This was a thoroughly entertaining affair played in the newly refurbished and resplendent Thomond Park. The IRFU has spent £3 million in developing both the playing surface and its environs and 11,000 enjoyed the luxury of watching the first international match at the Limerick venue for 101 years.
Brilliant sunshine provided an appropriate backdrop to a match that was brimful of invention, flair and excellent running rugby, not all of which came from the Australians. To their credit, the US team produced arguably their best performance of the World Cup demonstrating a refreshing willingness to put the ball through the hands. Galvanised by the work ethic of their pack who demonstrated a voracious appetite for hard graft, they might have enjoyed a better reward than just a single try from centre Juan Grobler. Still the Americans competed wholeheartedly, none more so than flanker Fifita Mo'unga and number eight Rob Lumkong, outstanding individuals in a fine performance from the pack.
Australia's shadow XV, with one or two guests from the Test side, floundered a little for the second 20 minutes of the first half, but for the other 60 conjured some wonderful tries, through slick handling and intelligent angles of running. Right wing Scott Staniforth made a fine debut and deserved his brace of tries. Steve Larkham in particular prised holes, gliding through the gaps and off-loading for others to profit. Up front the scrum dominated their opponents and in number eight Jim Williams, the Aussies boasted a superb athlete, whose angles of running, football intelligence and support play may have propelled him closer to the Test XV.
The Australians led 22-10 at the interval, the highlights of the half from an Australian perspective being tries by Staniforth and Foley. But the biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for Grobler when he touched down on 37 minutes. The second half was somewhat more predictable but no less enjoyable as the Australians offered a lesson to those who aspire to creative rugby.
SCORERS: Australia - Tries: Burke, Staniforth (2), Whitaker, Latham, Strauss, Foley, Larkham; pens: Burke; cons: Burke (5), Roff. US - Tries: Grobler; pens: Dalzell (3); Cons: Dalzell; drop goal: Niu.
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; S Staniforth, J Little (capt), N Grey, M Burke; S Larkham, C Whitaker; D Crowley, M Foley, R Moore; T Bowman, M Connors; O Finegan, T Strauss, J Williams. Replacements: R Kafer for Latham (50 mins); M Cockbain for Bowman (54 mins); D Giffin for Williams (65 mins); J Roff for Burke (75 mins). Yellow card: R Moore (Australia).
UNITED STATES: K Shuman; V Anitoni, J Grobler, M Scharrenberg, B Hightower; D Niu, K Dalzell (capt); J Clayton, T Billups, G Sucher; L Gross, A Parker; D Hodges, R Lumkong, F Mo'unga. Replacements: A Saulala for Grobler (57 mins); M L'Huillier for Clayton (70 mins); S Paga for Hodges (70 mins); K Khasigian for Billups (70 mins); T Takau for Scharrenberg (70 mins); J Coulson for Dalzell (80 mins); E Reed for Gross (80 mins).
Referee: A Watson (South Africa).
Nevertheless, Ward has to chart unfamiliar terrain. Occasional games on the blind side or at number eight with Ballynahinch in the less rarified environs of Division Two of the AIL hardly constitutes ideal preparation for tonight. Ward may well alternate with O'Cuinneagain, though the latter could probably have done with a rest.
