy.
00:52:42I wonder if a rugby player could possibly play American football.
00:52:44So he came down to Australia and actually asked Steve Tyneman,
00:52:47who went, of course, a lock for Australia,
00:52:49and myself if we'd like to come over.
00:52:51And I sort of said, oh, you know, it's a bit of a joke.
00:52:53But then I started adding it all up and realised I could get a scholarship
00:52:56and everything else that went into the American scholarship system.
00:53:00And I just said, you know, I'm crazy if I don't take this up.
00:53:05It certainly is quite a fairy tale for you.
00:53:08And Winterbottom has scored.
00:53:10No control at the back of the American scrum.
00:53:14Right of the straw, man.
00:53:17And again, the Achilles heel for the Eagles.
00:53:20They're scrummaging.
00:53:27Just lack of control. Yep, that's scrum again.
00:53:30They can't hold it.
00:53:33It came out in the deeper channel.
00:53:35Should have come out the locks feet, I guess.
00:53:37And Saunders, the halfback, a little slow to size up the situation.
00:53:42Peter Winterbottom certainly wasn't.
00:53:44He's a fine player, that fellow.
00:54:02Jonathan Webb has been right on target today.
00:54:06I think he could teach a couple of Americans how to kick that fellow.
00:54:08That's a beautiful style.
00:54:13Right on target.
00:54:16Bullseye with the ABC cameraman, too.
00:54:21Yes. Now, what does this mean for you?
00:54:24Being selected by the St. Louis Cardinals?
00:54:26I go into camp, Gordon, in about a month and a half
00:54:29for six weeks of intense training.
00:54:31And hopefully at the end of that, I'll be playing in next year
00:54:34with the William Frigerator Perrys and all the boys,
00:54:37which is really exciting.
00:54:40Rob Andrew.
00:54:43Saunders.
00:54:44Here's Gary Hine.
00:54:46Back it goes to the big US hooker, John Everett.
00:54:50The American backs haven't seen a lot of the ball.
00:54:54This is Webb.
00:54:5618-0 the score.
00:54:58England doing it pretty comfortably now.
00:55:00Gary Lambert underneath.
00:55:02Star in the Eagles seven-a-side team.
00:55:10Well, tremendous break here by Harrison.
00:55:13He's run through seven or eight players.
00:55:15Hine going down on the loose ball.
00:55:17Just missed the flying boot of Gareth Chilcott.
00:55:23Hand in the ruck against America.
00:55:28And I guess this is going to mean a lot of money for you, too.
00:55:31Yes, Gordon, it certainly is.
00:55:33That's American sport.
00:55:34And if you can make it in the American system,
00:55:37especially in football,
00:55:38there's certainly a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
00:55:41Almost a pot of gold at the end of Mike Harrison's rainbow here.
00:55:44But a desperate diving tackle by Causey stopped his momentum.
00:55:48And there you saw number one, Gareth Chilcott,
00:55:51hacking at the ball and narrowly missing the skull
00:55:55of one of his opponents.
00:55:57Actually, Gordon, we have a fellow from New Zealand,
00:55:59Mark Newer, who's been doing very, very well on the team.
00:56:02And he'll have a good shot of going pro, too,
00:56:04in a couple of years.
00:56:06He's really been looking good.
00:56:17Jonathan Webb looking for another penalty goal.
00:56:20This will be his...
00:56:29third penalty goal.
00:56:36Three tries, two conversions and three penalties.
00:56:40Personal tally now of thirteen points for Jonathan Webb.
00:56:43And he's really chasing hard after that in England.
00:56:48Individual record of twenty-two.
00:56:53Twenty-one points to nil.
00:56:57Rob Andrew.
00:57:00England feeling very much a second string
00:57:04line this afternoon with key members Rory Underwood,
00:57:07Kevin Sims, Richard Harding all missing.
00:57:12But the replacements have certainly been impressive.
00:57:15Here's Lambert, wrapped up by Gary Rees.
