The USA Men's Rugby Team is dusting themselves off a from a very difficult series of games with Australia XV and getting right back into the Nations Cup.
The USA had slashes where things went right for them in the Australia non-test matches in the USA, but they also found chinks in their armor, especially when it came to finding success in the kicking game against a talented, athletic team that can counter well.
Despite giving up a lot of points, the USA players found some defensive bright spots, especially after the 26-0 start in the second game, whee the Eagles then started to close down the Aussie attack.
All of this was a valuable lessons to a somewhat depleted USA team which enters its European November still somewhat banged up. A full 23 players are unavailable or injured. Rugby fans can be quick to point out that an opposition is under-strength for one reason or another, and often the answer there is, the Eagles play who is in front of them.
An Australia A side is full of seasons pros and players with significant cap totals. But it's easy to overlook the fact that the USA themselves might be missing some players of quality.
That is certainly the case here, with, notably, the latest knock being a hamstring injury to scrumhalf Ruben de Haas which, cruelly, will leave him stuck on 49 caps while he rehabs.
But the players in Europe are the USA team, full stop, and they have plenty of ability.
