Shawn Pittman (5.5)- Pittman had one of his better matches in a while for the Eagles. He was solid in the scrum and was active in the open field. Now, just to land on a club overseas.
Chris Biller (6)- Another decent performance on set pieces. His throws in the lineout are one of the best aspects of his game. Was unfortunate to be denied a try by Ciaran Hearn to start the match.
Eric Fry (4.5)- Simply put Fry is struggling right now. He seems lost and it was obvious with his replacement in the 50th minute that he just wasn't adequate on the day. That said, unlike the rest of his front-row mates he is the only one to be playing professionally.
Lou Stanfill (5)- Another solid game from Stanfill but he isn't doing enough to make himself standout.
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Brian Doyle (5.5)- His play in the first half may have been some of his better work for the Eagles. He is a very serviceable lock but at this point you have to wonder how much upside he has.
Scott LaValla (5)- It's difficult to grade LaValla because he is expected to bring more to the table than other players. He was good on Saturday but with all the talent he has he needs to do better. If he were another player he would probably have received a higher grade.
Peter Dahl (5)- He brings a lot of energy but at the same time needs that extra something he doesn't have at the moment. Look for him to play in the ARC and if he can't make an impact it may be time to go with someone else.
Todd Clever (6)- Clever had one of his better matches in recent memory. He was active around the ball and communicated well with his team. His energy to start the match helped push the team forward.
Robbie Shaw (6)- The offense ran more smoothly with Shaw in the match. He found the right targets and generally put the U.S. on the front foot. He also did a good job of limiting Phil Mack. He did well in adjusting to the new scrum laws.
Toby L'Estrange (4.5)- Again, it was a better performance than last week but it's just not working out for L'Estrange as a fly-half. He is still a valuable player but he might be better suited as a center.
Luke Hume (6.5)- It was great to see Hume back in the lineup. On a team that often seems afraid to take on defenders Hume was brilliant and taking it to Canada. Sometimes that got him in trouble but you would rather have someone trying to do something than doing nothing at all.
Andrew Suniula (5.5)- Solid but not spectacular from Suniula. He's one of the older player on the team and unless he can find some solid minutes at the club level it may be time for him to be used as a substitute.
Chris Wyles (6)- Wyles has played outside center for Saracens but rarely for the U.S. and it showed. That said, he still made an impact. With the emergence of Blaine Scully and the retirement of Paul Emerick a permanent move to center for Wyles may be the best way he can help the team. He could have been better from the tee but he's the only one willing to step up.
Taku Ngwenya (6)- Ngwenya was finally put in a spot to do something as evidenced by his try. He is most effective when he can have space out on the wing with his team moving forward. The Eagles finally did that for him.
Blaine Scully (7)- Although the Eagles lost it was a breakout game of sorts for Scully. He was the Eagles best player on the pitch. He was active, strong in the air, and looks like a key piece of the Eagles future going forward.
Substitutes
Titi Lamositele (6.5)- Finally saw some significant time in playing the last 30 minutes of the match. He was strong at the breakdown and generally showed that he deserves more time.
Mike Petri (5.5)- Coming on as a substitute may be the best role for Petri. He was able to feel the game and make a positive impact. His kicking was also improved.
Cam Dolan (5)- Wasn't really noticed after coming on. That can be a good thing but you want more from a substitute.
Folau Niua (6.5)- For the second week in a row Niua came on and instantly made the U.S. offense better. Will he be able to contribute more to 15's alongside his 7's duties.
Roland Suniula (5.5)- Again, another player that could have come on and made more of a difference. He is still young and with him getting time overseas he should be a bigger part of the team going forward.
Zach Fenoglio (5.5)- He did a good job filling in for Chris Biller.
Did any of y'all read the post game interview with USA Rugby Chief Nigel? To me, it sounded an AWFUL LOT like every question he answered was along the lines of saying "none of this is my fault! It's all the Head Coaches choices, and his responsibility" That's what I got from it, and I gotta say, What a gutless thing to do. Throw your coach (that you promoted to that job, and talked him up to everybody) under the bus and take no responsibility for anything going on with the Eagles. Does Tolkin need to be gotten rid of, and serious coaching changes need to be made? yes. An emphatic yes to all the above. But for him to stand there and throw his coach under the bus like that, and claim all the woes are the coaches fault, and that even though we got Tolkin because of him, he has no responsibility for the way things are going, is just pathetic. OK. I'm off that soap box.
ReplyDeleteAs to the Players,
ReplyDeleteWhen are we going to sit Fry already? I agree with the lost comment. And as I watched the game unfold, I kept thinking about how tired, and unfit Fry was. Change at Tight Head needs to happen now.
Shaw needs to be our new Scrummie going forward. He is in every way better. There are far better Scrummies than him in the country that can be added to the team, and that would jump at the chance, and we should ALWAYS be looking in to that for every position, but for now, he's our #9.
L'Estrange needs to no longer wear an Eagles jersey. I have seen nothing from him in anything I have ever watched that has shown that he is deserving of the position. And if it's something as lame as "well there really isn't anybody else back at camp who can replace him", then the Eagles need to GO FIND THEM!
Clever redeemed himself a bit in my eyes this time around. And I believe the new style of play and heart from the team came from him (and most like others as well) taking it upon himself to bring about that change and it not really have anything to do with the coaches. At least that's the feeling I got from things he said after SC, and watching the match.
Also, the fundamentals were just ghastly bad. Ball handling and security being the most noticeable. If Tolkin doesn't bring on a skills coach soon, that is just further proof that HE is the lynchpin of the problem, and needs to go. (not that any of us really need more proof but there ya go)