00:57:21And the Eagles now have the scrum to beat.
00:57:24Yes, what sort of money do you stand to win?
00:57:26I know Gary Hine is captain of the University of California
00:57:29on the left wing for the Eagles.
00:57:32He's hoping to get a contract for about $100,000.
00:57:35But we'll just watch Andrew here, probing.
00:57:38That's a bottom-run contract, but I guess
00:57:41there's potential to earn up to the millionaire status, isn't there?
00:57:44That's for sure. I've been talking
00:57:47$300,000, $500,000 a year and that's only for six months' work.
00:57:51Makes hard work look a bit stupid.
00:57:54And what about your lifespan?
00:57:56What's your lifespan football-wise?
00:57:58Usually, unfortunately, three years for my position.
00:58:00It just happens to be what I call a Russian front,
00:58:03the hardest position to play on the American Football League.
00:58:06But I'll be looking to play a little bit longer than that.
00:58:10Tape me up, I'll be right.
00:58:13Joe Clarkson.
00:58:16Mike Purcell coming through.
00:58:21Now the referee has ruled men in front of the kicker there.
00:58:25And I must say, I don't agree.
00:58:28Maybe there was someone inside the ten metres,
00:58:31but Purcell was certainly behind the kicker.
00:58:37Just trying to get these rugby rules down again good enough.
00:58:40All these American rules are a lot different.
00:58:44They still confuse the commentators, don't worry.
00:58:5121-0.
00:58:53Four England tries.
00:58:55To Peter Witterbottom, two.
00:58:58Two conversions by Webb and three penalty goals by Webb.
00:59:02There's a good jump by Vizard.
00:59:03Birlingham comes through.
00:59:09Gary Rees. Tackled by Saunders, knocked on by Hill.
00:59:13England going over the top.
00:59:14The referee's playing the knock-on.
00:59:18They seem to be working the blind very well this time.
00:59:22They've made a lot of inroads there, haven't they?
00:59:38American scrum in disarray.
00:59:39Andrew to Salmon and Webb in the line.
00:59:43Harrison.
00:59:45We've seen some very scrappy and sloppy play
00:59:48from England's side in the second half.
00:59:51Here comes the fourth tighthead.
00:59:59Well, Cole, you're a pretty big lad.
01:00:01You played second row in the Australian schoolboy team.
01:00:10As England whip it to their backs.
01:00:13Rees ever present.
01:00:16Lovely work by Hill.
01:00:18He's in the movement again.
01:00:22England's scrum half has really enjoyed himself out there
01:00:25this afternoon. Just in finishing.
01:00:27What are your physical measurements?
01:00:30Six foot six goody and
01:00:32275 pounds, about nine and a half stone, twenty stone.
01:00:35And I guess you're pretty fast.
01:00:36Yes, I have to be fast to play the American game.
01:00:39That's for sure.
01:00:40Well,
01:00:42our production assistant Janet says you'll do her.
01:00:47But anyway, we wish you all the best
01:00:49with the St. Louis Cardinals.
01:00:51And I'm sure New Zealand viewers
01:00:53were interested to hear of your success.
01:00:55And we'll certainly follow your progress.
01:00:57And thanks for joining us.
01:00:59And we're sorry to see you've been lost to rugby.
01:01:02Yes, thank you very much, Gordon.
01:01:03My pleasure.
01:01:09Bainbridge got a hand to it.
01:01:17Just a hint of a right hand from
01:01:20the American.
01:01:21Two number fives opposed.
01:01:25He's been around
01:01:27for quite a while.
01:01:28Ed Birmingham.
01:01:31He was voted the best all-round athlete at senior school.
01:01:36And there he is, formerly of Preston Grasshoppers,
01:01:38Wade Dooley.
01:01:41He's the first Lancashire policeman to be capped
01:01:44for England.
01:01:48He was also the Lancashire Constabulary's
01:01:51Sportsman of the Year in 1985.
