The first international XV tournaments ever played in Brazil, the Americas Rugby Trophy, started on Saturday in São Paulo, when Brazil took on a USA Under 23 selection.
Report: Brazil RFU
The Americans opened the scoring with a exchange of penalties before Bitter put the United States ahead with a converted try, giving the USA a 10-3 at the break.
The second half drama saw a good crowd shake the stands, with the Yaras - coached by the South African AK Southey – making more of a presence in American territory. A try by Ana Carolina Santana and a conversion by Edna Santini levelled the scores before the USA scored another try with Freda Tafuna and went five points ahead.
The Yaras continued to press and tied the scores in the last minute with a dash by Pipoca for the try. Edna Santini had the chance to seal the triumph, but wasted the conversion with the clock already in the red.
“The game was very positive, as we had a lot of ball possession and good chances to win. First step towards something very cool that this group is building. Now we're going to face the Colombians in the heat of Cuiabá, where we're used to training”, highlighted Íris Coluna, captain of the Yaras.
“We were able to catch each other's time and confidence. We were patient to look for the victory, which didn't come, but we managed an exciting draw in the end. We are well-prepared in every sense to seek the title and continue to evolve as a team”, pointed out Patrícia “Pipoca”.
03/06 – 15h – Brazil 15 x 15 United States M23
Location: City of São Paulo – Nicolau Alayon Stadium
Referee: Lucas Solda | Assistants: Érika Weiss and Ana Cecília Kruschewsky
Brazil: 15 Ana Júlia Dias, 14 Lohana Valente, 13 Edna Santini, 12 Amanda Araújo, 11 Ariely Faria, 10 Raíssa Andraus, 9 Aline Mayumi, 8 Íris Coluna (c), 7 Letícia “Lele” Medeiros, 6 Natália “Nat” Momberg, 5 Sofia Marques, 4 Ana Carolina Santana, 3 Patrícia “Pipoca” Lima, 2 Tainá “Tatá” Amorim, 1 Taís Gomes. Substitutes: 16 Júlia Leni, 17 Giovana “Gi Lomu” Mamede, 18 Camila Gonçalves, 19 Bárbara Leal, 20 Dayana Dakar, 21 Grasiele Bomfim”, 22 Patrícia Bodeman, 23 Tamires Costa;
Tries: Ana Carolina Santana (1) and Patrícia “Pipoca” Lima (1)
Conversions: Edna Santini (1)
Penalties: Patrícia “Pipoca” Lima (1)
USA U23: 1 Lauren Ferridge 2 Queenette Toomalatai 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu (C) 4 Mona Lisa Tupou 5 Emerson Allen 6 Freda Tafuna 7 Tessa Hann 8 Kapoina Bailey 9 Taina Tukuafu 10 Kristin Bitter 11 Susan Adegoke 12 Tiahna Padilla 13 Emily Henrich 14 Sereana Vulaono 15 Alexandra Wantlin. Alternates: 16 Alivia Leatherman 17 Reece Woods 18 Olivia Woods 19 Abbey Jacobs 20 Anna Van Dyk 21 Samantha Brackett 22 Alyssa Cunningham 23 Autumn LoCicero;
Tries: Kristin Bitter (1) and Freda Tafuna (1)
Conversions: Kristin Bitter (1)
Penalties: Kristin Bitter (1)