GRR: Eagle Men
USA prop Eric Fry spoke with Goff Rugby Report Editor after the Eagles' dramatic 15-12 victory over Canada.
The USA team, said Fry, just needed to keep to the plan, where they showed good continuity with the ball, and tested the Canadian defense. And while that work didn't produce tries, it did produce scoring opportunities, and AJ MacGinty made the penalties pay.
Some notes and thoughts on Monday's game against Canada.
This was the first time that the Eagles had won a game without scoring a try since July 4 2009, when they beat Canada in Charleston 12-6. Those are the only two times the USA has won a game without scoring a try.
The USA defeated Canada 15-13 in a wild finish at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, BC Monday to take 5th in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The Eagles did not score a try, and while the Eagles led most of the game, they were behind from the 71st minute until just before the end.
USA Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named his lineup to face Canada Monday in the final day of competition in the Pacific Nations Cup.
After losing to Samoa, beating Japan, and losing to Tonga, the USA was ranked #5 among the six teams and will play off with 0-3 Canada for 5th.
The USA Men’s National Team has scored four tries in three games, getting at least one try in each match, but if you’re being pessimistic, you might want to point out that every single try was a forwards try.
The first was a pick-and-go from Titi Lamositele. The next two were mauls scored by Andrew Durutalo, and the last one was a pick-and-go from Durutalo.