01:02:01Yes, so Mark Ellis moved back in now.
01:02:03And Colin Scott, he's a big lad, isn't he?
01:02:05Ninety and a half stone.
01:02:06He really is.
01:02:07I'm just taking a bit of time to adjust my headsets.
01:02:18Yes, a super athlete and
01:02:21as fast as a winger.
01:02:22He can run, I guess,
01:02:25even time for a hundred metres.
01:02:26You have to.
01:02:27Well, it's incredible that a man that big,
01:02:29you know, some 19, 20-odd stone can
01:02:32run probably even time.
01:02:43Well, the England cab certainly breathing easily
01:02:45and they've matched the American scrum
01:02:47a full 15 metres.
01:02:52Rob Andrew, here's Webb again.
01:02:57And the Eagles' backs have been ruled offside.
01:03:00The crowd boos.
01:03:02So we've had 15 minutes of play in this second half.
01:03:15The game hasn't risen to any heights, Mark,
01:03:17but it's a do or die.
01:03:20Well, just look at this English scrum here.
01:03:22Referee Fitzgerald has been critical all day
01:03:24of the offside law.
01:03:25We really can't sit in that angle.
01:03:26It was a bit of a mess up between English backs.
01:03:29But, you know, the inside backs for America
01:03:31must have been offside.
01:03:54Webb looking for his fourth penalty goal.
01:03:57No problem.
01:04:00Sixteen points so far.
01:04:02And the young man is all smiles.
01:04:07So England now really cruising.
01:04:09Fifteen minutes gone.
01:04:10I know they're safe as far as the quarterfinals
01:04:13are concerned.
01:04:16They'll have a clash with Wales.
01:04:23That match will be played in Brisbane
01:04:26on the eighth of June.
01:04:28That's next Monday.
01:04:35Rob Andrew out to Clough.
01:04:39Well taken by Purcell.
01:04:40Nelson's outside.
01:04:46Richards in the way again.
01:04:48Couldn't take it.
01:04:50The Eagles arrive in numbers.
01:04:51Can they get the ball out?
01:04:53Oh, what a shame.
01:04:56The referees found a knock forward.
01:04:59The unfortunate part of that moment was the halfback,
01:05:02Saunders, was trying to get the ball,
01:05:03but the players were still rushing him behind him
01:05:05and that's causing him to knock on the ball.
01:05:07We'll see it here.
01:05:08It was a good run by Purcell to Nelson.
01:05:12Put up the high ball.
01:05:13Again, that man Richards was back there protecting it.
01:05:15Rob Andrew took it off him.
01:05:17But really the English or the American forwards
01:05:19just came steamrolling over the top.
01:05:21We'll see the halfback going pretty soon,
01:05:24trying to get the ball.
01:05:25It was virtually everywhere.
01:05:27He just couldn't get to it and must have knocked it on.
01:05:33There's Nelson with his chip ahead.
01:05:36And look at the eager Americans following through.
01:05:39Richards comes in.
01:05:40He tried to slip it back to Andrew.
01:05:44The ball was jolted free.
01:05:56And again the American scrum is down.
01:05:59The Eagles had a penalty try ruled against them in Brisbane.
01:06:03A somewhat controversial decision when it appeared
01:06:05as though the sheer weight of the Australian pack
01:06:08had caused the American scrum to go down
01:06:10rather than the Eagles collapsing.
01:06:16But Mark, I would say that the Eagles' scrum
01:06:19against Australia was probably better
01:06:21than their scrummaging today.
01:06:22And they've made a lot of changes with this side today.
01:06:24Well, that's right.
01:06:25I think this team may lack a little bit of combination.
01:06:28Obviously, this is the first time
01:06:30that this squad of eight have been together.
01:06:32But I think the English pack have just really
01:06:36just drove in nice and low all day
01:06:39and really put pressure on the opposition.
01:06:43Oh!
01:06:49Just outside the 22.
