GRR: Eagle Men
This weekend we finish off the early summer test matches for the USA; they reconvene for August and the Pacific Nations Cup which doubles as 2027 Rugby World Cup Qualifiers.
So, as we look back at the 36-17 defeat of Belgium and the 31-20 loss to Spain, and ahead to this weekend's clash with England, there is always the specter of the Qualifiers to come.
It is said sometimes that it's not how you start, but how you finish; sometimes, it's both.
The USA Men's National team started poorly and ended meekly in a test match that they certainly had the ability to win, falling instead to Spain 31-20 late Saturday night in Charlotte.
The Eagles face the Lions Saturday in Charlotte as the USA Men’s 15s team hosts Spain at American Legion Memorial Stadium in the Queen City.
With Sam Golla’s unfortunate injury last week there is a little shifting in the forward pack, with Vili Helu moving from flanker to lock, captain Benjamin Bonasso moving to flanker, and Jamason Fa’anana-Schulz stepping at No. 8.
The USA Men's 15s team defeated Belgium 36-17 in a game that was, at times, an indication of a superior Eagles side and, at times, showed that there is work to do.
The USA team and fans at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, NC celebrated Nate Augspurger's 50th cap, and indeed looked like they would score in the opening minutes.
Nate Augspurger gets his 50th cap Saturday in the USA’s match against Belgium, and it is, in a way, an unlikely milestone.