Last week I mentioned that I was looking to get away from the "Sleeping Giant". Well, things sort of fell into place nicely and I'm now taking my meanderings over to Rugby America . It's a news/blog website doing pretty much the same things I was doing here... only bigger and better. It's heading in the direction of a more collaborative effort, which I think is good. We can never have enough coverage or exposure for rugby here in the USA.
The site just launched, but things look great so far. There are alot of great things in the pipeline for Rugby America, so I'm happy to be a part of it.
I'm going to leave The Sleeping Giant up and running. Mostly because I have almost 100 posts here that are still being read on a weekly basis. Some of the posts may find their way over to Rugby America in time, some of them will stay here. This site is free, so I'm not pressured to take the content down. I might as well leave it up here for anyone who wishes to read through it.
So, in closing, I'd like to thank everyone that has visited The Sleeping Giant. Especially those who came back often. If you liked what I've done here, please link to www.rugbyamerica.net and spread the word.
Rugby America
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Rugby World Cup 2011 Draw... WTF?????
Yesterday, the pools for the 2011 Rugby World Cup were drawn as part of a large ceremony in London. So, let me get this straight... the pools were drawn for a tournament that doesn't take place for another 2 1/2 years? All I have to ask is why?
Yeah, yeah... I know that the WRC qualification process has already begun, but who gives a crap? The pools shouldn't have been drawn up until the summer before the tournament begins. That would give everyone another two years to jockey for position and make for some more excitement. Argentina is a perfect example. They clearly peaked at the last RWC and have since started to tumble as some key players retired. Since the pools were drawn up already, they were the top seed in their respective pool. By the time the next World Cup rolls around, Argentina could be the 7th or 8th ranked team in the IRB rankings. England must feel blessed to fall into that pool. Even in their disarray, they will have to feel confident going into that pool.
The whole deal just highlights the disconnect between the top rugby playing nations and everyone else. Outside of the major playing nations, I don't think any of the other nations could have cared less. When you look at the nations that have to qualify, does it really matter if they are in Pool A or Pool C? The Rugby World Cup is clearly designed to benefit the major rugby playing nations.
As for the Eagles, I'm kind of torn. I want to see them beat Canada, but I think they'd be better off in Pool C as the America 2 representative. If they really got their act together, then Pool A could give them a shot at two wins. Eh... it's still 2 1/2 years away and alot can happen between now and then. Then again, why am I waxing about it at all. Is the one win really worth the amount of money that USA Rugby will put into the effort?
For those of you that care about these pools, here you go. Hopefully the NCAA will take a que from the IRB and go ahead and pick the bowl teams for the 2011 football season. No, wait... that would be stupid.
Pool A - New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B - Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off Winner
Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D - South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the hell out of the World Cup. The action is great at the knockout stages. The pool play is interesting, but fairly predictable. My beef lies with the incredibly premature nature of this announcement. Does anyone really believe that the All Blacks need 2 1/2 years to prepare to take on Tonga, Canada/USA, and Japan?
Yeah, yeah... I know that the WRC qualification process has already begun, but who gives a crap? The pools shouldn't have been drawn up until the summer before the tournament begins. That would give everyone another two years to jockey for position and make for some more excitement. Argentina is a perfect example. They clearly peaked at the last RWC and have since started to tumble as some key players retired. Since the pools were drawn up already, they were the top seed in their respective pool. By the time the next World Cup rolls around, Argentina could be the 7th or 8th ranked team in the IRB rankings. England must feel blessed to fall into that pool. Even in their disarray, they will have to feel confident going into that pool.
The whole deal just highlights the disconnect between the top rugby playing nations and everyone else. Outside of the major playing nations, I don't think any of the other nations could have cared less. When you look at the nations that have to qualify, does it really matter if they are in Pool A or Pool C? The Rugby World Cup is clearly designed to benefit the major rugby playing nations.
As for the Eagles, I'm kind of torn. I want to see them beat Canada, but I think they'd be better off in Pool C as the America 2 representative. If they really got their act together, then Pool A could give them a shot at two wins. Eh... it's still 2 1/2 years away and alot can happen between now and then. Then again, why am I waxing about it at all. Is the one win really worth the amount of money that USA Rugby will put into the effort?
For those of you that care about these pools, here you go. Hopefully the NCAA will take a que from the IRB and go ahead and pick the bowl teams for the 2011 football season. No, wait... that would be stupid.