01:07:00Andrew pumping the ball up the touchline
01:07:02five metres from the halfway.
01:07:06Very balmy day here in Sydney.
01:07:10Cloud cover encroaching on the ground now.
01:07:14It certainly helps our television pictures
01:07:16because we get a very big shadow from the grandstand.
01:07:23And the Americans guilty of not throwing the ball
01:07:25straight into the line-out.
01:07:27And John Everett usually spot on in that area.
01:07:3624 points to nil.
01:07:39England with the ascendancy.
01:07:44Andrew certainly used his right foot quite often this afternoon.
01:07:52And it has kept the Eagles on the back foot.
01:07:55Well, that was the same tactics that Williams used
01:07:57against the Japanese.
01:07:58And I don't think England are going to take any chances at all.
01:08:01Obviously, they're going to win this game.
01:08:03But they don't want to give any points away at all.
01:08:13Gareth Chilcott says, who me?
01:08:17A look of astonishment on his face.
01:08:21The ball was knocked back.
01:08:27Offside, England.
01:08:28Booker Graham door.
01:08:34This man hasn't seen much of the ball.
01:08:36Kevin Higgins.
01:08:42Andrew, Webb, Salmon.
01:08:44Harrison's outside.
01:08:47Salmon clapping on the pace.
01:08:48But we've seen quite a few ankle taps also this afternoon.
01:08:53Now the Americans have a chance to run back at England.
01:08:58Here's Gary Hine.
01:09:04Just short of halfway.
01:09:05Chilcott across in cover defence.
01:09:10Great to see the big men, the prop forwards,
01:09:12getting around the paddock so well.
01:09:14And that's been a feature of England's play in the tournament, Mark.
01:09:16Their mobility and fitness.
01:09:18Yes, it has been.
01:09:19And the English forwards have been driving through,
01:09:21particularly the weaker oppositions, all the time.
01:09:23And therefore, they're drawing on the props and the second rowers
01:09:26and the hookers to really become involved.
01:09:28We'll look at this movement here.
01:09:32Lovely inside pass to Purcell.
01:09:34But all of a sudden, the ball popped up for Hill.
01:09:36It went right along the English back line.
01:09:38And again, as Gordon said, the ankle tap really stopped that movement.
01:09:41Jamie Salmon was looking dangerous.
01:09:43A desperation attempt.
01:09:45And really, that stopped the movement.
01:09:47Jamie Salmon well known to New Zealand viewers,
01:09:50having started his international career with the All Blacks,
01:09:54formerly of Wellington.
01:09:57And Jamie Salmon played his first test match for England
01:10:03against New Zealand at Christchurch in 1985.
01:10:15Twenty-four points to nil in favour of England.
01:10:19Good jump by Lambert.
01:10:21Nelson's coming in from fullback.
01:10:23Here he is.
01:10:26Bad pass to Purcell.
01:10:30Well, frustration for the Americans.
01:10:33Lack of cohesion.
01:10:35I think Winger Purcell didn't make it easy for his fullback.
01:10:39In fact, that pass looked a touch forward.
01:10:41He's really got to give his fullback enough time to come into
01:10:44the back line, settle himself and then make an easy pass.
01:10:50Richards to Hill.
01:10:56Andrew.
01:10:58Clough with a nice pass to Harrison.
01:11:00Jonathan Webb.
01:11:05Graham Daw, the hooker.
01:11:07Clough landed only ten metres out.
01:11:15England has scored two tries in this game,
01:11:18but a third is in the offing.
01:11:20Again, the mobility of the English forward stood out
01:11:23when the player to receive the ball off the wing of Harrison
01:11:26was in fact Hooker Dawes.
01:11:41This is Jamie Salmon to Clough.
01:11:43Back to Webb.
01:11:45Fifteen metres out.
01:11:47Good clearance by Winterbottom.
01:11:49Now it's Mike Bailey.
01:11:51Lovely pass inside.
01:11:53Harrison over for England.
01:11:55Their third try.
