TOKYO, 28 May 2004 — Canada survived a second-half fightback by the United States to win their four-nation Super Powers Cup rugby tournament match 23-20 yesterday.
United States fly-half Mike Hercus missed two penalties in the last minute to put Canada, who failed to score in the second half, into Sunday’s final against the winner of Japan and Russia.
Hercus’ opposite number Jared Barker was the pick of the Canadians, scoring a try, two conversions and three penalties to help his team to a 23-13 half-time lead.
Barker’s third and 13th-minute penalties were matched by Hercus in the 11th and 15th minutes, but Barker then added a third to put the Canadians 9-6 up.
Left-winger Tyler Wish then touched down near the posts after American full-back David Fee was sinbinned in the 20th minute, with Barker adding the conversion.
Hercus pegged back the Canadians with a converted try before Barker beat the US defense to dive over between the posts in the 30th minute.
However, Barker’s conversion proved to be Canada’s last points of the match as they were pinned down by a gritty United States performance in the second half.
Center Albert Tuipulotu gave the Americans hope with a try in the 65th minute, which was converted by Hercus.
However, Hercus’ two penalty attempts with less than a minute left, both from nearly halfway and close to the left touchline, went wide.
