Eagles v Italy Game Analysis
In our analysis of the USA v Italy game we’ve come up with a few key areas that made a difference, one way or the other.
Scully Talks Eagles, and the Arm Wrestle
Several USA players have said this weekend that Saturday’s game again Italy was the true beginning of the John Mitchell era.
The reasoning is fairly logical - this was the first game where Mitchell got to pick his own players, as he was hired too late to do that in the Americas Rugby Championship in February.
Holder Handles Fullback
Will Holder’s performance at fullback for the USA Saturday was a nice highlight for player, team, and fans.
The former West Point All American is in the USA 7s program, and has been capped at flyhalf, but looked very much at home in a #15 jersey.
“It was fun,” Holder told Goff Rugby Report. “It was a great new experience, and the guys made it easy for me.”
Injury to Ngwenya Worrying, Scary
Wings Leonardo Sarto of Italy and Taku Ngwenya of the USA both left the field after four minutes on Saturday with nasty head injuries.
Italy Edges USA 24-20
Italy held on to defeat the USA 24-20 in a tense, physical test match in San Jose.
The Eagles looked very capable at times and scored two tries, but penalty trouble hurt them at crucial moments.
