Scotland vs USA

rhugh89

rhugh89

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Thread for this Group C/D clash on Friday 8th November

6:30am (EDT)
5:30am (AEST)

Live on 7mate


Scotland vs USA - 2013 World Cup @ Salford City Stadium, Salford


Head to Head

Played - 1
Scotland - 1
USA - 0


In England

Played - 1
Scotland - 1
USA - 0


World Cup Matches

Played - 0
Scotland - 0
USA - 0


Scotland's Record in the World Cup

Played - 8
Won - 2
Drawn - 1
Lost - 5


Scotland's Overall Test Record

Played - 36
Won - 14
Drawn - 1
Lost - 21


USA's Record in the World Cup

Played - 2
Won - 2
Lost - 0


USA's Overall Test Record

Played - 16
Won - 9
Drawn - 1
Lost - 6


2013 WORLD CUP STATS


Metres Gained

Scotland - 1,974m (13th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 2,273m (10th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tries

Scotland - 9 (Equal 7th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 11 (6th in the 2013 RLWC)


Line Breaks

Scotland - 7 (Equal 8th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 9 (Equal 6th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tackle Breaks

Scotland - 51 (9th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 54 (8th in the 2013 RLWC)


Tackles

Scotland - 719 (MOST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
USA - 555 (11th in the 2013 RLWC)


Missed Tackles

Scotland - 60 (7th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 73 (3rd in the 2013 RLWC)


Errors

Scotland - 18 (Equal 12th in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 21 (Equal 7th in the 2013 RLWC)


40/20's

Scotland - 1 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
USA - 1 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Yellow Cards

Scotland - 1 (EQUAL WORST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
USA - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Red Cards

Scotland - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)
USA - 0 (EQUAL BEST IN THE 2013 RLWC)


Penalties Recieved

Scotland - 18 (Equal 3rd in the 2013 RLWC)
USA - 15 (Equal 9th in the 2013 RLWC)


Facts and Figures


* These 2 teams have only played each other once, It was a 38-16 win to Scotland


* Scotland are Ranked Number 11 in the RLIF Rankings


* USA are Ranked Number 12 in the RLIF Rankings




* 2013 World Cup Stats courtesy of www.rlwc2013.com

* Historical Stats are my own work

* As with my stats in Knights games through out the year the Errors and Missed Tackles Stats are in reversed order, The higher your ranking the worse it is e.g USA are ranked 3rd in Missed Tackles, This means they have the second highest amount of Missed Tackles out of the 14 teams competing at the 2013 RLWC
 
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USA rethink plans as Tonga face Cooks

AAP
2:48am Tue 05th November, 2013

World Cup giant-killers the United States are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the final match of second-round group fixtures in Leigh.

The Tomahawks, given little hope of emerging from their pool, were booked on a flight out of Heathrow this Saturday but organisers are now hurriedly re-thinking those plans.

Instead of packing their bags, Terry Matterson's team of "no-hopers" will begin preparing for the unthinkable - a quarter-final with Australia - if Cook Islands fail to get the points in their cross-group match against Tonga on Tuesday.

Even if the Cook Islanders win, the American team will still top their group and go through to the last eight if they beat Scotland, another of the tournament surprise packets, in what is shaping up to be the most important match so far at Salford on Thursday.

The Tomahawks, who qualified for the 14th World Cup at the third attempt, have already claimed the scalps of Cook Islands and co-hosts Wales to defy all expectations and odds of 1000-1 to win the title.

"We're booked on a flight for November 9 so we were due to leave before the pool stages were officially decided," USA spokesman Chris Garry said.

While the USA look certain to extend their stay, the losers at Leigh will be eliminated after both lost their opening matches.

Tonga went into the tournament with high hopes of setting up a quarter-final showdown with New Zealand, but their shock defeat by Scotland means they need to win both their last two group games and are relying on other results to keep them alive.