Pool A - New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B - Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off Winner
Pool C - Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D - South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the hell out of the World Cup. The action is great at the knockout stages. The pool play is interesting, but fairly predictable. My beef lies with the incredibly premature nature of this announcement. Does anyone really believe that the All Blacks need 2 1/2 years to prepare to take on Tonga, Canada/USA, and Japan?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Day 1 of the Dubai 7's
The action from Day 1 of the Dubai 7's has almost finished and the USA 7's squad is having deja vu. For the third straight year, the USA has gone winless one Day 1 of the competition. The Eagles started off the day with the daunting task of taking on Fiji, looking for a closer result they went down in defeat 47-12 to Fiji. No one expected the USA to win that one, so the next two matches were the ones they were targeting for wins. Unfortunately, the USA lost both of them. The first was a 24-10 loss to England, but the last loss was the toughest of them all as the Eagles fell 22-12 to Portugal in their final match of the day.
Details of the matches haven't surfaced yet. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the 0-3 record on Day 1, the USA 7's squad has to be disappointed. The squad has been touted as the biggest, strongest, and fastest USA 7's team ever. While all of those things help immensely, fitness scores don't win matches.
The surprise of the pool, Portugal was hammered in their opener agaist England, but bounced back with a very respectable 12-0 loss to Fiji. With momentum built from their close loss to Fiji, Portugal toppled the USA.
The USA 7's squad now needs to pin their ears back for Day 2 of the tournament. If they tought there was pressure to succeed as a core team, the pressure is now really on. Core teams are supposed to win matches and going 0-5 isn't an option. The last two years, they've went 0-10 in Dubai so they'll be looking to break that dubious streak. The loss to Portugal put the Eagles in a much more difficult Bowl Quarterfinal assignment as they'll take on France. With the win, Portugal gets Georgia in the Bowl Quarters. France had a close loss to Samoa and another loss to Argentina before pulling out a close victory over Georgia. The USA and France played some very close matches last season, so this one could be very tight.
Best of luck to the guys tomorrow.
Details of the matches haven't surfaced yet. Regardless of the circumstances that led to the 0-3 record on Day 1, the USA 7's squad has to be disappointed. The squad has been touted as the biggest, strongest, and fastest USA 7's team ever. While all of those things help immensely, fitness scores don't win matches.
The surprise of the pool, Portugal was hammered in their opener agaist England, but bounced back with a very respectable 12-0 loss to Fiji. With momentum built from their close loss to Fiji, Portugal toppled the USA.
The USA 7's squad now needs to pin their ears back for Day 2 of the tournament. If they tought there was pressure to succeed as a core team, the pressure is now really on. Core teams are supposed to win matches and going 0-5 isn't an option. The last two years, they've went 0-10 in Dubai so they'll be looking to break that dubious streak. The loss to Portugal put the Eagles in a much more difficult Bowl Quarterfinal assignment as they'll take on France. With the win, Portugal gets Georgia in the Bowl Quarters. France had a close loss to Samoa and another loss to Argentina before pulling out a close victory over Georgia. The USA and France played some very close matches last season, so this one could be very tight.
Best of luck to the guys tomorrow.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
With the Thansgiving Holiday tomorrow, I wanted to take this chance to jot down a few things that I'm thankful for:
1. That I have the priveledge to play, teach, and share the great sport of rugby. Too often we get caught up in all of the business of the sport and the negatives that surround playing in a developing rugby nation and forget the blessing that we have all found in rugby. We all need to do our part and share the sport with everyone. America is a huge country and USA Rugby has plenty of fish to fry. We can't expect them to hold our hands every step of the way.
2. My family who put up with me, my smelly kit bag, and the travel involved with rugby. Americans are truly a dedicated rugby community. If you told someone from a major rugby playing nation that they'd have to drive at least an hour to get to almost every match, they'd tell you to stuff it. Many Americans have little choice and we do it happily, because it means we get to play.
3. That amazing Munster/All Blacks match. It's been over a week since it was played and I still can't stop thinking about it. I recorded it on my DVR and I may watch it again tonight. That match had everything that is great about our sport. If you haven't seen it, please go get it. Whatever you have to do. It was a master class on what it means to play with passion.
My list could go on and on and on, so I'll stop here.
