USA Rugby finished the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship with a win at the death over Canada 30-25. With time ticking down, it was reserve scrum half Ruben de Haas that went over the whitewash for the game-winner. And a good thing he did, because losing a game that the USA moved the ball so effectively would have been heartbreaking.
Despite the disappointments of this year’s ARC, a win over the Eagles’ closest rivals is always a welcomed salve. It was far from a perfect performance, but it was still a meaningful improvement from last week’s loss to Uruguay. The persistent mental errors of that upset were largely rectified. While some big individual performances helped push the Eagles over the top, it was a full team effort that stopped the Canadians at Starfire.
Slump Busting
An early play hinted that this test would turn out better than the last few. Marcel Brache, at the full back position, was chasing a grubber that was bouncing towards the USA try line. Canada was in hot pursuit. Brache reached the ball at an awkward angle and speed and was forced to either throw it back out into the field of play or take it into touch for a turnover. He chose the former, and for a terrible moment, it looked as if the Canadians would pick up the loose ball and run it in.
But that didn’t happen. Instead, Brache somehow recovered and dove back onto the ball. He managed to retain possession and the USA escaped.
If that had happened in any of the previous three rounds of the ARC, that ball surely would have popped into opposition hands for the try. When Brache saved it, it looked like the string of things bouncing against the Americans had ended.
Mighty Joe
The guy scores tries. With two more in the books, all of the sudden the front row try record he passed last week looks like nothing more than a speed bump. There’s no telling how many times this 26-year-old power runner will dot down before he hangs up the boots for good.
This ARC has been some tough sledding for the Eagles, but Taufete’e has certainly been the player of the tournament.
Connectivity
In truth, the Americans’ connectivity on the pitch looked impressive for much of the night. They were running effective lines, playing off each other with creativity, and generating consistent line breaks.
From #1 to #23, the Eagles all seem comfortable carrying the ball and for the most part comfortable distributing the ball. That is a good place to be, especially with star fly half AJ MacGinty unavailable.
Finishing
If there was an area of the game that stands out as a place for improvement, it’s finishing. The second half seemed like an endless stream of USA effectively attacking their way up the field, only to turn the ball over inside the Canadian 22-meter line.
Some of those turnovers should probably have been penalties in the Eagles’ favor. The Canadians were particularly inclined to rip the ball out of the carrier’s hands one he’d been tackled. That should be a penalty for not releasing. But that’s no excuse. The game needs to be played the way it’s being called, and the Eagles left far too many opportunities on the table. With how effectively the Eagles were making yards, this match should not have been close.
Tempers
There was one unsettling moment that may have gone unnoticed by fans. It should not go unnoticed by Gary Gold or captain Blaine Scully.
With the USA up 23-22, they were moving with the ball. A forward pod led by mighty Joe Taufete’e was driving forward and Will Magie sent the ball their way. But, instead of hitting lead runner Taufete’e, the ball went to one of his support runners. That immediately put Taufete’e into an offside position and he was whistled for obstruction. The penalty gave Canada the shot at goal which put them ahead 25-23 and almost cost the Eagles the match.
And mighty Joe wasn’t happy about it. He let Magie know.
Look, rugby is competitive. Rivalries are especially hot-tempered. You don’t often see that sort of infighting within the American ranks. I love Taufete’e’s passion. But when your most prolific try scorer is chewing out your fly half on the pitch, something has gone wrong. I trust it was a one-off incident, but coach and captain will be keen to make sure it stays that way.
International Wrap Up
With the ARC now complete, Team USA will disband until summer. It goes without saying that this ARC didn’t go as hoped. Not only did the three-peat escape the Eagles, but a home loss to Uruguay and a near miss against Brazil really challenged the Eagles’ confidence.
Next up will be the Pacific Nations Cup. With tests against Canada, Samoa, and Japan, it will be a great platform for the USA to make final tweaks before the Rugby World Cup this fall.
The Eagles leave the ARC with many lessons learned. Fans will be waiting to see how well those lessons are implemented going into the sport’s biggest event.
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