Samoa looms on the USA’s radar as Sunday will come all too quickly.

That game will be the opening game of the Rugby World Cup for the Eagles, and likely will be the biggest game of the World Cup. If the USA wants to get automatic qualification for 2019 (by finishing 3rd in their pool or better), or wants to make the quarterfinals, they have to beat Samoa.

"We are all pretty excited about how special this occasion is, but we need to accept that and do our job and put our all into the first game,” said USA vice captain Blaine Scully. “[Qualifying for the knockout rounds is] our main goal definitely, but we need to take it game by game and week by week. There are a lot of tough teams but it’s still very competitive. The gap between the teams has become smaller and it’s difficult to tell where everyone is going to finish. I think you will see that across the rest of the groups too."

Quite a lot has been made of the relative inexperience of the USA team, although it seems that every RWC cycle the Eagles are blooding new players. Scully said all that matters is how everyone has been working together.

Trouville has a big job filling LaValla's shoes. Ian Muir photo.

"The focus is always on the team and not the individuals and that’s how we have looked at it across the summer. I believe in this team and think we can do something really special here."

The level of experience in the Eagles took a hit when Todd Clever was left off the squad, and then Scott LaValla broke his elbow. While players have been quiet on the Clever situation, Matt Trouville, who replaced LaValla, spoke about the late callup.

"The emotions when I got the call where unbelievable, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for some people and when I get the opportunity to get out there I’m going take it with both hands,” said the Seattle Saracen loose forward. "I can’t replace the man but all I can do is wear the jersey with the same pride and honor that he has for many years. I’m ready to take this opportunity and I’m super excited to be here. Losing someone like Scott is a big blow. His character on and off the pitch is irreplaceable and he’s been invaluable to me as a mentor. I hope I can take everything he has taught me and do him proud by doing a good job at this World Cup."