01:12:04Skillful passing from the England side.
01:12:07That's Harrison's fourth try of the tournament.
01:12:10His fifth try of the tournament after a hat-trick against Japan.
01:12:13What a good English movement.
01:12:15It started with Salmon taking it on inside again.
01:12:18Quick hands.
01:12:20Webb involved in everything.
01:12:22We'll see it here coming on the back line.
01:12:24Bailey did extremely well.
01:12:26He kept the ball alive.
01:12:28It looked like he was cornered by his opposite number, Purcell.
01:12:31Salmon in good support and a quick one-two to Harrison
01:12:34to score his fifth try for the tournament.
01:12:36Yes, great support here from the England players.
01:12:39A linked man was Peter Winterbottom.
01:12:41He's been everywhere this afternoon.
01:12:43Watch how he picks up the ball overhead
01:12:45and then a good cut-out pass from Salmon.
01:12:47Beautifully there by Bailey.
01:12:49And then through the hands.
01:12:51And a fine England try.
01:13:01Jonathan Webb has had a super day with the boot.
01:13:1228 points to nil.
01:13:14We'll just see that try again.
01:13:16It was good hands by Bailey, but he didn't panic.
01:13:18Even though Purcell had him covered,
01:13:20he tried to jink in and out when he was finally cornered.
01:13:22Again, good support by Salmon.
01:13:24And there goes our cameraman.
01:13:26Yes, it looks even better from upside down.
01:13:33That's really getting in the action.
01:13:35Well, the ABC tried to cover as many angles as possible,
01:13:38so I suppose that was just another one of them.
01:13:42I'm just wondering whether the try has been awarded
01:13:44by the ABC cameraman.
01:13:58Burlingham clears well to Lambert.
01:14:02Joe Clarkson supporting.
01:14:04He's the fly half.
01:14:06Benick with a chip ahead.
01:14:10Jonathan Webb comfortably taking the ball over the touchline.
01:14:13And he's got it.
01:14:16England leading by 28 points to nil.
01:14:19Two tries to Peter Winterbottom.
01:14:22One to Mike Harrison.
01:14:24Two conversions by Webb.
01:14:26He's also kicked four penalty goals.
01:14:28His personal tally, 16 points.
01:14:33I'm surprised that linesman Fordham didn't see that slight touch
01:14:38in the back of an English player by Lambert.
01:14:43Let's push this over.
01:14:47Americans push right off the ball.
01:14:49Another tight head.
01:14:50Number five for England.
01:15:01Well, I think the Eagles are going to have to get hold
01:15:03of one of those powerhouse scrummaging machines.
01:15:06England up inside the ten metres from the line-up.
01:15:10Most of the top international countries use the scrummaging machine.
01:15:18I know the Wallabies took it right round Britain and New Zealand.
01:15:23And what's going on here?
01:15:27Ray Nelson.
01:15:28Quick hands.
01:15:29Purcell for the corner.
01:15:33Trey.
01:15:36Look at Mike Purcell.
01:15:39He is over the moon.
01:15:50Well, the American Eagles haven't had a lot of joy during the tournament
01:15:53apart from their win over Japan,
01:15:54but they're getting a standing ovation at the moment
01:15:56from the Concord Oval crowd.
01:15:58Well, this was desperation stuff for the Americans.
01:16:00They really had to take the tap,
01:16:01but just look at Purcell once he gets the ball
01:16:04from the half-back Saunders.
01:16:07I think Dooley pushed him,
01:16:08but it was virtually tiptoeing down that sideline.
01:16:10Richards came across, but it was too late.
01:16:13And an anxious look from Purcell after he'd scored the try,
01:16:15looking back at the referee.
01:16:18Just look at it here.
01:16:19Dooley comes across, pushes him.
01:16:20He looks at the line, actually tiptoes down it,
01:16:22and a great try.
01:16:25Marvellous try for the Eagles.
01:16:27That will give them great heart.
01:16:30Nelson struck it well.
