Second-half tries from Brian Hightower and David Niu carried the United States to a 25-14 victory over favored Fiji in an Epson Cup match today before 3950 at San Francisco's Boxer Stadium.
In a match tied into the 72nd minute, stingy American defense and three Kevin Dalzell penalty goals kept the hosts in the contest. Dalzell's fourth three-pointer, a short-range shot, put the US ahead for the third time in the game.
After a delay to attend to injured US prop Bill LeClerc, Dalzell landed a fifth penalty goal, before flyhalf Niu chipped over the defense to score a 79th-minute try.
Number eight Koli Sewabu scored to give Fiji a 7-3 lead in the first half, and center Waisake Sotutu's second-half try gave the visitors a 14-9 advantage. But Fiji couldn't score in the game's last 25 minutes.
"We knew if we stuck to our gameplan things would come into place," Dalzell said of the US comeback. "The guys have been very focused on our team's goals, and our discipline has improved and it shows."
The US, now 2-0, pulls into second place behind Epson Cup leaders Japan. 1-1 Fiji, 40-29 winners over defending champion Canada last weekend, remains in third place.
The Teams:
United States: 1 Ray Lehner, 2 Tom Billups, 3 George Sucher, 4 Luke Gross, 5 Alec Parker, 6 Dave Hodges, 7 Richard Tardits, 8 Dan Lyle (c), 9 Kevin Dalzell, 10 David Niu, 11 Vaea Anitoni, 12 Juan Grobler, 13 Tini Saulala, 14 Brian Hightower, 15 Kurt Shuman
Reserves: Philippe Farner, Bill LeClerc, Mark Scharrenberg, Jason Walker
Unused: Britt Howard, Kirk Khasigian, Chris Morrow
Fiji: 1 Niko Qoro, 2 Isaia Rasila, 3 Joeli Veitayaki, 4 Emori Katalau, 5 Simon Raiwalui (c), 6 Ilivasi Tamanivalu Tabua, 7 Setareki Tawake Naivaluwaqa, 8 Koli Sewabu, 9 Sami Rabaka Nasagavesi, 10 Opeti Turuva, 11 Fero Lasagavibau, 12 Waisake Sotutu, 13 Alfred Uluinayau, 14 Imanueli Tikomaimakogai, 15 Viliame Satala
Reserves: Billy Cavubati, Nicky Little, Dan Rouse, Ifereimi Tawake, Jope Tuikabe
Unused: Lawrence Little, Mosese Rauluni
Attendance: 3950
Referee: Shinichi Iwashita (Japan)
Points Scorers:
United States
Tries: Hightower B. 1, Niu D. 1
Pen K.: Dalzell K. 5
Fiji
Tries: Sewabu K. 1, Sotutu W.R.R. 1
Conv: Little N.T. 1, Turuva O. 1
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