GRR: Rugby World Cup
Settled in at Leeds, the USA Men’s National Team has had little time for reflection on Sunday’s loss to Samoa, what with Sunday bringing another stern test, Scotland.
The team traveled from Portsmouth to Leeds on Monday and spent Tuesday reviewing film and training. The coaches provided a preview of Scotland on Wednesday, and then Thursday they rested.
The USA team trained during Scotland’s 45-10 victory over Japan on Wednesday, so the players didn’t get to watch a game between two of the teams they are still to play.
In fact, the Eagles face Scotland on the 27th, and maybe the coaches figured they wanted the players to concentrate on their own performance, not that of the opposition.
Chris Baumann’s try for the USA against Samoa was probably the first time that many rugby fans have heard his name.
The University of Wyoming, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Life, Tempe Santa Monica, and NYAC player has certainly been all over the place, working and playing and trying to make it.
This year, he finally got his first cap, and Sunday his first USA try.
The USA may have lost to Samoa, but the Eagles produced the try of the day and one of the better tries of the opening games in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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The Japanese national team has come in for plenty of much-deserved praise for their decision to go for the win against South Africa in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup.