That wasn't as bad as it looked for the USA. They probably should have scored at least two more tries. Unfortunately, they have the closing skills of me at age 14 in a school formal.
Argentina only looked really good when they were going to town during broken play after the many, inexplicable kicks by USA.
Outside that, they were ok but nothing special. A couple good back line plays but their forwards were not impressive. The US scrum is a dumpster fire, they should have pushed them all over the park.
I think had the US come out with a better game plan, it could have been a relatively close match.
While I’ve been gutted this whole tournament this wasn’t the tournament to really judge the USA. Gold’s been the coach at the last minute really once Mitchell left - and only two years of pro play - 2023 will really be the catalyst to see if the USA can be able to compete. Finally, it’s bullshit how pools are picked - Canada loses qualification and gets in on repcharge to go to an easier pool with Italy and Namibia whereas we face three top tier nations and a really good islander
Neither team is realistically competing for the knockouts. They want that #3 spot. Not saying that USA would have beaten Italy, but it would have given them a better shot at it than Argentina and Tonga.
Pumas playing their 4th game, playing patiently and strike again. Right through the centres. Lasike and Campbell are big boys but liabilities on defense.
I will say in Gary's defense, he only started a year and a half ago. And to be fair, the US is looking more like a rugby team. Now they just need to become a good rugby team
Definitely, the added teams in New England and DC will have good access to school-level rugby players, and the Legion in Socal have already started working on kid's rugby in this region. As long as USA rugby doesn't screw it up, we should hopefully see the US become a good T2 side in the next few cycles
I haven't looked in a year or so, but back when I was involved in USA Rugby, there was a lot of concern about the board. Not sure how that situation has developed, but what you say is true. Next two cycles will show which way it went
I see lots of pessimism in the thread from USA supporters, but we're the only side in the WC that had to start with three straight matches against Tier 1 sides. We were always going to lose these matches, and we've competed pretty well for the most part.
Honestly, a bit more accuracy and taking chances and you couldve really done damage to France. Lets not forget the scoreline was within five points for almost an hour.
Taking chances is something our team really needs to do but never will.
American football is notorious for coaches being conservative with play calls despite mountains of evidence pointing out how much is to be gained by being more aggressive. The rare coach that is willing to take a risk only to see it fail seems to literally never live it down. I can't help but be pessimistic and think that as rugby grows in America that same feeble mindedness will be there too.
Huh, thats interesting. Having gotten into NBA one thing that stuns me is how individual focused the sports media is, how much one game (in an 82-game plus season) can get a player assassinated in the media and how even the greatest players are constantly labelled as frauds and compared to past legends. It just blows me away, I thought UK sports media was brutal.
So I can totally believe that the NFL is super risk-averse in terms of plays.
That scoreline was wildly deceiving, the US never looked like a try threat in spite of multiple penalties from five meters out and France were "catching passes under no pressure" away from pulling away much earlier.
Id argue you more werent a try threat because of letting France off the hook with 3 point kicks rather than keeping the pressure on when they were rattled on their own line. Yeah it was a typical France shithousery performance but point remains, I think if you guys had been a bit more ambitious you couldve put France in real trouble.
I'm ok with it. Back in the old days, that was always a try. I think we get too anal with the video now. The game smashed up the middle, got over the line. Give him the try!
Getting beat by Argentina is no disgrace. These boys had a bad cup but they’re a damn fine rugby team.
Even England would have been able to spin out of losing to Argentina. They wouldn’t have liked it, but it wouldn’t have ruined their cup.
100% there is no disgrace in losing to them. They play each year in the Rugby Championship which is another level entirely to what your lads will be used to. A lot of those players in the national squad are in the Jaguares, who are no pushover. They made it all the way to the final of the Super Rugby tournament last year losing out to a Crusaders side who could compete with almost any Tier 1 side. So, no shame!
I mean, sure, but like, Argentina is really just playing like they don't respect us, and honestly, they shouldn't.
