Gold-en Eagles soar to all new heights

FORMER Worcester boss Gary Gold has led the USA to a second consecutive Americas Rugby Championship title after they thrashed Uruguay in their final fixture in Montevideo to complete the ‘Grand Slam’.

In winning 61-19, the Eagles became the first team to beat Los Teros in Test rugby for just over a year and the only team to go through an entire ARC tournament with a clean sweep of victories.

Further reward comes in the shape of a three-place rise in the world rankings to 15th, their highest position since the start of RWC 2015, and only one off their all-time best.

Unbeaten in their last 14 Tests and playing at home, Uruguay were expected to give the Eagles a stern challenge but the game was over as a contest well before half-time.

Five different Eagles players got on the scoresheet in the first half, in addition to a penalty try and four Will Magie conversions, as the USA built up a 40-0 lead.

Mike Te’o rubbed further salt into the home side’s wounds when he scored his second try within two minutes of the restart.

Uruguay finally got on the board a few minutes later when Santiago Arata crossed, and he was quickly followed over the line by Juan Manuel Cat, who cut back inside the defence to finish off a slick move.

Josh Whippy’s try and a yellow card to Uruguay winger Nicolas Freitas saw USA regain control and restore their 40-point advantage.

Gaston Mieres stepped off the bench to get Uruguay’s third try but Eagles replacement back-rower and American Football convert Psalm Wooching had the final say a few minutes from time when he scored his maiden Test try.