U.S. beats Russia in Rugby WC

The U.S. beat Russia 13-6 in today’s only Rugby World Cup match to secure its third win in tournament history and hand the Bears a loss in their debut.Mike Petri scored a first-half try in New Plymouth, New Zealand, as the Americans restricted the Russians to two penalties in the lowest-scoring game in the World Cup in 20 years. Chris Wyles kicked a conversion and two penalties for the U.S.The Americans rebounded from a 22-10 loss to Ireland four days ago. The 19 points scored today was the least in the tournament since Australia beat England 12-6 in the 1991 final. The Eagles’ previous two wins at rugby’s four-yearly championship came against Japan at the 1987 and 2003 editions.“It’s an awesome feeling,” U.S. captain Todd Clever. “I’m proud of the boys for sticking through. We made it tough on ourselves but the crowd helped us get through that one.”The U.S. and Russia had targeted the matchup of the nations ranked 18th and 19th by the International Rugby Board as their best chance of a victory at this year’s World Cup. Two-time world champion Australia, eighth-ranked Ireland and No. 11 Italy are the other teams in Pool C.While the U.S. had a four-day turnaround between games after losing to Ireland in New Plymouth, Russia was the last of the 20 competing nations to begin its campaign.“We tried to show our best, it’s our first game,” Russian lock Alexander Voytov said in a televised interview. “It was a tough game, it’s very unlucky that we lost.”Russia, which qualified for its first World Cup by finishing second in the 2008-10 European Nations Cup, next plays Italy on Sept. 20. The U.S. has seven days off before taking on Pool C leader Australia in Wellington.Australia has five points, with Ireland and the U.S. on four, Russia one and Italy none.