(Ian Muir photo)

PERRY BAKER V FIJI, PORT ELIZABETH

It just happened so it’s easy to criticize this pick as being just fresh in our minds. But there’s a meaning to this try. At Port Elizabeth the USA won the Plate for the first time since Glasgow in the 2012-13 season. They pulled themselves up from the depths a little bit. And they beat a really strong team in then-series leaders Fiji.

If the Eagles had left Port Elizabeth at Plate Runners Up it would have been nice in terms of points, but ultimately a 3-3 tournament record and that nagging worry that they couldn’t upend the top teams. Up 14-0, the Eagles allowed Fiji back into the game 14-14, and seemed in serious trouble with a scrum deep in their 22.

The scrum was won, but Fiji was quick off the mark to bottle up Folau Niua. The forwards circled back around and rescued the ball. Scrumhalf Madison Hughes had one guy on his left and one guy on his right, and the guy on his right was Perry Baker. Hughes skated wide looking to pass to Baker. But the space for Baker to run 90 meters wasn’t there. Facing a 2-on-3 Hughes Hughes looked downfield, saw there was no sweeper, and pumped a perfect kick downfield. The skill of that kick, with defender in his face and turned to the sideline, can hardly be overstated. It was a masterful piece of rugby, and Baker took advantage. 

On his horse, Baker got to the ball at the same time as a Fijian defender. The Fiji player slid to try to control the ball, but it bounced high at the same time, meaning he could only knock it backward, where Baker, wisely still on his feet, gathered it to score. 

The try required a some quick work from the forwards, intelligent reading of the situation by Hughes, excellent execution, and remarkable athleticism. All this in the space of about 22 seconds. 

The try won the Plate Final for the Eagles, and perhaps served to ensure solid US Olympic Committee funding for the next two years. Plus, it was just pretty to watch.

Check it out here:



 

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