The All Americans shocked New Zealand Universities Saturday at the Little Q in San Diego, defeating the tourists 60-17 in the first match of a three-game series between the two teams.

The All Americans scored early with a 90-meter kick-and-chase by wing Peter Tiberio, and then Ryan Roundy scored, set up by Loyola Marymount hooker Zach Fenoglio. The Americans continued to put in the tries, and led 33-5 at halftime.

The New Zealanders scored twice in the second half, but they were never really in it. The All Americans dominated. In a turnaround compared to many games between a USA team and teams from top rugby nations, it was the New Zealand Universities that was punished for miscues, not the Americans.

“The team made very few mistakes,” said USA Rugby age-grade director Matt Sherman. “So far this has been a very strong group. Their off-field professionalism and, obviously, on-field performance have been very good. They were organized defensively, and overall it was an impressive performance.”

Sherman said the result was mitigated by the fact the New Zealanders just arrived in the USA. They bounced from a chilly New Zealand winter to 85-degree weather in Southern California.

“We expect, as they have more time here, things will be different,” said Sherman.


All Americans 60
Tries: Tiberio 3, Roundy, Besser, Jones, Fenoglio, Grossheider, Muhn, Cooke
Convs: Eloff 5

15 Blaine Scully (University of California – Berkeley)
14 Peter Tiberio (University of Arizona)
13 Duncan Kelm (San Diego State)
12 Gareth Jones (Temple University)
11 Dustin Muhn (University of California – Berkeley)
10 JP Eloff (Davenport University)
9 Chris Saint (Penn State)
1 Mike Su’a (BYU)
2 Zach Fenoglio (Loyola Marymount)
3 James Besser (University of California – Berkeley)
4 Chris Parker (Texas A&M)
5 Nate Brakeley (Dartmouth)
6 Garrett Lambert (Life University)
7 Derek Asbun (University of California – Berkeley)
8 Ryan Roundy (BYU)

Reserves:
16 Matt Crawford (St. Mary’s College of California)
17 Andy Cooke (St. Mary’s College of California)
18 Mark Bonham (BYU)
19 Cam Dolan (Life University)
20 Pat Sullivan (Arkansas State)
21 Kyle Grossheider (Life University)
22 Benji Goff (University of Tennessee)
23 Ray Forrester (BYU)

NZ Universities 17
Tries: 3
Convs: 1

(Click on team photo for larger image)