After the USA lost 47-10 to Australia, USA Head Coach Mike Tolkin spoke with Australia Coach Michael Cheika, telling the visitor how valuable a game of that speed and an opponent of that caliber was to the Eagles.

Cheika may have been unhappy with his team’s first-half performance, although he was pleased to avoid major injuries among his players, but for the USA, this kind of game comes along all too infrequently. 

And, he points out, “we were a jersey-grab away from making it close late in the game.”

That would be the Chris Wyles breakaway where he was caught and the later lineout resulted in a turnover and a try for Australia. That was a 12- or 14-point turnover.

All photos by Judy Teasdale.

Got to get those kicks all the way out.

Thretton Palamo continues to improve.

Samu Manoa likely has more to give.

Taku Ngwenya about to set up a try.

“The tempo was up in that game and at that point in the game we started to make mental and physical mistakes,” said Tolkin. “That was the first time we’ve played tempo like that all summer. But if we can bottle that [first half] that would be phenomenal. Even the second half was dotted with some good moments. But in the first half, that was a very good passage of play.”

The pace of the game did run down the Eagles, but wasn’t always about fitness. It was about getting used to the type of game, and it was little things.

“After this summer, playing all of the games we’ve had and training every day, the fitness is there,” said Tolkin. “But when you play a team like the Wallabies and you kick for touch and you don’t kick it into the seats, and they play quick - that happened on three or four different occasions - all of a sudden you’ve added 100 meters to that play, with guys having to chase and play more. Little mistakes can add running to your game where they won’t against Canada or Tonga.

Tolkin did get some good games from several individuals. Mike Petri was probably the player of the game, but the rest of the interior backs - AJ MacGinty at flyhalf and Thretton Palamo and Seamus Kelly in the midfield - continue to develop. Tolkin said he wasn’t happy with the impact from the bench, which is something the Eagles have been able to bring in other games. That kind of thing is what can make or break a World Cup.

Smart decisions can make or break a World Cup, too. Eric Fry and Taku Ngwenya looking for support during the buildup to Petri’s try.

“Even in the second half we put ourselves in position to score,” said Tolkin. “But we have to be able to put teams away and put the knife through the heart when we have the opportunity to do so. We’re at the point where we can ask questions of ourselves even when we’re playing one of the best teams in the world.”

The lessons will be valuable, and all the more so because they come right before the World Cup. The USA plays Samoa on September 20, and that will be a game that holds much import. And you have to wonder, if maybe it comes down to a little thing - the right lineout, or the kick into the stands, not just to touch - a little thing the players learned in Chicago, that could make the difference.