"There's no excuses. We weren't good enough," Tonga captain Brent Kite said of the defeat in Workington.

"But we'll be wanting to put that right against the Cook Islands at Leigh Sports Village on Tuesday."

Cook Islands coach David Fairleigh, the former St Helens forward, has rung the changes to the side that lost to the Tomahawks in Bristol last Wednesday.

Toulouse stand-off Jonathan Ford comes into the side to partner former Wakefield half-back Isaac John, with Brad Takairangi switching to centre in place of Wigan's Anthony Gelling.

Sydney Roosters' Chris Taripo takes over from Lulia Lulia on the wing and Eko Malu, of New Zealand Warriors, gets his chance on the bench.

The side will be led by Catalan Dragons second rower Zeb Taia.

http://www.nrl.com/usa-rethink-plans-as-tonga-face-cooks/tabid/10874/newsid/75261/default.aspx
 
United States rugby league World Cup coach Terry Matterson living American dream



THREE weeks ago, Brisbane Broncos premiership winner Terry Matterson was about to celebrate his son's birthday on Magnetic Island when one of sport's great fairy tales began.

Matterson's holiday was interrupted by a phone call with the bizarre news that the USA Tomahawks wanted him to coach their maiden Rugby League World Cup campaign.

Since accepting the challenge, Matterson and the Tomahawks have registered 60-plus hours of travel across three continents, engineered three major upsets and booked a Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Australia.

RLWC officials thought so little of USA's chances they booked them a flight out of England one day before their pool would be officially decided, when the Cook Islands play Wales this Sunday.

USA was 90 to one to make the quarter-finals and now Matterson finds himself in the midst of a history-making achievement.

When he first said "Yes" to Tomahawks' general manager Steven Johnson he knew just three of the 24-man playing squad.His first day as coach was spent Googling that list to ascertain the talent level at his disposal.

Pulled from all corners of the globe, the Tomahawks have a 6'4" youth worker, a Hawaiian fire dancer, the CEO of a rugby league club in New York, a gas-fitter, a rail-road worker and several personal trainers.

This unheralded group has become the story of the RLWC.

"I was on my way over to Magnetic Island with my son for his birthday and my wife said I had an email that Brian Smith pulled out as coach and they wanted to offer me the opportunity," Matterson said.

"I had been an assistant coach for two years and thought this would be a great chance to be a head coach again and develop myself.

"Eight days later I was on a plane. I had not spoken to any of the players. All I had was a text from Clint Newton and a phone call from Matt Petersen."I had nothing organised. Just thought that I would get over there, see what we had and go from there."

The Tomahawks' have since gained press in the football-dominated back pages of The Sun and The Times in England and the New York Times.Their Cinderella story even prompted international children's music sensation The Wiggles to film a video tribute to the Tomahawks.

The obstacles Matterson's men have had to overcome are incredible.They play three pool games in nine days, the toughest draw in the competition, with their game against Scotland tomorrow morning (Friday morning AEDT) their last round-robin match.

Their victory over France in a pre-tournament friendly occurred on the back of four plane flights in two days and one training session.

They beat Wales, in Wales, 24-16 last Sunday just four days after they upset the Cook Islands in Bristol.

Not one player or staff member is being paid.

There is not even an allowance.

"As far as expectations, there weren't any," Matterson said."I just wanted to coach and teach young men who wanted to learn about rugby league.

"The experienced NRL players we have in Matt Petersen, Clint Newton, Eddy Pettybourne and captain Joseph Paulo are brilliant in how they inspire their team mates."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...g-american-dream/story-fni3fbgz-1226754520640
 
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Matterson won't go easy on Scotland

AAP
3:11am Thu 07th November, 2013

Terry Matterson was once selected to play for Scotland, but he will be doing his best to knock them out of the World Cup on Thursday night.

The former Castleford coach is in charge of the USA Tomahawks who have already qualified for the quarter-finals after winning both their group matches so far.

