Well it was fitting, in a way, that the USA v Japan game was played in the middle of the California State Fair, with the roller coaster screaming by Bonney Field every few minutes - it was a bit of a roller coaster of a game, after all; but the USA’s victory over Japan does a few things, not least of which is that it places the Eagles in with a chance to win the Pacific Nations Cup.

Photos by David Barpal. Click to enlarge. Top to bottom, LaValla and Lamositele give some Washington state support to Phil Thiel; Everyone comes in to support Andrew Durutalo; Mike Petri, 50th cap, and played very well; The Wheel.

That scenario is fairly simple: If the Eagles beat Tonga in Toronto on Tuesday, they will have 9 or 10 points in the standings. And if Fiji loses to Japan, then the USA wins their pool, setting up an August 3 championship game in Burnaby, BC against either Japan or, more likely, Samoa.

If the Eagles lose to Tonga or Fiji beats Japan, the Americans will still likely be playing for 3rd in the PNC. 

But more than any of that, Friday night’s win before a packed Bonney Field in Sacramento was an injection of confidence for the entire team, beating an opponent they hadn’t beaten in the last five attempts.

“It was a big confident boost,” said USA Coach Mike Tolkin late Friday night. “We got a win, which is big. We had peaks and valleys, but we stuck to what we are trying to achieve and finished strong. I think the fact that the guys fought hard, beat a team we haven’t beaten in 12 years, and to hang on at the end was really emotional, and really gratifying.”

The determination, combined with patience, was a big part of the victory. Down 18-9 they went about their business, garnering three penalties to tie the game. What was also gratifying about that was how two penalties were produced exactly the same way, using the box kick to get territory, and putting the Japanese under pressure from there. It showed they would take what was given, and then, burned by previous kicks, Japan was the one to lose discipline, obstructing Blaine Scully and giving up a penalty that led to the winning try.

Add to that the defense. Aside from the middle 20 minutes, the Eagle defense was very strong. They competed at the breakdown, but not too much, made tackles, and kept their unity.

The scrum - it was a bit crazy. Most of the scrums were unpretty, but overall the Eagles held their own, and were awarded a couple of penalties. Eric Fry seemed a bit tired at the end, but battled on. Both props played the entire game, and were warriors, but more than that, everyone in the pack pushed hard. It made a difference.

And AJ MacGinty showed a lot on Friday, trusting his teammates and the timing of the attack better, and avoiding aimless kicks, he also produced points when Japan turned on the cynical defense. He was also pretty brave in contact.

So a massive emotional step forward for everyone Friday, especially after the upheaval of Todd Clever being sent home. 

On Tuesday expect to see a few changes in the lineup, but not wholesale changes. We might see Eric Fry and/or Titi Lamositele get a rest after a big week. Mate Moeakiola should be healthy and he will be itching to play against the country of his birth. 

Tolkin will likely tinker with the back five in the pack, also, given that he held out John Quill, and Danny Barrett left the Japan game injured. We might see Cam Dolan at No. 8, and Quill back despite Andrew Durutalo’s very strong outing. That leaves a few questions at second row. Scott LaValla might be back there, or he might stay at flanker (where he was excellent on Friday), with a combination of Lou Stanfill, Hayden Smith, and Greg Peterson.

It could also be time to shift out a couple of players in the midfield. Defensively and offensively Thretton Palamo and Seamus Kelly have been asked to do a lot. Palamo’s defense faltered at times, so maybe we see Andrew Suniula and Folau Niua there.

These days, with confidence building in the team, you feel like it almost doesn’t matter what the lineup is.