The High School All Americans took a day up in the Andes after beating the Chile U19s 24-17 Sunday, a worthy trip for the victorious tourists.

And also, perhaps, a little test as the HSAA squad will try to repeat their performance against the Junior Condors … but this time 1,700 feet above sea level in Santiago.

Not exactly the summit of Ojos del Salado, but still a little less oxygen for the Americans.

Looking back to Sunday’s victory, it remains an impressive feat. The team took an overnight flight arriving Thursday morning, and so had only a couple of days to acclimate.

But they did. And against Chile they won because they were enormously physical in tight and in the tackle. The HS All Americans might have found themselves with static ball, but they kept the legs churning, and with the support of the back row of Sam Peri, Vili Toluta’u and Tama Paogofie, pushed through the gain line.

Early on Chile did get a try, the result in part of missing touch on a penalty, and then some sloppy passing that gave Chile center Jan Hasenlechner a chance to slide through some tacklers. The HSAA cover defense was there – reminiscent of the desperate cover defending of the U20s last month – but Chile recycled quickly and lock Mario Mayol had little trouble.

But a few minutes later the Americans got one back. It all started with an outstanding kick to touch from flyhalf Calvin Whiting. After his team was awarded a penalty, the Utah product thumped a kick 60 meters downfield to bounce into touch well inside the Chilean 22. From there it was just a case of winning the lineout (done), running a crash for Fitou Fisiiahi (no problem), and recycling quickly before prop Titi Lamositele to pick and dive over.

Up 7-5, the All Americans had chances to score more, but couldn’t quite make it work. Chile had their chances, too, but missed a penalty and a drop goal, so the score remained 7-5 at halftime.

In the second half, Chile realized they would have a lot of trouble getting through the HSAA defense. The thunderous hits in the midfield, especially, prompted the Junior Condors to start running sideways. Territory, they realized, would have to be gained with the boot.

That’s where Anthony Salabar came in. The captain of the Dixon HS team that won the HS National Championships, Salabar told RUGBYMag.com before the game that he expected Chile to kick, and he expected, as fullback, to have to handle those kicks with precision.

Precision was usually there, but more than that was field awareness and a little daring. Salabar took the ball back with interest in numerous occasions, and his efforts helped set up two tries in the second half. The first counterattack led to a ruck and quick ball out to Lamositele. The Chuckanut Bay prop out of Washington state showed he can run as well as scrum, as he cut through the Chile line like a center, before dishing a perfect pass for wing Nu’u Aiava.

It was a brilliant piece of work, made all the more special that it was made possible by a prop. Lamositele was, in fact, brilliant all afternoon. He did some fancy work on offense, but his real work was on defense, where he pounced on ballcarriers in tight, and kept life difficult for Chile.

Then later on, another counter by Salabar. This time the Chilean defense was a little weaker, and it was the fullback who linked with Aiava, and the Hawaiian speedster did the rest.

The High School All Americans gave up 11 points in the second half on two penalties and a try. The penalties, they really didn’t need to give up, as their defense was solid, and while the organization wasn’t perfect, it was good enough. Still they got caught offside, and got a yellow card for their pains.

But after that yellow card, Chile opted not for goal, but a lineout and maul. The Americans stymied the maul and got a penalty that allowed them to clear to midfield – a body blow to the Chilean confidence they couldn’t quite shake.

Wednesday is the return engagement, and likely the HSAA team will make a couple of changes to get more players on the field. This team has shown it can handle a kicking game, and can defense with a lot of tenacity and physicality. Next would be crisper work on offense among the backs, and a snappier retreat to the offside line on defense. They do that, and take what’s given to them, they should be OK.

Scoring Summary

First Half

Second Half

Final Score

Lineups