Their prize is a last-eight clash with tournament favourites Australia in Wrexham on November 16, but Matterson's more immediate concern is their final group C fixture with Steve McCormack's Scotland at Salford.

The Bravehearts, who have lived up their nickname by beating Tonga and holding Italy to a draw so far, need a win at the AJ Bell Stadium to keep alive their hopes of a quarter-final against holders New Zealand.

Matterson insists there will be no room for sentiment, despite having a soft spot for Scotland.

"I got picked to play for Scotland in 1998 when I was with London Broncos," said the North Queensland assistant coach as he wrapped up the Tomahawks' training session at Salford on Wednesday.

"But I tore my calf the weekend before. I was gutted. I actually went up there with (manager) George Fairbairn and spent a night in camp and then I left.

"My grandfather fought in the war for Scotland. That's the reason I got a work visa, through my ancestry heritage."

The pressure is off the Tomahawks after Cook Islands' 22-16 defeat by Tonga on Tuesday night ensured they will top the group, but Matterson insists it will not change the mindset of his players.

"Our focus is on the Scotland game, we're not getting ahead of ourselves," he said.

"There is no talk about what's happening after that."

http://www.nrl.com/matterson-wont-go-easy-on-scotland/tabid/10874/newsid/75294/default.aspx


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Scotland hero set for career boost

NRL.com
6:00am Thu 07th November, 2013

Scotland's two-try hero Ben Hellewell hopes his international performances will show his new club coach that he is worth a place in the Featherstone Rovers team.

Centre Hellewell touched down twice in the Bravehearts' exhilarating 30-all draw with Italy on Sunday and looked comfortable playing against NRL stars, despite the fact he could not break into the Championship team for much of last season, ending up on loan at Barrow.

"I came into this tournament hoping to prove myself," said the 21-year-old speedster who will be managed by his former coach at Warrington Academy, John Bastian, next year.

"I want to use it as a stepping stone. It was hard to get into the Featherstone team last year as they were a good side but it's making me feel better that I can shine against better players.

"Hopefully I can take that confidence and use it to get into the Featherstone team next season."

Hellewell's brace came in a terrific second half during which both teams swapped tries, ending with five apiece.

The first, on 50 minutes, saw former New South Wales State of Origin star Peter Wallace show his class with a cut-out pass to winger Brett Carter, who calmly and fed Hellewell inside him to score.

His second drew Scotland level after they had trailed for the first time in the game, finishing a terrific team move from left to right after Danny Brough had created a break with a stunning chip-and-chase.

"I just finished them off – they were team tries," said a humble Hellewell who was making his fifth appearance for Scotland.

"The last try, to level the game on the last tackle, was desperation really but it went through six pairs of hands, we got it down the line and I saw a space and just touched it down."

Hellewell and his team-mates face a do-or-die clash with the USA on Thursday.

They had a recovery session in the pool straight after the game and another on Monday before a video review of the Italy game.

Coach Steve McCormack opted to give his team time to recover rather than training until they got to Manchester.

"It's a major game for us and hopefully we'll get the win and hope the other games go our way," said Bradford-born Hellewell who qualifies for Scotland via a grandfather from Aberdeen.

"It'll be a strange situation having to wait until Sunday to know if we're through. That will be tense. We'll have fingers crossed, everything crossed!"

http://www.nrl.com/scotland-hero-set-for-career-boost/tabid/10874/newsid/75267/default.aspx
 
Scotland hopes history repeats against USA

NRL.com
8:00am Thu 07th November, 2013

Scotland go into their win-or-bust clash with the United States hoping for a repeat of their only previous meeting with the Americans: a 38-16 victory. That would put them in the driving seat in Group C and leave Italy needing to beat Tonga and catch up on points difference.

Currently Italy and Scotland are level on three points from two games, with Italy ahead by 14 points in the for and against column.