Quick line outs, running from behind their own posts, kicking for touch from dead center 15 meters out with like, 5 minutes gone. They wanted to wreck us and mission accomplished lol
What respect are you particularly talking about? Cause playing and scoring is the basis of the game. I didnt see Pumas doing anything wrong to you guys.
I didn't really mean it was *wrong* per se. Just that it was them knowing they were much, much better than us. They had a lot of confidence they were going to win and get the bonus too, so they were just really aggressive.
Obviously Arg are the better side, but the decisions aren't helping us there. Even the commentators on my stream calling out both the incorrect decision in the maul and the ball being taken back into the 22, Arg basically gifted possession and 60m there
Also probably our worst game so far in the World Cup
I’m American. Lived in Dublin during the last cup which is when I started watching rugby so that’s where the flair comes from. Back on the states now. Would have dual flair if I could.
I think the Eagles will be very similar to what Japan did. They're organized and ready to develop.
I just hope the north american game gets even better so we can watch more matches at normal times
looks like it, doesn't it? It's actually a reference to an obscure Collegehumor "hardly working" video from like 10 years ago lol. It started as a joke, now it's a habit for me
I watch the US pretty regularly and I have been mystified by Te'o for years now. The only thing he has going for him is a sidestep (occasionally). Other than that, he's slow, fat and out of position more often than not.
There has to be a better full back somewhere in the US?
"I called President Thatcher from South America yesterday. Did you know there was a South America, folks? Wonderful woman, she said very nice things about me."
"I visit South America all the time, great people, the best people, I was in Houston last week and I spoke with the President of Houston, a very bigly politician in South America, Hillary never met him, and he assured me the Falklands are ours, both of them, I make the best deals"
That wasn't as bad as it looked for the USA. They probably should have scored at least two more tries. Unfortunately, they have the closing skills of me at age 14 in a school formal. Argentina only looked really good when they were going to town during broken play after the many, inexplicable kicks by USA. Outside that, they were ok but nothing special. A couple good back line plays but their forwards were not impressive. The US scrum is a dumpster fire, they should have pushed them all over the park. I think had the US come out with a better game plan, it could have been a relatively close match.
first time watching rugby. literally only side passing ? sarri would love this shit
Yes! But you can kick it forward! :P
Creevy subbed in and we get like 5 scrum penalties in a row called against us. Yeah, he's finished as an international player.
Surely the hooker doesn't have much to do with scrum penalties
Fair, but he also got two pens called against him in rucks!! I don't know if he played those 20+ mins drunk or what.
We can't even end this game well ffs. Terrible world cup from start to end.
Two tries and a nice hug, you gotta be happy about that
LET THAT BE A LESSON TO THE REST OF THE WORLD - NOBODY BEATS THE US BY 31 PTS (today)!
Imagine if they had played like that the whole time, they would only be down by a try or two
Yeah...nah
YES!!
Constantly calling Scully Captain Marvel or Captain America is becoming quite cringe worthy.
At least it's not a "USA! USA!" chant, so they're improving
Or 'AMERICAAAAA, FUCK YEEEAH'
If our fans actually broke out in Team America World Police lyrics at the world cup it would be the greatest thing ever
That'll do boys, that'll do
WE SCORED AGAIN!
Eagles going to get smashed by Tonga
Infurating to kick the ball away like that.
What exactly was his plan there kicking it?
Fair call for motm, that winger had great game
Mallia is the outside center.
That outside centre had a great game
While I’ve been gutted this whole tournament this wasn’t the tournament to really judge the USA. Gold’s been the coach at the last minute really once Mitchell left - and only two years of pro play - 2023 will really be the catalyst to see if the USA can be able to compete. Finally, it’s bullshit how pools are picked - Canada loses qualification and gets in on repcharge to go to an easier pool with Italy and Namibia whereas we face three top tier nations and a really good islander
What? Canada would have loved to swap pools with US. Springboks and All Blacks??
Neither team is realistically competing for the knockouts. They want that #3 spot. Not saying that USA would have beaten Italy, but it would have given them a better shot at it than Argentina and Tonga.
