USA (10) 32 Tries: Faraimo, Peterson, Joseph Paulo, Mark Offerdahl, Samoa, Priestly Goals: Joseph Paulo (4) Cook Islands (10) 20 Tries: Takairangi, Low. Lulia Lulia, Peyroux Goals: Rapana (2) <\/p>\n
The USA created history by beating the Cook Islands for a debut victory in their first match at the Rugby League World Cup. <\/p>\n
Former Castleford coach Terry Matterson's Tomahawks side ran in six tries at a wet and blustery Memorial Stadium in Bristol. <\/p>\n
Mark Offerdahl and Craig Priestly went over in the final eight minutes of a close encounter to seal victory. <\/p>\n
Priestly and kicker Joseph Paulo, who kicked four goals, proved key figures. <\/p>\n
The Cook Islands looked to have struck first after three minutes when Tinirau Arona went over the line, but the video referee decided he was held up. <\/p>\n
However, on the next tackle, Brad Takairangi crashed over and Jordan Rapana's kick made it 6-0. <\/p>\n
The USA got themselves into the game with forwards Clint Newton and Wigan-bound Eddy Pettybourne causing problems - and they went over twice in the space of three minutes. <\/p>\n
Priestly's 40\/20 set up Bureta Faraimo, who held off the challenge of Keith Lulia to score before a high kick from Priestly and a delightful pass from Michael Garvey allowed Matthew Peterson to go in. But Joseph Paulo missed both conversions. <\/p>\n
Paulo was successful with a penalty to edge the USA 10-6 before Drury Low went over to level the match with a try four minutes before the break which Rapana failed to convert. <\/p>\n
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USA 32-20 Cook Islands<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" USA (10) 32 Tries: Faraimo, Peterson, Joseph Paulo, Mark Offerdahl, Samoa, Priestly Goals: Joseph Paulo (4) Cook Islands (10) 20 Tries: Takairangi, Low. Lulia Lulia, Peyroux Goals: Rapana (2) The USA created history by beating the Cook Islands for a debut victory in their first match at the Rugby League World Cup Continue reading