Best of luck to the 7's squad in Dubai.
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
1. That I have the priveledge to play, teach, and share the great sport of rugby. Too often we get caught up in all of the business of the sport and the negatives that surround playing in a developing rugby nation and forget the blessing that we have all found in rugby. We all need to do our part and share the sport with everyone. America is a huge country and USA Rugby has plenty of fish to fry. We can't expect them to hold our hands every step of the way.
2. My family who put up with me, my smelly kit bag, and the travel involved with rugby. Americans are truly a dedicated rugby community. If you told someone from a major rugby playing nation that they'd have to drive at least an hour to get to almost every match, they'd tell you to stuff it. Many Americans have little choice and we do it happily, because it means we get to play.
3. That amazing Munster/All Blacks match. It's been over a week since it was played and I still can't stop thinking about it. I recorded it on my DVR and I may watch it again tonight. That match had everything that is great about our sport. If you haven't seen it, please go get it. Whatever you have to do. It was a master class on what it means to play with passion.
My list could go on and on and on, so I'll stop here.
Best of luck to the 7's squad in Dubai.
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!
Long Time No See
It's been almost three months since my last posting and I apologize for that. I took a hiatus for many reasons. Mostly to do with the launch of my own business. Still, I had tired of my own blog. Somewhere in the mix I lost my way and it felt like I was posting just for the sake of posting. The words felt regurgitated and they weren't coming from the heart. I feel alot better now and I was very surprised that even through my absense, the site is still getting plenty of hits. I like to think I had some interesting things to say about the state of rugby in the USA. I also could be full of crap too.
I think the entire blog needs to evolve more. I'm thinking about dumping the Sleeping Giant tagline. When you really think about it, it's bull. Sleeping Giant... bah! We're just another rugby playing nation. Sure, we have tons of potential, but the Sleeping Giant gets thrown around too much. Expect some sort of name change in the coming months.
So, what happens in the aftermath of the Eagles being swept in Japan? Well, I certainly hope the 7's squad fares alot better in the first two rounds of the IRB 7's Series. They've got a nice looking squad and competition for spots is fierce. I expect that to help them immensly. They've traditionally struggled in the opening tournament, so hopefully they'll come out stronger in Dubai this time around.
As for the Eagles, hopefully everyone learned alot from the last few weeks. It's hard to say how they progressed seeing as we couldn't watch them on TV. I enjoyed watching the Uruguay webcast, even though it was a few days late. Honestly, it was just nice to see the Eagles win. Losing two in Japan didn't help though, it just highlights the fact that while things are progressing in the USA, everyone else is progressing faster.
As things continue to shake out, I think everyone at USA Rugby needs to rethink the approach. Are the Eagles really the key to opening up the American sporting market to rugby? I love the Eagles, but I don't think they are the way in. I think a solid domestic competition has a much better chance of denting the market than the Eagles. I've argued with many people on this subject, but the average American sporting fan doesn't give two squirts about international competition outside of the Olympics. If that is the case, then why in the hell isn't USA Rugby putting more focus into developing the city based domestic competition that we've been hearing about for years and years? I realize that the IRB awards their grant money to support high performance (read: Eagles) in the USA. Wouldn't an elite city based competition fall under that category? Could we have made more progress in the last few years if the HP money had been put into a domestic competition instead of the NA4 and Eagles? There's word that the Eagles will play 12 or so matches in 2009. Sounds great, but how will there be money left over for anything other than the Eagles?
Better yet, why isn't there more focus on the collegiate game? I've never been a big fan of college rugby, but I will not deny it's potential. I was happy to see the announcement regarding the College Rugby Game of the Week. That could be a solid step in the right direction. But, with the announcement there was little information. No dates, times, or broadcast partner. If the games end up with second (or third) rate broadcasts, then what good will have been done?
Ah, I better cut it off here. I'm starting to get worked up. There's alot to be said, so that'll have to wait for another time. I've tip-toed my way back onto the pitch and I'm ready for a run. It's good to be back.
Thanks for your patience.
I think the entire blog needs to evolve more. I'm thinking about dumping the Sleeping Giant tagline. When you really think about it, it's bull. Sleeping Giant... bah! We're just another rugby playing nation. Sure, we have tons of potential, but the Sleeping Giant gets thrown around too much. Expect some sort of name change in the coming months.