Eighteen years ago at the Emerging Nations World Cup, just two days after beating Russia, Scotland made the journey down the M1 to a soccer ground in rugby union territory - Northampton’s Sixfields - for a double-header, with Morocco v Moldova following the Scotland-US match.

Despite having experienced top class pros in duel-code Lion Alan Tait, Darrall Shelford, Martin Ketteridge, Great Britain prop Hugh Waddell and Charlie McAlister - father of current union star Luke - Scotland struggled to get going against a greenhorn US side.

The Patriots contained mainly converted union players, like healthcare manager Britton Coffman of Houston Athletic; Dallas’s Laau Afuhaamango, and centre Greg Stelluti, playing only his second game of rugby league.

It was not until US Eagles rugby union winger Rory Lewis put the US ahead that Scotland - who included future St Helens coach Mike Rush - started to gel.

Graeme Thompson, who went on to be England RL manager at the 2008 World Cup, scored a fine solo, and McAlister set up tries for Castleford stalwart Ketteridge and Mark Smith.

Then Shelford took control scoring a hat-trick of tries, although David Niu, the father-figure of US rugby league, pulled two tries back for the Americans.

http://www.nrl.com/scotland-hopes-history-repeats-against-usa/tabid/10874/newsid/75303/default.aspx


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Scotland v USA preview

By Matt Encarnation
NRL.com
10:30am Thu 07th November, 2013

Scotland v USA

Salford City Stadium, Salford

Thursday 8pm (UK time)
Friday 7am (AEDT); 6am (AEST)

Honestly, who would've thunk it? Which one of you would've imagined that the United State of America, the global economic power with the relative rugby league strength of an Australian gridiron team, are appearing in a World Cup dead rubber? And they're not even dead!

The Tomahawks, who arrived in the United Kingdom unarmed but now boast the army of a children's band, have become the feel-good story of the World Cup.

They've become the 2011 version of the Warriors – everyone's second team.

Coach Terry Matterson, who only got the job weeks before tournament kick-off, has done a remarkable job getting a bunch of fringe NRL players and fringe NFL players to play well above the level anyone thought they would.

Case in point: stalwart Clint Newton, who plays more of a mentorship role than a hole-running one at NRL level these days, turned back the clock and bagged himself a double against the Welsh.

Granted the defence wasn't quite Craig Bellamy standard, but who doesn't love the son of an American golfing great making a name for himself – and for rugby league – in a land that plays football with helmets?

Similarly, Scotland have well exceeded pre-World Cup expectations of themselves. Heck, if it wasn't for these underdog Yanks, then there would certainly be some boy band calling on Super League Man of Steel Danny Brough to be heralded the King of Glasgow.

Sure, we know they've got a handful of quality NRL players such as Darren Lockyer's former halves partner Peter Wallace, the indestructible Luke Douglas and Cowboy Kane Linnett, and we know of the handful of Super League stars that make this team more second-tier than third.

But their stirring victory over Tonga and entertaining display against the Azzurri will not only see the co-hosts rise up the RLIF rankings but also enjoy some well-earned respect, particularly amongst their neighbouring countries.

Unlike the Americans though, the Bravehearts won't have the advantage of being able to rest players – again, who'd have thunk it? – because although they're equal first in Group C with Italy, they trail the Italians on for-and-against.

Unfortunately for Steve McCormack and his men, fate is out of their hands.

Watch Out Scotland

Parramatta have signed Corey Norman to be their five-eighth in 2014, but they could do worse than persist with utility Joseph Paulo.

Named captain in their first game where he scored a try before relinquishing the job to Newton, Paulo broke out with a two try-assist, four line break-assist Man of the Match performance against the Welsh. There's a reason why The Wiggles want his face on Mount Rushmore, and it's got nothing to do with politics.

Watch Out USA

Keep an eye on the kid at fullback, Matthew Russell. The 20-year-old turned a few heads Down Under, impressing in a Titans Holden Cup team that didn't win much.

