U.S. qualifies for Cup

The United States qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup as the top North American side for the first time after thrashing Canada by a record 52-16 on Saturday in San Diego. Canada had won 15 out of 20 qualifiers between the neighbors, but hadn’t beaten the Eagles in four years. The first leg in Hamilton was drawn 2828 last weekend, and the second leg was close at the University of San Diego until Canada lost its composure while it had momentum. Because of a no-arms tackle ruling against Canada, it lost a scrum put-in near halfway and had to defend a five-meter lineout instead. The Eagles drove it and replacement Joe Taufete scored from the rolling maul. Behind by 10 points, Canada No. 8 Tyler Ardron was then sin-binned for collapsing a maul, and while he was off the field, the U.S. rushed in three tries; a second lineout drive score for Taufete’e, an 80-meter break finished by scrumhalf Nate Augspurger, and another rolling maul score for replacement prop Dino Waldren. AJ MacGinty converted all three, and six of their eight tries as the Eagles notched their highest score and biggest margin against Canada. It was a fitting send off for retiring captain Todd Clever, who was playing his record-extending 76th cap since 2003, and Coach John Mitchell, who was leaving to coach South Africa Super Rugby side the Bulls. The Americans’ reward was a place in World Cup Pool C in Japan with England, France, Argentina, and a yet-to-be-determined Oceania side.