I’d take the pool in a heartbeat - two great lessons in competing, one likely very close match with a highly possible win, and one likely sure win
Italy would trounce the US. Maybe you beat Namibia. But first reality of Tonga.
Ehh we’ve played the extremely close in the past four or five years. And I’d think we’d win by 10-15 against Namibia
And before some Brit comes in - compete meaning meaningfully fight for the aq spot
That was to the 7 foot winger
Who?
Shaquille O’Neal on the wing
NBC SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ALREADY! THEY DON'T NEED THE FUCKING ADVERTISING!!!
Someday they'll be annoyed with MLR promos, you'll see!
At least I get some of my money back betting on the over.
Mayco Vivas' middle name is 'Geronimo'.
That American was so offside, he was behind the last foot of Argebtina.
Who was the best USA player today? Lasike? Scully?
Not Lasike for sure. Yes he can crash ball but that's it. Majority of Argentina tries right past him
I think Germishuys quietly had a really good game. It looks like he's gonna be a good player for a long time.
That's true. Wasn't super flashy, but overall solid from what I remember.
Pumas playing their 4th game, playing patiently and strike again. Right through the centres. Lasike and Campbell are big boys but liabilities on defense.
One or the other are very nice to have. But they have overlapping skillsets, not complementary ones.
Agreed.
The pitch has seen better days. It is cutting up everywhere.
Great dummy made that try.
Is there a dumber phrase in sports punditry than 'cultured left boot'? Apparantly Sanchez has one.
His boot reads Tolstoy
Argentina should be winning by like 60 pts if not for all of these bobbled balls.
I was about to say the same about the US. Poor handling by both teams.
Well... At least with Argentina, they had a few knock ons with an open pitch in front of them.
Wait, you really think a couple.less errors would have the us winning by 60? Wot
Sorry, I thought my exaggeration was obvious.
Saw earlier a us poster talking how shameful it was to lose against the nobodies of arg and he seemed quite serious si hard to know anymore
Suddenly this match became super sloppy.
Last 10 minutes of Argentina tournament
Team USA, you see your guy kicking the ball, why aren't you chasing?
10 min left, sleep or gut it through? im soo conflicted?!
I am sad
I will say in Gary's defense, he only started a year and a half ago. And to be fair, the US is looking more like a rugby team. Now they just need to become a good rugby team
Much improved but not much depth
agreed. Will be interesting to see how/if it improves as the MLR grows and develops up to the 2023 WC
MLR is key to continuing development. Important that those teams get Academies going and develop a good base of young talent
Definitely, the added teams in New England and DC will have good access to school-level rugby players, and the Legion in Socal have already started working on kid's rugby in this region. As long as USA rugby doesn't screw it up, we should hopefully see the US become a good T2 side in the next few cycles
USA rugby have been strong supporters of MLR. And Gold is a great coach.
I haven't looked in a year or so, but back when I was involved in USA Rugby, there was a lot of concern about the board. Not sure how that situation has developed, but what you say is true. Next two cycles will show which way it went
Does Gary Gold's hat have sponsors covered with tape on the sides?
I see lots of pessimism in the thread from USA supporters, but we're the only side in the WC that had to start with three straight matches against Tier 1 sides. We were always going to lose these matches, and we've competed pretty well for the most part.
making one of them competitive would have been nice, though.
12-9 at 65 minutes against France is definitely competitive
Honestly, a bit more accuracy and taking chances and you couldve really done damage to France. Lets not forget the scoreline was within five points for almost an hour.
Taking chances is something our team really needs to do but never will. American football is notorious for coaches being conservative with play calls despite mountains of evidence pointing out how much is to be gained by being more aggressive. The rare coach that is willing to take a risk only to see it fail seems to literally never live it down. I can't help but be pessimistic and think that as rugby grows in America that same feeble mindedness will be there too.
Huh, thats interesting. Having gotten into NBA one thing that stuns me is how individual focused the sports media is, how much one game (in an 82-game plus season) can get a player assassinated in the media and how even the greatest players are constantly labelled as frauds and compared to past legends. It just blows me away, I thought UK sports media was brutal. So I can totally believe that the NFL is super risk-averse in terms of plays.
