There was another Irish outhalf playing a starring role in a Test match win this weekend.
Johnny Sexton returned to Ireland’s starting XV to help them to a 26-21 victory over Australia. 13 hours later, fellow Dubliner AJ MacGinty was the star man in his team’s stunning win over Scotland.
The US Eagles beat Scotland 31-30 to record their first win over a ‘Tier One’ nation in 94 years.
The triumph was all the more remarkable when you consider that the Scots led 19-6 at one stage. It was all looking good for Gregor Townsend’s men until hooker Joe Taufete’e and MacGinty got to work.
Taufete’e powered and bounced and spun his way to two tries and MacGinty then teed up flanker Hanco Germishuys after this brilliant response to a punt from Scotland captain Stuart Hogg:
Credit: Scottish RugbyAs if that was not enough, MacGinty then kicked a sideline conversion to make it 30-24 going into the final quarter. The former Connacht outhalf’s overall match figures were remakable.
- 12 points kicked
- 19 carries for 84 metres gained
- 4 clean breaks
- 8 defenders beaten
- 8 tackles made (four missed)
- 1 try assist
The hosts were well set for a massive win but there was late, late drama when Dougie Fife got over for a try in the 82nd minute.
That left Blair Kinghorn with a conversion attempt to snatch it for the scots but his kick went right and wide. The USA won 30-29 and, with it, picked up two world rankings points. They remain 15th while Scotland stay 7th.
