Long Assembly, Recent Success Fuels USA U20 Men
Long Assembly, Recent Success Fuels USA U20 Men
Coming off a dominant showing in the U20 World Rugby Trophy qualifiers with Canada, the USA U20 men have every right to feel confident, but there's more work to be done.
The two victories over the Canadians, 43-21 and then 39-14 certainly were head-turners. And perhaps it would take a real pessimist to point out that Canada had the USA under some significant pressure early on in both games. And it might also be worth pointing out that a few of the USA tries were ... lucky? Well, as they say, you make your own luck.
And certainly if you add a dash of athleticism and some good team chemistry you can make things happen.
Qualified pic.twitter.com/UzLELf6Bmi
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) June 11, 2023
"Big picture, everything was very positive," said USA U20 Head Coach Kyle Sumsion. "We were well-resourced, we had time together. We had a really talented team that came together well. Not all 32 guys played but everyone was pulling in the same direction."
Sparked by an exciting midfield featuring Dom Besag and Aki Pulu, and with a nice smattering high IQ players, this USA team turned opportunities into points at a pretty good clip. But they might also have been guilty of pushing it a bit much.
"There is a lot we need to improve on and work on," cautioned Sumsion, who was capped by the Eagles and was an All American at BYU. "We had a really high penalty count in the first game but we did improve on it in the second game. The only issue there was five penalties in the scrum. In the second game we had 26 turnovers, and a lot were unforced errors."
They were turnovers of trying to do too much—making a break and trying for that length-of-the-field try when setting a ruck and consolidating possession was the smarter option.
"We started to play a bit arrogant," said Sumsion.
But arrogance isn't such a bad thing—to see a USA team playing to win and playing an exciting brand of rugby as well.
"We have a phenomenal coaching staff," said Sumsion. "We just saw how Canada played and we saw where the opportunities came, such as exiting our half by running instead of kicking. We know we have the ability to play an exciting, fast-paced game."
The backline was certainly that. With Scrumhalf Solomon Williams providing leadership along with squad captain Besag, they were able to match and bypass the Canadians.
"Our backline was freaky," said Sumsion.
Begag, Pulu, Sosaia Pongi, Corbin Smith, Steffan Crimp, Cormac Saint, and Hugh O'Kennedy all had their part to play. Players such as Cam McAlpine just worked really hard—McAlpine was good in the air, working in tight, and carrying through the gain line. "Those are just good guys to have," said SUmsion. Hayden McKay showed up hoping to play flanker, was told with his size he projects as a hooker, and then played his way on as a flanker most because of his physicality and work rate.
Next Up
One of the features of this U20 team this time around is that the plan was in place and as a result players could make themselves available if possible. The team also has had time together. They will again for the World Rugby Trophy. In just under two weeks the Junior Eagles assemble in Charlotte, NC to train for two weeks before going on to Kenya for the event.
Not every player that was in camp against Canada will return. Some are injured, some have other conflicts. But they knew about that already and eight players will be brought in. Some of those were players who weren't healthy for the Canada games. Chief among these is probably former SFGG lock Mikaea Wynyard, who has apparently recovered from a broken collarbone and should be ready to contribute.
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"There are players we will be inviting in," said Sumsion. "I am a firm believer you dance with the girl you brought, but all of these guys will be competing for a spot. It's exciting. No ones feathers will be ruffled, we all know at this level the best player plays."
A group of 34 will assemble June 28 through July 10 before the squad of 28 leaves for Kenya. Once at the World Rugby Trophy tournament, the Junior Eagles will be facing Uruguay, Zimbabwe, and Scotland in Pool A, while Pool B includes Hong Kong, Kenya, Samoa, and Spain.
"Zimbabwe had a great youth rugby program, Uruguay is really strong, and of course so is Scotland," said Sumsion. "The exciting thing for us is that every one of these games is a game we can win, and it is also a game we can lose. All we can do it put in a good performance and build on our previous performances.