Savvy Captain Bryce Campbell Strips England of Try

While the AGs are without their captain and talisman Bryce Campbell for a crucial clash against LA Giltinis this coming Saturday, his leadership as captain of the national team has inspired his squad a sea away.

While the Eagles fell to heavily-favored England squad in AG Captain Bryce Campbell’s first match captaining the United States National Team, a valiant second-half effort from the Americans produced a promising scoreline. Campbell’s demonstration of captaincy brilliance helped manage that scoreline; stripping England of a try and overturning possession to the United States.

Eagles fullback Mike Te’o gathered the ball off a funny bounce and took an illegal hit from England’s Joe Cokanasiga. The referee didn’t notice Te’o was still in the air when Cokanasiga landed the tackle, but captain Bryce Campbell did, however.

England was then allowed to take the penalty quickly and immediately crossed over the line for a try. Campbell promptly found referee Andrew Brace and made his case for the earlier penalty.

Campbell asks the referee, “Even off a bounce you can’t take a man in the air, can you?”

“His feet were on the ground,” responds referee Brace.

“Sir, his feet were off the ground,” adds Campbell.

“If there is anything obvious, the TMO referee will come in,” replies referee Brace.

The referee then slowed England’s Marcus Smith from taking the conversion which, if allowed to convert, would have sealed any review from overturning the try.

TMO referee Ben Whitehouse had a look a the replay review and sided with Bryce Campbell confirming the tackle had taken place in the air. Referee Brace correctly reversed the try and gave the Eagles the penalty where the tackle had occurred. Bryce Campbell’s quick thinking and respectful line of questioning stripped England of an almost certain seven points.

While the Eagles went on to lose the match 43-29, it was a final score USA Rugby fans can be proud of. A score AG and USA captain Bryce Campbell’s clever captaincy played a heavy hand in earning.

Expect more stellar leadership from Campbell when the Eagles face off against Ireland on Saturday, July 10th on just a six-day turnaround.

You can watch the match on FloRugby!