GRR: Eagle Men
PORTSMOUTH, England - The USA Men’s National Team got their official welcome to the Rugby World Cup at the HMS Nelson Wardroom and on board HMS Victory at the traditional home of the British navy.
The players all wore their suits and official Rugby World Cup caps as welcomed the team to the United Kingdom.
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.
The USA Men’s National Team is enjoying a short break before officially starting its Rugby World Cup assembly.
The troubles for the USA pack, and especially the lineout, are not as troublesome as fans might be following the Eagles’ 47-10 loss to Australia.
While Scott LaValla is out with a broken elbow, Hayden hasn’t played since July, and Cam Dolan, Al McFarland, and Samu Manoa all left the game with apparent injuries, all save LaValla will be ready to play soon.
Australia defeated the USA 47-10 in front of over 21,000 fans at Soldier Field Saturday night in Chicago, and while it was a fairly convincing win for the Wallabies, it was also a real test match for the USA.