His stat line over his two World Cup games so far explain it all: 232 metres, 17 tackle breaks, three offloads, three tries, and three line breaks.

Where It Will Be Won

If the USA has any more gas left in their tank then the key for them will be channel their inner Lawrence Taylor and take it to the Bravehearts, because someone needs to.

Scotland's completion rate against Tonga? 83 per cent. Against Italy? A ridiculous 95 per cent.

Unless the Tomahawks go all Sam Burgess on Friday morning (AEDT), then the Scots will just strangle the life out of them.

Televised

7mate - Live from 6:30am (NSW); 5:30am (Qld)

The Way We See It

It's hard not to jump on a Chrysler bandwagon, but given the hype around USA's gargantuan quarter-final against Australia next week, you get the feeling Scotland have a lot more to play for. Scotland by seven.

http://www.nrl.com/scotland-v-usa-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/75302/default.aspx
 
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Scotland I reckon will win, but would be good to see a USA win.

Scotland- 24
USA- 12

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USA are in! 4-0 after 8 minutes KTC.

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The fullback Kristian Fried scored there. USA have been sloppy so they are lucky to get that try.
 
Try to USA! 8-0 after 23 minutes KTC.

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The halfback for USA has a really good kicking game. Probably one of the reasons USA have gone so good this tournament.

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If that's a try that was really soft defence from USA!

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No try for Scotland! 50-50 call there.

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Scotland have gotten some harsh calls against them. They would be filthy.
 
USA lucky to be leading imo...

Scotland have been the better team for most of the half...

Refereeing questionable to say the least...
 
8-0 to USA halftime

Scotland have been the better team and the refereeing has gone USA's way on more than one occasion...

None the less a good first half of footy, shame I can't see the rest until this arvo.
 
10-8 to Scotland now..Game on here !!!

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Blown try by Matt Petersen there, Dropped the ball cold over the line..

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Penalty to Scotland who are now on the attack only 5m out...

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Scotland score through Luke Douglas...

Scotland now lead 16-8 with 16 minutes left...

USA look out on their feet...
 
The game got out of hand towards the end...Lot's of ill discipline from both teams..

SCOTLAND - 22
USA - 8

FULL TIME
 
By the clock: Scotland beat USA

By Matt Encarnation
NRL.com
9:07am Fri 08th November, 2013

35102_20_1.jpg

Scotland beat the United States to finish the World Cup group stage with two wins and a draw.



All the big moments from Scotland's 22-8 win over the United States at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
8th minute: Joseph Paulo double pumps and hits Kristian Freed who crashes over. The video ref gets called into play, and it seems the ex-Connecticut Wildcat manages to brush the grass with the ball. Paulo misses the conversion, but the Tomahawks lead 4-0.

12th minute: How was that not a try? Matthew Russell cuts through the Tomahawks line and puts Ben Hellewell in the clear but the Tomahawks scramble to hold him up over the line.

13th minute: One play later and they're again denied! This time Danny Brough's pass to left winger Alex Hurst is ruled forward, just as he was about to put it down.

22nd minute: Dale Ferguson is put on report for a crusher tackle that has hurt Tui Samoa.

23rd minute: Possible try to USA centre Taylor Welch who chases down a Craig Priestly grubber in the right corner. The video ref likes the grounding and rules
try. Paulo misses again, 8-0 now.

26th minute: USA showing great desperation in defence, this time holding Hurst up over the line to deny yet another try.

28th minute: Finally, the Bravehearts are over! Or are they? Danny Brough wanders back in-field and finds a hole, but the referee takes it off them for an obstruction. Penalty USA and Steve McCormack gives a shake of the head.

34th minute: The football gods really aren't with the Hurst tonight, as he is held up over the line again! The ball goes through about a dozen pair of hands until Scott finally straightens up the play, but the defence is again up to task.