So, what happens in the aftermath of the Eagles being swept in Japan? Well, I certainly hope the 7's squad fares alot better in the first two rounds of the IRB 7's Series. They've got a nice looking squad and competition for spots is fierce. I expect that to help them immensly. They've traditionally struggled in the opening tournament, so hopefully they'll come out stronger in Dubai this time around.
As for the Eagles, hopefully everyone learned alot from the last few weeks. It's hard to say how they progressed seeing as we couldn't watch them on TV. I enjoyed watching the Uruguay webcast, even though it was a few days late. Honestly, it was just nice to see the Eagles win. Losing two in Japan didn't help though, it just highlights the fact that while things are progressing in the USA, everyone else is progressing faster.
As things continue to shake out, I think everyone at USA Rugby needs to rethink the approach. Are the Eagles really the key to opening up the American sporting market to rugby? I love the Eagles, but I don't think they are the way in. I think a solid domestic competition has a much better chance of denting the market than the Eagles. I've argued with many people on this subject, but the average American sporting fan doesn't give two squirts about international competition outside of the Olympics. If that is the case, then why in the hell isn't USA Rugby putting more focus into developing the city based domestic competition that we've been hearing about for years and years? I realize that the IRB awards their grant money to support high performance (read: Eagles) in the USA. Wouldn't an elite city based competition fall under that category? Could we have made more progress in the last few years if the HP money had been put into a domestic competition instead of the NA4 and Eagles? There's word that the Eagles will play 12 or so matches in 2009. Sounds great, but how will there be money left over for anything other than the Eagles?
Better yet, why isn't there more focus on the collegiate game? I've never been a big fan of college rugby, but I will not deny it's potential. I was happy to see the announcement regarding the College Rugby Game of the Week. That could be a solid step in the right direction. But, with the announcement there was little information. No dates, times, or broadcast partner. If the games end up with second (or third) rate broadcasts, then what good will have been done?
Ah, I better cut it off here. I'm starting to get worked up. There's alot to be said, so that'll have to wait for another time. I've tip-toed my way back onto the pitch and I'm ready for a run. It's good to be back.
Thanks for your patience.
Friday, August 29, 2008
The All Blacks to Invade America?
Well, not a whole hell of alot to talk about right now. We've got the whole All Blacks vs. Australia in Denver thing. Pretty good stuff. I was surprised that they chose Denver and not something on the West Coast where they could take advantage of the islander population. I'm sure they did their homework, so I'm not arguing with Denver. The New Zealand Herald says that they're tentatively setting it for Halloween 2009. The All Blacks to invade America on the spookiest night of the year. I can see some interesting marketing angles for this one.
I love the idea of them coming to play in the USA and I will most likely try to pull every string in the book to go to the match, but I'm not sure it will work. Fall in the USA is all about football. I don't care much for football, it's way too structured and boring. But, I completely respect the impact it has on the American sporting public. Putting 60,000 fans in the seats for the All Blacks and Australia will be no easy task. Although having such a rare experience take place in the USA should be worth at least 30,000 in seats. This match is going to need to be marketed like mad. Not Super Bowl mad, but you get the idea.
With major sponsors involved, a major network broadcasting the match, and free to watch for millions of Americans. This could be a very good thing for rugby in America. That is... if they fill the seats. The All Blacks and Wallabies will do their part to show everyone how the game is meant to be played. It could be a rugby spectacle and if the stadium is packed... wow! Sponsors, fans, and athletes will take notice. Throw in a curtain raiser with the Eagles taking on Canada, Russia, or Japan and this could be huge.
I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes on the news while all of this gets sorted out.
I love the idea of them coming to play in the USA and I will most likely try to pull every string in the book to go to the match, but I'm not sure it will work. Fall in the USA is all about football. I don't care much for football, it's way too structured and boring. But, I completely respect the impact it has on the American sporting public. Putting 60,000 fans in the seats for the All Blacks and Australia will be no easy task. Although having such a rare experience take place in the USA should be worth at least 30,000 in seats. This match is going to need to be marketed like mad. Not Super Bowl mad, but you get the idea.
With major sponsors involved, a major network broadcasting the match, and free to watch for millions of Americans. This could be a very good thing for rugby in America. That is... if they fill the seats. The All Blacks and Wallabies will do their part to show everyone how the game is meant to be played. It could be a rugby spectacle and if the stadium is packed... wow! Sponsors, fans, and athletes will take notice. Throw in a curtain raiser with the Eagles taking on Canada, Russia, or Japan and this could be huge.