01:16:32It's over.
01:16:3822 points the difference.
01:16:39The margin looks to be far too great with 15 minutes to go,
01:16:42but what an effort here by Mike Purcell.
01:16:46Tiptoe through the tulips.
01:16:50Well, it was an incredible balancing act.
01:16:52Not only did he have to tiptoe down that sideline,
01:16:54but he had to virtually tiptoe through the tulips.
01:16:57Not only did he have to tiptoe down that sideline,
01:16:59but he had to virtually lunge himself across the try line.
01:17:09Birlingham takes it.
01:17:11Dooley thumps in.
01:17:13Here's Lambert.
01:17:18Well, I know Alan Jones was very critical
01:17:20of both the English and American sides
01:17:22after the Australian team played them.
01:17:24He stated that they were offside far too often,
01:17:26and I think Terry Fitzgerald may have read those articles.
01:17:30There's a whopping clearance by Clarkson.
01:17:37And the crowd went out further up the field.
01:17:44So the Eagles certainly have their supporters in numbers here.
01:17:50Lost a head by Rick Bailey.
01:17:54Number one.
01:17:56Loose head prop from all blues.
01:17:58A former linebacker at California Berkeley.
01:18:05Several of the US forwards with gridiron backgrounds.
01:18:09Well, there's a tight head for the United States.
01:18:12There's a surprise.
01:18:15Kick and chase.
01:18:17Higgins coming through.
01:18:19Webb barrelled. The mark's been paid.
01:18:25Well, that's the second time Winterbottom has thrown that punch.
01:18:28Obviously, he's connected this time.
01:18:30It looks like he's really laid one of the American players out.
01:18:36It may not have been the punch, in fact.
01:18:38It looks like he's holding some other part of his body,
01:18:41maybe the person who made the tackle.
01:18:44Clarkson with a very good kick here.
01:18:47And the Americans really chased hard.
01:18:50Fine take by Jonathan Webb.
01:19:14Webb very secure under the high ball.
01:19:17Solid tackle by Higgins.
01:19:19There it was there.
01:19:20I think that's where he's actually hurt his shoulder or his arm.
01:19:24Vinnick.
01:19:29So Tom Vinnick from Hartford, Connecticut.
01:19:34He's OK.
01:19:3828 points to six.
01:19:40England can't afford to relax already.
01:19:42They've just lost a tight head.
01:19:44What they can't afford by relaxing is injuries.
01:19:46If they take it too easy,
01:19:47particularly against these physical American players,
01:19:50they will come off the field losing one or two of their key players.
01:19:57We haven't seen any gridiron passes from the backs in the tournament.
01:20:05Perhaps we might get that through before the game's out.
01:20:09Andrew.
01:20:13Mike Purcell.
01:20:18And again, referee Fitzgerald,
01:20:21I think ruling that the American side rough side
01:20:23has been absolutely vicious on this aspect today.
01:20:29Webb not handling.
01:20:38It hasn't been England's best performance of the tournament,
01:20:47but they've certainly done enough to make their quarterfinal spot secure.
01:20:53The scrummaging has been a feature.
01:21:01It's really been the launching pad for England this afternoon,
01:21:04their superior scrum.
01:21:09Gareth Chilcott played a tight head against Japan.
01:21:18Lambert, the flanker picking up.
01:21:24Again, Clarkson kicking too far.
01:21:33Eleven minutes remaining before full time.
01:21:38The crowd building up. Australia to meet Japan in the next game
01:21:41here at Concord.
01:21:43Ireland taking on Tonga in Brisbane.
01:21:46That will clash with the game here in Sydney.
01:22:03Dooley.
01:22:06Bainbridge goes in.
01:22:12Loose pass.
01:22:15Francis Clough with a searching kick down to the 22.
01:22:18Snatched away by Nelson.
01:22:20He says, come with me, Gary.
01:22:23Nelson stretching his legs.
01:22:29Bailey in good position.
