In second round pool play of the 2005 Maccabiah Rugby competition, USA topped Canada 40-25 in a penalty-filled contest. USA dominated all facets of the game in the first half to build a 29-3 lead, but the Canadians fought back in the second half to pull to within 9 points, capitalizing on penalties and USA’s lack of focus. However, the Americans were able to settle back into its groove for the final 20 minutes to seal the victory. USA is now 2-0 while Canada fell to 0-2.

Both teams were unsure if the game would be held. In the late afternoon, a suicide terrorist detonated a bomb at a shopping mall in Netanya, just miles from the hotel where the rugby teams were staying. As both teams waited in the lobby to hear news, no one was allowed to leave as security assessed the situation. However, the roads and the bomb scene were quickly secured, and life soon returned to normal. Kickoff was delayed by only 30 minutes. Four people were killed in the bombing, including two 16-year-olds, and 95 were injured. It was the first terrorist violence in Netanya since the Passover bombing in 2002.

The first half belonged to the USA. Scrumhalf Mike Fair opened the scoring, slotting a penalty from 22 meters following aggressive rucking (3-0). The Americans continued their attack, and on another penalty attempt minutes later, center Adam Meyer fell on the ball in the try zone, hustling under a failed penalty attempt by Fair (8-0). USA then scored off a set piece when a lineout ball went through the backline and Meyer found a seam and made a break. The play ended with #8 Guy Dotan receiving the final pass from 10 meters out to touch it down under the posts. Fair conversion (15-0). USA ball possession continued in the attacking zone. Lock Aaron Davis needed no help on a 5-meter penalty play, tapping the ball and bulling through two tacklers to earn the try. Fair conversion (22-0). USA then scored off a 5 meter scrum when Dotan picked up and found paydirt. Fair conversion (29-0). Canada slotted a penalty kick just before halftime, but the momentum was all with the USA side (29-3).

In the second half, USA showed that it had the ability to lose intensity, while the Canadians showed that they had no intentions of quietly accepting defeat. The first twenty minutes saw Canada score three unanswered tries. Canada #12 scored an unconverted try off a penalty that was squibbed through the USA line and went uncovered (29-8). Canada then scored another try of a 5-meter lineout, going weak after the maul stalled to touch down (29-13).  Canada then took advantage of several penalties and fell on a misplayed up and under kick in the try zone to score and draw to within 9 points (29-20).

However, that would be as close as the Canadians would get, as USA settled down and regained control. Flyhalf Jeremy Nash knuckled a drop kick through the posts on a penalty attempt (32-20) to build momentum, and then the USA pack followed with crushing strength, driving a 5-meter lineout to score (37-20). USA continued its mauling play, but an errant pass on a 3-on-2 overload was intercepted and raced back by Canada’s wing to score to give the Canucks late hope (37-25). However, time ran out just before fullback Micah Mills slotted a penalty to put the game away (40-25).

Notes:

– Man of the Match honors went to lock Aaron Davis for is noteworthy work rate over 80 minutes and inspired furious breaks with the ball, often taking 2 or 3 defenders with him.
– USA’s scrum stole only 2 tightheads, but constantly drove the Canadians back and kept pressure on. Both teams stole two lineouts.
– In the second half, USA twice quick-tapped from 22 meters in front of the posts instead of taking points, showing lack of concentration.
– Winger Brad Burns switched to scrumhalf in the second half.
– Compared to the USA’s victory over Australia, USA committed twice as many penalties but cut in half the number of knock-ons.

1. K. Schulman 2. A. Blatt (c) (D. Glattstein) 3. R. Perle (D. Gertzakov) 4. A. Davis 5. J. Bakst (A. Kaplan) 6. B. Brown 7. A. Ellison 8. G. Dotan (J. Kaplan) 9. M. Fair (D. Ostriker) 10. J. Nash 11. B. Burns 12. A. Mayer 13. A. Lebowitz (A. Manheimer) 14. J. Drescher (J. Sturman) 15. M. Mills