I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes on the news while all of this gets sorted out.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Eagles Close Out the Summer with a Loss to Munster
Busy day yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to pour over the Eagles match this past weekend. The extra day did give me a chance to think a little bit more about the result. I wasn't surprised with the final score and anyone out there that was surprised hasn't been paying attention to the Eagles of late. However, I thought that they battled well and showed spirit throughout the match, but they were clearly outclassed by Munster. Munster is a great professional club and the 10-6 result from last year is looking really good right now. While Munster didn't play their big guns, there was still alot of talent on that pitch for Munster. I hope everyone out there watching paid attention, because Munster gave a master class in how to keep the ball alive and offload in the tackle. It was like watching a Super 14 team play. With a slew of professionals with their clubs in Europe, the Eagles are still fielding a very developmental side. Still a good thing in my opinion. With the experience these guys are getting, the player pool is just getting deeper. When the pros return for the Fall tests with Uruguay and Japan, they'll have to earn their spots.
I'm not going to give a play by play of the match, because frankly... you've all seen it or at least read the full report on the other sites. I'm just here to spew thoughts. Let's see... where to begin. I thought their fitness was even better than against Clermont. The match was played at a pretty fast pace and the Eagles kept up to the very end. There was a lot of hard hitting from both sides. Other than the outcome, it was a very entertaining match to watch. Lots of hitting, running, scoring, and action. Clever was everywhere... as always. He's leading by example and the Eagles seem to play with a little more intensity this week. They need to keep Stanfill in the lineup too. He brings a little extra intensity with him to the pitch and the Eagles need that. Seeing him and Van der Geissen chasing down the Justin Boyd kick and linking up for a try was one of my highlights of the entire summer for the Eagles. Great stuff by the two second rows and something we need more of out of the big men. Boyd looked less like a deer in the headlights this week and hopefully he'll continue to develop. Coppedge was still pretty quiet on the other wing. I thought Wyles had a much better match and put in some solid tackles. The set pieces were better, but still need improvement. The Eagles nailed their first 3-4 line outs and then went cold. The scrums weren't solid, but they didn't lose their own put ins and actually gave the scrumhalves a little bit to work with at times. Hanno Dirksen also got on the pitch for about 15 minutes at flyhalf and played pretty well.
Bad? Ummm... still some breakdowns in their defensive patterns that cost the Eagles. I wasn't keen on the extra punches thrown by Mate. We've all been down that road before when you want to throw some nuckles around, but he really didn't need to throw the extra 3-4 after the first one. I like the Eagles to play with a chip on their shoulder and the skirmish started when the Eagles had a chance to take a quick tap and a Munster player was holding onto the ball on the ground. I was fine with Clever getting testy and even semi-fine with Mate's first punch, but the other punches were uncalled for. He's probably looking at a suspension. Malifa's kicking for touch was also pretty bad. Petri showed him up a few times by gaining more territory and finding touch (from both feet) with box kicks. Or should I call them... corkscrew kicks?
We've got Uruguay coming up sometime before the tour to Japan. I'd like to think the Eagles will stomp on Uruguay, but you never know. Getting the overseas pros back will be a big boost, but I think having time together is the best remedy. The biggest problem for the Eagles is that from here, everyone will go their own way and then when they get back together a week before they play Uruguay they'll be back at step one. They'll be good enough to win and get their losing streak off of their backs, but it won't be enough to beat Japan. Japan has come a long way with their rugby and will put the Eagles to the sword if the Eagles aren't prepared. Getting time together is one of the biggest dilemmas facing the Eagles and we haven't gotten anything from Boulder as to how they are going to address the issue. Until the squad can get more time together, we can't be surprised by any defeat.
The camera work on the match was better for ESPN, but that stooge they use on the sideline has to go. He's like a wind up robot and does not look comfortable one bit. I felt bad for Mike Tolkin and Doug Howlett having to answer his questions. The guy probably didn't even know who Doug Howlett was other than what he was reading off his teleprompter. They need to get some passionate rugby people on the sidelines for stuff like that. I do like Viz in the booth though. Now that these matches are over, I really hope this isn't the end of rugby on ESPN Classic. USA Rugby needs to get them to run some more matches, even if it's old stuff or the upcoming Uruguay match. Something to keep this pipeline open.