01:22:32The referee has ruled accidental shepherding,
01:22:36accidental obstruction, not intentional.
01:22:39I was a little bit surprised that Nelson kicked this ball.
01:22:42He finally did all the good work and had two or three players in support,
01:22:46but then we just saw then it was a shepherd.
01:22:51I don't even think the English hook is even striking,
01:22:53the American hook is striking for the ball.
01:22:57They're playing on quickly.
01:23:00England didn't retire the ten.
01:23:03They still haven't retired the ten.
01:23:09So we might see another set play here.
01:23:14Joe Clarkson from Los Angeles.
01:23:16Ed Birlingham, the big skipper, from California.
01:23:21Up and under.
01:23:23Here they come.
01:23:24Taken brilliantly by Richards again.
01:23:27It was moving, though.
01:23:29No mark paid.
01:23:31And the Eagles will have the scrum feed.
01:23:34Well, I think Clarkson made a mistake then.
01:23:36Of all the people to kick it to,
01:23:37he's probably kicked it to the most capable player in the English side.
01:23:42Yes, the English have been cleverly not allowing the Americans
01:23:46to settle in their scrummaging.
01:23:48That's when they're able to push them back.
01:23:50They were ready that time.
01:23:52Vizard.
01:23:54Forward pass.
01:23:59And it's in.
01:24:01And it's in.
01:24:03And it's in.
01:24:05And it's in.
01:24:07And it's in.
01:24:09And it's in.
01:24:14It just shows the lack of the Americans at the moment.
01:24:17England immediately dropped off their back row.
01:24:20What they should have done is controlled it in the number eight position
01:24:23and then try and put on that second shove as England have done consistently
01:24:26throughout this tournament.
01:24:32Well, the two front rows have certainly seen a lot of the Concord oval turf
01:24:35this afternoon.
01:24:40And it's in.
01:24:48Andrew on his left foot.
01:24:50Hurried kick. He's gained about
01:24:52two metres in the field of play.
01:24:55So can the Eagles score again?
01:25:00I wonder if they might try a long
01:25:04gridiron pass here.
01:25:10We saw the Canadians do it against Ireland
01:25:14from
01:25:16an attacking position
01:25:18or a defensive position, I should say.
01:25:20And the ball was thrown beyond the goal posts.
01:25:23But unfortunately,
01:25:25the pass went astray.
01:25:27Well, Martin Green would be very satisfied with today's performance.
01:25:30And probably, as I said before, all he's hoping is that
01:25:3315 fit players come off that field.
01:25:37I'd be very surprised if the Americans throw a long ball in here.
01:25:40England are only about one metre away from the actual line out.
01:25:43Yeah, I guess it's wishful thinking on my part.
01:25:46Unless he can throw it to the winger,
01:25:48Hine, about 50 yards across the field.
01:25:53Taken at the front by Bailey.
01:25:55Saunders calling for it. Here it is.
01:25:57Can they get over the goal line?
01:25:59Long cut out. Hine.
01:26:02And Rob Andrew
01:26:04scurries the ball away.
01:26:08This is Purcell.
01:26:12Pass went forward.
01:26:14Well, Gary Hine's hands have let him down this afternoon.
01:26:18I must admit, I'm not the greatest fan of
01:26:21terribly long passes.
01:26:23Because they sit in the air too long.
01:26:25Admittedly, Hine should have taken it.
01:26:28Hine should have taken it.
01:26:30But he was under pressure.
01:26:38Hills used the short side cleverly.
01:26:40Harrison coming through.
01:26:43Well taken by Hine.
01:26:45Spectacular stuff from the left winger.
01:26:58Gary Hine on the left wing wasn't able to train
01:27:00two days ago with the Eagles side because he has a
01:27:03badly sprained left ankle.
01:27:05It's patched up and
01:27:07I'm just amazed he's managed to get out there this afternoon.
01:27:24But the Eagles have certainly won plenty of
01:27:26trim.