This try, like the first one, started with a scrum, only it was a scrum deep in USA territory. Again the scrum was solid, allowing the Eagles to run a play - AJ MacGinty looped Thretton Palamo while Seamus Kelly drew attention as a dummy runner. The move unleashed Chris Wyles with Blaine Scully on his outside. Wyles tried to grubber ahead for Scully, but it wasn’t the best kick and somehow Wyles had to chase after it to fix the play. He did just enough to jar the ball loose, and Mike Petri dove on the ball.

Now, once again, Petri didn’t necessarily know that Andrew Durutalo was in support on the play, but what Wyles and Petri did was try to keep the play alive, rather than slow everything down just to be extra-careful. This shows me they have a new confidence in how the team is playing. Petri was looking for someone to pass to when he dove on the ball, looking because he expected someone to be there.

Item #5 - AJ MacGinty