GRR: National Teams
USA Men’s Head Coach Mike Tolkin surprised me a little with the number of changes he made for Wednesday’s game against Tonga, but the changes are necessary, as he has to see the players in action, and he has to rest some for the game after that.
TORONTO (USA Rugby) – Former Traverse Bay U19 standout Phil Thiel will captain the USA against Tonga Wednesday in the final pool match of the 2015 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.
Whether USA Head Coach Mike Tolkin chooses John Quill or Andrew Durutalo at openside flanker, it does appear that he has chosen a ball-hawk type #7 for the Eagles.
Well it was fitting, in a way, that the USA v Japan game was played in the middle of the California State Fair, with the roller coaster screaming by Bonney Field every few minutes - it was a bit of a roller coaster of a game, after all; but the USA’s victory over Japan does a few things, not least of which is that it places the Eagles in with a chance to win the Pacific Nations Cup.
The USA Men's 15s National Team held on in a thrilling and weird game to beat Japan 23-18 in the Pacific Nations Cup.