The gallant USA were no match for the might of the British Lions who tore apart their opponents with a display of pace, power and precision yesterday.

The Lions, featuring the likes of JPR Williams and Wade Dooley, crushed their opponents 48-0 to earn a World Rugby Classic semi-final clash with South Africa on Thursday.

They were up 5-0 within the first three minutes, Roland Phillips going over to open the scoring.

Derek McAleese missed the conversion but he made amends minutes later following Roger Bidgood's try on the left wing.

Simon Foale made it 17-0 after the ball ran free and bounced favourably to allow him to advance over the line and it was 19-0 with McAleese's conversion.

Then in the 24th minute Peter Williams kicked for Foale to chase and he made no mistake in grounding the ball for the score.

The best opportunity of the first half for the USA came just before the interval, Inoke Yalmaiwai using his speed to collect a kick through the centre.

However, the Lions defence proved as strong as their attack and the move came to a grinding halt halfway inside their half.

Two more tries came within moments of the second period beginning and the Lions were running amok, the score having reached 38-0.

It was 43-0 when Bidgood's pace took him beyond the helpless defenders and in at the corner.

The USA had a second chance to get a score on the board in the 51st minute but Yalmaiwai was just unable to ground the ball after it had been launched skyward towards the Lions' tryline.

With the clock ticking down Bidgood brought an end to the scoring when he ran the length of the American half to go in at the left hand corner.

Speaking afterwards Welsh legend Williams said he felt the Americans had not been at their best.

"I'm not sure they were as good as two years ago when we played them last,'' he said. "But we had the ideal start. We scored 10 points in the first five minutes and it's a lot easier then -- you are in charge of the game. "They always play physical and the first game is always difficult so I think we'd have settled for that score before the start.'' This is the sixth time in three decades that the flanker, now 51, has played in the tournament.

Asked what makes him keep coming back he said: "My wife loves the golf so I have to keep playing.'' Disappointed USA number eight Frank Kennedy said his side had failed to follow the pre-match gameplan.

"We tried to stress before the game ball retention and second, third and fourth phase ball and we just couldn't do it,'' he said.

"We knocked on 25 balls and every time we took it in we couldn't get quick enough ball to get it out and they just did a great job.'' Kennedy said he had thought his side had the capability to more than hold their own against the Lions but on the day it wasn't to be.

"I came into the game very positive. I thought we had a legitimate shot at winning the game. But you can't knock the ball on that many times and lose possession,'' he said.

Classic play takes a break today with the players taking part in a golf tournament at Riddell's Bay.