A fantastic second half performance from Scotland saw them run out 39-16 bonus point winners at Elland Rd against the USA this afternoon, making it two from two.
The USA put in an excellent first half performance to lead at the break and another Pool B shock looked on the cards, but Vern Cotters side dominated the second 40 minutes to romp home, blitzing the USA with three trys in the first 13 minutes of the half.
Trys from Tim Visser, Sean Maitland and WP Nel sent Scotland on their way to victory and killed off the the Eagles' challenge.
Former Blackrock college man AJ McGinty got the USA off the mark before a long range Stuart Hogg penalty and then a Finn Russell effort pushed the Scots back in front.
USA went out to play rugby and they were rewarded in the 21st minute as Titi Lamositele burrowed over after numerous phases and quick ball brought them to the line. McGinty added the extras and the led by four.
TRY TIME!!! Titi LamosItele powers over for the first try of the game 6-10 #SCOvUSA https://t.co/L6yDrioWVa
— KICCA (@KICCASPORT) September 27, 2015
Scotland almost responded immediately after Hogg broke the line in midfield and raced into the 22', however, his pass to Visser was dropped and it was an opportunity spurned.
USA went in hunt of another try before the break but they had to settle for three as McGinty turned Scotland indiscipline into points, meaning they went into the break seven to the good. The star of the first half though was USA's outside centre Seamus Kelly as he was a constant threat with ball in hand with his powerful running.
Then the turnaround came as Scotland crossed the white wash three times early in the second half. First it was Visser who raced home down the left.
.@timbovisser runs over for #SCO's first try of the game. BUT Russell fails to convert so #SCO still trail by 2 https://t.co/BZgZ2e5FXG
— KICCA (@KICCASPORT) September 27, 2015
Five minutes later, Scotland came pouring forward again and Maitland found a gap after a smart offload from Finn Russell.
Russell with the show-and-go before finding Maitland to help #SCO take the game by the scruff of the neck #SCOvUSA https://t.co/uVkJsM0seI
— KICCA (@KICCASPORT) September 27, 2015
Nel then got in on the action as Scotland really began to assert their dominance, the South African born prop crashing over after numerous phases for his first test try. The USA could hardly get out of their 22' never mind their half for the opening 25 minutes of the second half and it was reflected on the scoreboard when Matt Scott took a great line and beat two defenders on his way to the line.
Lovely line by Matt Scott to secure the all important bonus point for #SCO it's 32-16 #SCOvUSA https://t.co/83Wi72zydn
— KICCA (@KICCASPORT) September 27, 2015
It was job done but the USA had one big push to get themselves a losing bonus point in the final few minutes as they camped themselves in the Scottish 22' in search of a try, but it never came. A mixture of stern Scottish defence and white line fever meant Scotland could clear their lines and launch one more attack.
That attack resulted in Duncan Weir, a replacement for the excellent Russel, barrelling over for their fifth to cap off a fantastic second half for Scotland.
The result sends Scotland top with maximum points and three clear of South Africa. USA remain rooted bottom of the pool and they will be disappointed with the scoreline after a great first half effort.
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