The USA Men’s National Team has scored four tries in three games, getting at least one try in each match, but if you’re being pessimistic, you might want to point out that every single try was a forwards try.

The first was a pick-and-go from Titi Lamositele. The next two were mauls scored by Andrew Durutalo, and the last one was a pick-and-go from Durutalo.

The backs have not been able to open things up much, especially against Tonga, but Head Coach Mike Tolkin said that had a lot to do with continuity, or the lack thereof. It wasn’t talent out wide, but inexactness in the breakdown.

Attack coach Nate Osborn is working on stuff, for sure, but, added Tolkin, “the more time we spend together the more we will have a more unified and structured attack. We will be fine.”

“We've certainly had our share of scoring opportunities,” added Mike Petri, who has done well to direct the attack when he’s been on at scrumhalf. “We just need to capitalize and execute [against Tonga]. Some of it is timing, which will improve as we continue to play together.  The coaches and veteran leaders within the squad are doing a great job to address those issues and we are all working together to be better each day.”

It’s on the forwards, too. Winning a lineout cleanly in the opposition 22 is one of the best ways to start a nice backline move. The Eagles showed that last year. Execution in the set piece, then, and in getting quick ball out of the rucks, is key. The fact that the USA gets a chance to fix that stuff on Monday is good. 

“The Tonga game left our squad feeling quite frustrated but also excited to have a chance to right the ship,” said Petri. “We have a resilient group that is really supportive of each other. That being said, we are also challenging one another every session to raise our standards.”

So it’s a combination of things - better platform, more time, but also, just playing a little better. The USA needs to score more tries to win games at the international level. They are close, but not there yet.