I want to be measured. I want to take this outcome with a grain of salt and remember how good things have been of late. It isn’t easy.
USA Rugby fell 25-32 against Uruguay’s Los Teros. At home. It marks the first time the Eagles have ever lost to Uruguay on American soil. As 2019 proceeds in the shadow of an amazing 2018, the disappointments are mounting. A team that was driving conversation about what Tier 1 team they might upset in the Rugby World Cup now looks like they’re lucky to even have a spot in the World Cup.
One is left to wonder how things turned south so fast.
Historic Joe
Thank goodness for mighty Joe Taufete’e. If not for his hat trick, which, oh by the way, set the international record for front row tries (18), things would have been even more lost.
In an overall let down effort, Taufete’e stood out as an elite performer. His speed, power, and persistence were impressive. Unfortunately for the Eagles, it wasn’t enough.
Despite the disappointing loss, Taufete’e deserves praise. On a gloomy evening for USA Rugby, he was a sole shining light.
Das Boot
Last week I observed that tactical kicking was an area the Eagles needed to address. This week, that weakness became a full-blown liability. Like Sisyphus pushing his rock up the hill endlessly, the Eagles insisted on working the box kick, the chip kick, the cross-field kick, and the grubber as if there was no tomorrow.
All of which must have delighted Uruguay, who seemed to promptly score in counter-attack every time the Eagles put ball to boot.
I don’t blame Ruben de Haas. In fact, I thought he had an overall strong game amidst a sea of letdowns. Rather, I blame the kick chase defense. USA simply can’t be surrendering attacking opportunities of that ease every time they kick. And yet, they are.
Knowing that, it is fair to say that de Haas and Will Magie need to reign the kicks in. They need to know their team, and their team wasn’t backing that sort of play.
You Are the Weakest Link
In a week where USA Rugby has featured in breaking news about a potential world league (covered ably by TRS writers here, here, and here), the Eagles have not exactly covered themselves in glory. The home loss caps a three-week stretch of despair, which doesn’t recommend the Eagles for the new 12-team World League concept.
Luckily, or unfairly, or both, the USA consideration is probably not based on the form of the team. And therefore, it is probably not at risk. But for other nations looking for ammunition to criticize, the Eagles have certainly provided an armory of high explosive rounds.
Tarnished Gold
When Gary Gold took over the Eagles, they began a string of unprecedented success. Now, in his second year, a string of losses without, at the least, recent precedent, has followed.
Gary was able to take success and build on it. We have yet to see if he can take failure and correct it. At this point, we probably won’t see it this winter. Even a win against Canada is far too late to salvage the Americas Rugby Championship.
But beyond Canada, the Pacific Nations Cup awaits. It feels like a much different team approaching that tournament than expected only months ago. If Gary Gold can right the ship for the PNC, that will serve as a vote of confidence heading into the World Cup. If not, we’ll have to wonder if his early brilliance was ultimately an oasis, never to be truly attained.
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