The USA Eagles have backed up a stellar performance against the Maori All Blacks last weekend by defeating a monstrous Georgian team in their first victory of this calendar year. When you consider Georgia sits 16th in the IRB World Rugby rankings above 18th placed USA, when you consider Georgia defeated 15th seeded Canada, the cards looked stacked against the USA. Indeed for the first 20 or 30 minutes the Eagles seemed to struggle, giving away penalties at the breakdown, losing ground to bad scrummages.
Yet, as was the case in the Maori game, the Eagles just don’t quit. They fought, and they fought hard. Despite being 10 – 0 down midway through the first half, the Eagles just kept grinding it out. First Chris Wyles, then Blaine Scully both crossed the line. Adam Siddall again shined with the boot, and again the Eagles went to half time leading the game.
The Georgian side was never going to just bow out of the game however, Merab Kvirikashvili and Merab Sharikadze both crossing the line, with Kvirikashvili also proving lethal with his kicking skill. It’s fair to say really that the game was decided by the kicker, Siddall slotting the final points in the dying moments of the game to give the Eagles the 25 – 23 win. To describe the game as hard fought would be a massive understatement, the Eagles should be well and truly proud of this victory, their first since November 2012 against Romania.
I have made no secret of my respect for what the US team have managed to accomplish in their season. To have battled so hard against Canada, The Maori All Blacks and finally get the win is a huge accomplishment. This is a team that seems to be finding its stride, and it is finding it well. Next weekend the Eagles are in London to take on Russia at Allianz Stadium, home ground of the Saracens. Russia may be lower in ranking than the USA, but as this game showed that doesn’t mean much. The Eagles will need to come out hard, and bring the game to the Russians. The European game play can confound and perplex the North Americans. Canada has fallen in both it’s European road tests, losing to Georgia at Tbilisi. That said, Russia played against Japan in north Wales, losing 40-13.
Its got to be said, Coach Mike Tolkin has done an amazing job with his team. Consistent leadership from Captain Todd Clever, solid play from the likes of Siddall, Mike Petri, Samu Manoa and Cameron Dolan and just the sheer determination of a team that actually wants to win have been breath taking to watch. There’s been a lot of growth in this team, to see them sell out stadiums and have 18,500 fans in the states screaming for them, to see their fans following them half a world away to Eastern Europe, is incredible. I can’t help but wonder what is going to happen when they get onto the grounds in the UK. England is a huge rugby nation, and given Chris Wyles is a Sarrie himself there’s likely to be a few red and black jerseys in the audience amongst the red, white and blue.
Can the Eagles get up again and defeat the Bears? I’m going to say yes, and what’s more, I’m going to say it’s going to be a decisive victory. The Eagles have shown they have game, and this coming weekend it’s going to be all on!
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Main Photo Credit: USA Rugby
