The USA doesn’t get a full week between games in the Pacific Nations Cup, given that they played on Saturday and now play tonight, the following Friday.

That means that the Eagles has a recovery day on Sunday, and a captain’s run on Thursday, leaving them just Monday-Wednesday for on-field work, and usually there’s time off schedule in that.

USA flanker Scott LaValla understands the tradeoff, and why it’s necessary. Asked whether games get in the way of preparation, LaValla said, “they can and they can’t. If we have the liberty of having a game every week, then they’d help us getting game time and getting match fit. Especially as we are a squad that doesn’t get together as much as many other countries, so game-time together is big.”

But if you’re playing, you’re training for the next game, and dealing with the bruises and injuries that come from any test match. Training without a game to play makes some things easier.

“The thing that’s good about having a preseason with no games is that you can get a lot of work in, but for me, fitness training is not the same as match fitness. Games can get in the way of physical preparation, sure, but it’s a given and take. For us, I think it’s better this way. We need the matches; we need to play together.”

The tradeoff - less time on the training field, but more games - is worth it, said LaValla.