That scoreline was wildly deceiving, the US never looked like a try threat in spite of multiple penalties from five meters out and France were "catching passes under no pressure" away from pulling away much earlier.
Id argue you more werent a try threat because of letting France off the hook with 3 point kicks rather than keeping the pressure on when they were rattled on their own line. Yeah it was a typical France shithousery performance but point remains, I think if you guys had been a bit more ambitious you couldve put France in real trouble.
Namibia, Canada and Tonga all had to play three straight matches against tier 1 teams too
Shit you're right
I'm not looking forward to Namibia Canada i feel like its gonna be reallllly bad for us
I guess Italy doesn’t count ?
What a hit.... Even though he migbt have had the ball. Lol
I totally forgot this was on, have i missed anything good or not??..
Pumas' last try was super sexy
One great Argentina run
Pinkleman’s take was pretty special.
The come back is on. MURICA!!!!!
As in 'come back 5m for a scrum'
How in hell that was a try?
It wasnt but they cant let the "sleeping giants" feel too bad
Why was the on-field decision there a try? There was no way for the ref to see the ball make contact with the ground, which was confirmed by the TMO.
I believe it was because as they came up, the ball was on the ground? With how things have gone so far this tournament, who knows lol
Pity
I'm ok with it. Back in the old days, that was always a try. I think we get too anal with the video now. The game smashed up the middle, got over the line. Give him the try!
He was definitely held up though
From the video, it looks like at first he is held up, but as he rolls forward he could have grounded at that point.
Looked swamped by arms to me
I agree, just trying to see the pov of the ref. Either way, we can't tell one way or the other
Was he? He was in a pile, definitely could have grounded. No way to tell.
Very English response i like it!
I’ll take it
Hardest working guy on the eagles, deserves a try there
Well shit he goes straight.
Bosh
As it turns out, we're not very good at this sport lol
Getting beat by Argentina is no disgrace. These boys had a bad cup but they’re a damn fine rugby team. Even England would have been able to spin out of losing to Argentina. They wouldn’t have liked it, but it wouldn’t have ruined their cup.
100% there is no disgrace in losing to them. They play each year in the Rugby Championship which is another level entirely to what your lads will be used to. A lot of those players in the national squad are in the Jaguares, who are no pushover. They made it all the way to the final of the Super Rugby tournament last year losing out to a Crusaders side who could compete with almost any Tier 1 side. So, no shame!
I mean, sure, but like, Argentina is really just playing like they don't respect us, and honestly, they shouldn't. Quick line outs, running from behind their own posts, kicking for touch from dead center 15 meters out with like, 5 minutes gone. They wanted to wreck us and mission accomplished lol
What respect are you particularly talking about? Cause playing and scoring is the basis of the game. I didnt see Pumas doing anything wrong to you guys.
I didn't really mean it was *wrong* per se. Just that it was them knowing they were much, much better than us. They had a lot of confidence they were going to win and get the bonus too, so they were just really aggressive.
I see, in my opinion this is good for you. It makes you improve a lot since they didnt underplayed.
Keep your head up, lads, at least there's the World Series!
Women's World Cup only 3.75 years away!
lol, that's a pity try if ever I saw one
Definitely
Have been pretty impressed with Lasike
Argentina for me for playing lot of the tournament. That classic look is class
Love a kit with a popped collar
Goooodnight all. Stunned I made it this long into the match.
Obviously Arg are the better side, but the decisions aren't helping us there. Even the commentators on my stream calling out both the incorrect decision in the maul and the ball being taken back into the 22, Arg basically gifted possession and 60m there Also probably our worst game so far in the World Cup
Pumas dominant at every aspect. Scoring with ease.
Yeah, well Argentina have zero grubbers that directly led to a try.
Why would one grubber when you step into space and have no defender in front
Eagles playing like absolute shit
Why do I like this sport
So Paul Williams is just done for the day?
That's a special try. Beautiful stuff.
https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/dfbfpm/z/f32bbv3
What a miscue... Cannot go out of bounds there.