So, this sort of ends the Summer of Eagles rugby and it hasn't been too pretty, but it has moved along. The Churchill Cup was really bad. We got some new (and young) guys in the Eagles squad and they were at least fitter for the Clermont and Munster matches, but they gave up alot of points like an inexperienced squad tends to do. They did manage to score some tries though. I think they scored more in the last two matches than they had in all of the last year... or something like that. I think we're all still left wondering... what's next?
Until next time... thanks for stopping by.
I'm not going to give a play by play of the match, because frankly... you've all seen it or at least read the full report on the other sites. I'm just here to spew thoughts. Let's see... where to begin. I thought their fitness was even better than against Clermont. The match was played at a pretty fast pace and the Eagles kept up to the very end. There was a lot of hard hitting from both sides. Other than the outcome, it was a very entertaining match to watch. Lots of hitting, running, scoring, and action. Clever was everywhere... as always. He's leading by example and the Eagles seem to play with a little more intensity this week. They need to keep Stanfill in the lineup too. He brings a little extra intensity with him to the pitch and the Eagles need that. Seeing him and Van der Geissen chasing down the Justin Boyd kick and linking up for a try was one of my highlights of the entire summer for the Eagles. Great stuff by the two second rows and something we need more of out of the big men. Boyd looked less like a deer in the headlights this week and hopefully he'll continue to develop. Coppedge was still pretty quiet on the other wing. I thought Wyles had a much better match and put in some solid tackles. The set pieces were better, but still need improvement. The Eagles nailed their first 3-4 line outs and then went cold. The scrums weren't solid, but they didn't lose their own put ins and actually gave the scrumhalves a little bit to work with at times. Hanno Dirksen also got on the pitch for about 15 minutes at flyhalf and played pretty well.
Bad? Ummm... still some breakdowns in their defensive patterns that cost the Eagles. I wasn't keen on the extra punches thrown by Mate. We've all been down that road before when you want to throw some nuckles around, but he really didn't need to throw the extra 3-4 after the first one. I like the Eagles to play with a chip on their shoulder and the skirmish started when the Eagles had a chance to take a quick tap and a Munster player was holding onto the ball on the ground. I was fine with Clever getting testy and even semi-fine with Mate's first punch, but the other punches were uncalled for. He's probably looking at a suspension. Malifa's kicking for touch was also pretty bad. Petri showed him up a few times by gaining more territory and finding touch (from both feet) with box kicks. Or should I call them... corkscrew kicks?
We've got Uruguay coming up sometime before the tour to Japan. I'd like to think the Eagles will stomp on Uruguay, but you never know. Getting the overseas pros back will be a big boost, but I think having time together is the best remedy. The biggest problem for the Eagles is that from here, everyone will go their own way and then when they get back together a week before they play Uruguay they'll be back at step one. They'll be good enough to win and get their losing streak off of their backs, but it won't be enough to beat Japan. Japan has come a long way with their rugby and will put the Eagles to the sword if the Eagles aren't prepared. Getting time together is one of the biggest dilemmas facing the Eagles and we haven't gotten anything from Boulder as to how they are going to address the issue. Until the squad can get more time together, we can't be surprised by any defeat.
The camera work on the match was better for ESPN, but that stooge they use on the sideline has to go. He's like a wind up robot and does not look comfortable one bit. I felt bad for Mike Tolkin and Doug Howlett having to answer his questions. The guy probably didn't even know who Doug Howlett was other than what he was reading off his teleprompter. They need to get some passionate rugby people on the sidelines for stuff like that. I do like Viz in the booth though. Now that these matches are over, I really hope this isn't the end of rugby on ESPN Classic. USA Rugby needs to get them to run some more matches, even if it's old stuff or the upcoming Uruguay match. Something to keep this pipeline open.
So, this sort of ends the Summer of Eagles rugby and it hasn't been too pretty, but it has moved along. The Churchill Cup was really bad. We got some new (and young) guys in the Eagles squad and they were at least fitter for the Clermont and Munster matches, but they gave up alot of points like an inexperienced squad tends to do. They did manage to score some tries though. I think they scored more in the last two matches than they had in all of the last year... or something like that. I think we're all still left wondering... what's next?
Until next time... thanks for stopping by.
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