HE is the accidental American. The Irishman who played fairly casual rugby during what was meant to be a one-year stay in the States, but now, three years later, is a vital member of the team that will take on Scotland tomorrow in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup.
Aj (it rhymes with badge) MacGinty only made his Test debut in July, having qualified on residential grounds after prolonging that original short stay to take a masters degree. As he never intended to stay in the country for very long, his improbable transformation into its rugby team’s playmaker strikes him as surreal.
“As the years went by, playing for the national team was an option. [I knew that] if I performed well I could be given an opportunity. Earlier this year I was given the opportunity with the camp and then the tour of South America.
“It was in the back of my mind. People were talking about it and asking about it,but I didn’t want to bring it up. I just wanted to take it week by week.
“It’s funny. It’s pretty ridiculous. I can’t believe it.”
MacGinty - who has had that first name, an abbreviation of Alan, since infancy - was less amused by his own display against Samoa. The Americans lost their first pool match 25-16, and while their biggest failing was indiscipline that led to a large penalty count against them, the No 10 was more annoyed by his own display.
“I was disappointed that my kicking off the tee was very poor - that’s something that I need to work on more. It’s just unacceptable to have 50 per cent - had I hit those points we would have been in the game. A try if converted would have won us the game.
“So I’m disappointed with that. It’s just a tough pill to swallow, losing, when you had your heart set on the win and believed you could win.”
Nonetheless, MacGinty believes that he and his team can build on the more positive aspects of their play against Samoa and perform a lot better against Scotland.
“We had some good hit-ups. We’ve got some really good ball-carriers in the back line, so if we can get them over the gain line we’re on the front foot. And we can execute with the pace we have out wide - we just didn’t get enough of those chances against Samoa.”
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