Woodman’s sixth try of the Olympics was the most important. /// Photo: World Rugby •
Team USA’s Olympic podium hopes have ended, as the Americans lost a 5-0 Cup quarterfinal to New Zealand this evening. One more day of competition remains, and the U.S. will aim for fifth place overall.
Mixed emotions linger as the U.S. moves into the Plate competition. There is pride in playing the two of the best teams in the world to an overall 17-12 scoreline. Team USA’s defensive work in and around the breakdown really stood up, but the offense is wanting. And while no squad is 100% effective in taking advantage of every opportunity gifted them, the Americans left the important ones on the field.
Two minutes before halftime, the U.S. lost an attacking lineout in New Zealand’s 10, and Kelly Brazier booted the ball downfield, trickling into touch near the 50. Despite a bobble, the Americans retained this lineout, as it worked across the field, before Bui Baravilala’s side-stepping attracted the defense’s attention. On the wing was Jill Potter, and eyes widened as Baravilala heaved the ball to the unguarded prop. The vet turned her eyes to the space a bit prematurely, knocking on, and smiled about the breakaway that should have been.
The consequence was a New Zealand scrum in the U.S.’s end, and ball moved wide with little time on the clock. Vix Folayan set up inside Portia Woodman, and Kayla McAlister’s crisp pass put the wing just outside of Folayan’s outstretched arms for the corner try, 5-0.
The majority of the second half was played in New Zealand’s end, as three consecutive penalties eventually saw Tyla Nathan-Wong yellow-carded. Nathan-Wong wasn’t the actual offender, though. When replacement Richelle Stephens grubbered through to put replacement wing Jessica Javelet into space, a late hit was put on the flyhalf. The official didn’t see the offending New Zealand player’s number, and so Nathan-Wong, who collided with Javelet in the chase, was nominated to serve the two-minute ban.
That’s two minutes in New Zealand’s end with a player advantage, but the Americans couldn’t convert on the opportunity. Play restarted with a lineout that worked to Javelet, who has been consistently exciting in the second half. She fed the ball back inside to Johnson before being dragged into the touch, but the connection was mishandled. An offsides penalty after the lineout allowed for another New Zealand kick to touch, and time just clicked off the clock. The U.S. did scoop up a knock-on and got fans out of their seats, but the attack ended with a not-releasing penalty when support was a millisecond slow in following Johnson to ground.
Mindsets changed after the final buzzer. While the Americans won’t lessen in intensity during the final day of competition, an Olympic medal is no longer an option. That said, there is still retribution to be had, as the U.S. takes on Fiji, which lost 26-7 to Great Britain in the Cup quarterfinals, in the Plate semifinals. The victor will meet the winner of France vs. Spain in the Plate championship.
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