51st minute: And there you have it, first points up on the board for Scotland. A double pump from Brough on the left edge – identical to Paulo's in the first half – puts tall timber Brett Phillips over. Brough hits the post and misses. The lead is reduced to 8-4 and it's game on.

54th minute: And the Scots go back-to-back! Matthew Russell wrong-foots the USA defence and is too quick for the forwards covering on the inside. It goes to video ref but he likes what he sees and awards a try. Brough converts the first try of the night and all of a sudden Scotland lead 10-8.

58th minute: You won't believe this, but Hurst dives over in the corner from dummy half and scores! Oh no. The video ref rules he lost it over the line. Poor bloke, and poor Steve McCormack!

61st minute: Great tackle from Alex Hurst forces Matt Petersen to drop the ball just as he was about to put the ball over the line.

63rd minute: And the Scottish run continues. Luke Douglas charges over from short range and the Tongans are now holding their breath. Brough converts and it's almost out of reach now for USA, 16-8.

70th minute: Our running commentary on Hurst continues. Brough chips towards his wing, but his opposite in Bureta Faraimo punches it out. That's four tries he was supposed to have against his name.

75th minute: Hurst in the thick of it again. Scotland get a penalty for Faraimo being all over him in the tackle. A bit of push and shoving ensues, and Faraimo could find himself in trouble for the aftermath.

79th minute: Fiery end to the game here. Joel Luani put on report for a lifting tackle on Peter Wallace.

79th minute: Oh the irony. Hurst finally gets his four-pointer, getting a beautiful long ball from Brough to put the ball down in the corner. Brough adds the touches from the sideline and Scotland keep their quarter-final dreams alive 22-8.




http://www.nrl.com/by-the-clock-scotland-beat-usa/tabid/10874/newsid/75311/default.aspx

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Scotland beat USA 22-8 in RLWC

By Ian Laybourn
AAP
10:34am Fri 08th November, 2013

Scotland dedicated their latest Rugby League World Cup victory to veteran hooker Ben Fisher after his career was brought to a shattering halt before kick-off in Thursday night's pool match against the USA.

Fisher, who had planned to retire at the end of the tournament, tore a calf muscle in the warm-up at Salford and, after being helped from the field in tears, was forced to watch on crutches from the sidelines as the Bravehearts came from 8-0 down to win 22-8.

"We knew it was Ben's last game and we're devastated for him," Scotland coach Steve McCormack said of Australian Fisher, who has been playing in the UK Super League since 2004 after starting out with the North Sydney Bears.

"We didn't need a lot of inspiration but, if we needed that bit extra, certainly Ben Fisher was mentioned at halftime."

Scotland trailed 8-0 at halftime after the Tomahawks scored tries through Kristian Freed and Taylor Welch but went on to dominate the match and had five tries disallowed.

"We were pretty desperate in the first half without needing to be," McCormack said.

Brett Phillips, man of the match Matthew Russell, Alex Hurst and Luke Douglas all scored second-half tries and skipper Danny Brough kicked three goals as Scotland finished their pool matches unbeaten.

It means that Tonga became the third team to be eliminated from the World Cup but the Scots will now be needing a favour from them when they play Italy in the final Group C match at Halifax on Sunday.

The Scots are currently two points in front of Italy, who have a superior points difference and will secure a quarter-final against New Zealand at Headingley next Friday if they beat the Tongans.

"We're going to watch it as a team in the hotel and we'll either go to Headingley from there or we'll get back to work," McCormack added.

The Tomahawks, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals after gaining wins over Cook Islands and Wales, looked a tired side in the second half as the effects of a gruelling schedule of three games in nine days began to take its toll.

USA captain and Parramatta utility Joseph Paulo spoke of his side's frustration as they battled against the penalty count of referee Thierry Alibert.

"We tried to hang in there to the end but we couldn't change anything," he said.

"The ref was going to have his way."

http://www.nrl.com/scotland-beat-usa-22-8-in-rlwc/tabid/10874/newsid/75312/default.aspx
 
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