USA Eagles Rugby moves up a notch down under

The USA side (the Eagles) had great support from the capacity crowd of 18,000 at the Wollongong Football Stadium just 60 Kms south of Sydney, proving that Australians will always support the underdog.

The USA rugby team came to the Rugby World Cup 2003 as one of the last to qualify for the final 20 but was in no way disgraced. The official International Rugby Board world ratings listed the USA Eagles at No. 15 just ahead of Tonga.

In a readers poll, Sydney newspaper had its readers rating the USA as the most improved team after Japan. Remember Japan was beaten in 1995 by 145-7. The Fox Sports rugby panel this week rated the USA as the most improved side of the tournament and the former Wallaby captain Phil Kearns said that in 2-3 World Cups' time the USA will be in the top 8 sides getting to the quarter finals.

"It just needs money to promote, a few key players bought in form the north or the south and a professional coach," Kearns said.

The game against France showed the true spirit of the USA Eagles in fighting all the way. The bookies were giving the USA 37 points start but only needed 27 and the early signs being that an upset could even have happened. The first half was closely contested with the Eagles threatening on occasions only to be turned back by a piece of French brilliance. And this was the difference -- fitness -- training and technique. Although sacrificing 10 pounds in weight per player in the forward pack the technique of the French in being able to force one "pushover" try was exceptional. It showed that it is not the weight that counts for everything in the "pigs" (forwards).

The final margin, 41-14, against one of the top four teams in the world was a credible performance. None stood out more that captain Dave Hodges (plays for Llanelli in Wales) and Australian born fly half Mike Hercus, now playing club rugby at Belmot Shore, Long Beach. It was Hercus and standout forward Kort Schubert who scored tries in the final game of the Australian tour, both converted by Hercus.

Others to shine during the four pool matches were center Phillip Eloff (Chicago Lions), John Bucholz at full back (Olympic Club- San Francisco) and Kevin Dalzell at half back (OMBAC San Diego). In the forwards Dan Lyle (Bath England) was inspirational to the younger players; Mike McDonald (Aspen) was everywhere, Kirk Khasigian (Belmont Long Beach) always reliable, and Alec Parker (Aspen) good at the breakdowns.

The "minnow" teams have drawn enormous support from the Australian crowds but now it is down to the business end of the tourney. There are two significant games today (Saturday 1st November) that could have a bearing on the quarter finalists. Samoa take on South Africa and Fiji meet Scotland.

The way Scotland has been playing they should get beaten and the same could be said for South Africa. Neither team has shown any attacking ability so if the Samoans can show the full on attacking game they did against England last weekend they could run up a winning margin in the first half before the Springboks wake up.

The Fijians should feel rested after their last game 9 days ago while the Scots had a very physical match against France just last Saturday. With star winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca back they have the strike power to down the confused Scots. Scotland have selected their veteran ball distributor Gregor Townsend at outside center where the only person he can distribute to is the winger assuming he gets the ball in the first place.