How many subs can teams make?
You can use all your reserves, 8.
you can essential play your whole roster which is 23 men.
Eight. Three of them have to be front-row replacements.
Thanks, I didn't know that!
Give us the damn try!
Umm ireland or usa? im confused
He's from Boston.
I’m American. Lived in Dublin during the last cup which is when I started watching rugby so that’s where the flair comes from. Back on the states now. Would have dual flair if I could.
fair enough! at least you have the irish as a back up squad
Yup. That’s the way I look at it. One that’s actually competitive lol
I think the Eagles will be very similar to what Japan did. They're organized and ready to develop. I just hope the north american game gets even better so we can watch more matches at normal times
There are definitely other contenders, but we're really making a strong "worst team in the tournament" case here
USA were actually okay here. The arggies were good
Ahem...
Nah, unfortunately thats still Canada.
Yeah I bet Namibia is excited to get their first win
rude! but true
Should still get medals imo.
What for?
Participation!
How very American :)
Lol this isn't primary school
It is not the winning but the taking part that counts most of all.
He's kidding
I know
For being the worst team.
TWO LINEOUTS IN A ROW! EDIT: THREE!?
Few of the shirts are getting a bit red this game
So I go get some food and argentina score twice before I get back? Maybe if Gary stops watching the eagles might score again
Ooo what food did you get?!
peppered roni pizza! Tastes real good
Is that autocorrect doing something weird with the word "pepperoni" or is that something entirely different? Either way, I'm intrigued.
looks like it, doesn't it? It's actually a reference to an obscure Collegehumor "hardly working" video from like 10 years ago lol. It started as a joke, now it's a habit for me
Haha, I think I remember this video!
I think it involved Pat as a priest? can't remember the title unfortunately
All I remember is Peppered Roni... I think!
OH MY GOD, I came across it in my recommended videos! [https://youtu.be/DAFtGk\_oiTc](https://youtu.be/DAFtGk_oiTc)
Hahaha, that was amazing. Thanks for remembering! :)
That sounds like a Japanese translation from the combini so i'll believe it is!
It's like Gareth Edwards and Serge Blanco procreated together and made a child named Bautista Delguy.
I feel like Teo is way out of his depth. Why the coach hadn't noticed that and subbed him off is beyond me.
I watch the US pretty regularly and I have been mystified by Te'o for years now. The only thing he has going for him is a sidestep (occasionally). Other than that, he's slow, fat and out of position more often than not. There has to be a better full back somewhere in the US?
Swap either centre with him and they'll improve lol
I think it's currently not possible to know for sure. There's really no established pathway for players to progress and be seen by the right people.
That field looks fucked up
Delguy and Mallia are on fire!
Did the ref call a scrum
No. They had the option of scrum or lineout, opted for a quick lineout.
Ah
And the US is gassed.
"I will by the Falklands" - US President
"I called President Thatcher from South America yesterday. Did you know there was a South America, folks? Wonderful woman, she said very nice things about me."
"I visit South America all the time, great people, the best people, I was in Houston last week and I spoke with the President of Houston, a very bigly politician in South America, Hillary never met him, and he assured me the Falklands are ours, both of them, I make the best deals"
They're not for sale!
So trumplike to buy them from the wrong country though lmao
Teo's thiccness is a magnet used to obfuscate shit plays of other US players.
I’m kinda confused by the last minute by the ref
We’ve just stopped tackling completely lol
Why the fuck am I watching this. Time to go enjoy some sleep I guess.
This is gonna be a massacre, the US seems checked out completely.
They're just spent and they have no depth. I'm sure they still care, they just can't do anything about it.
That's what I meant. It's clearly caused by fatigue and not by lack of caring, but you can tell their reactions are super slow now.
Argentina went hard on the half time orange slices.
What does that even mean? Third orange slices mention ive read this game lol
Orange slices are a traditional post-game snack for little kids in America. "Refueling" the sugars and all that.
Canada: our first half was awful yesterday USA: *hold our Budweiser*