For a change the majority of the matches in Port
Elizabeth were a joy to watch. The Eagle 7’s looked collectively determined to
move forward with pace, intensity, and the will to win in almost every match (with
one possible exception). Defensively, especially
in the tackling the Eagles recaptured a bit of the bone-jarring initiative they
had been known for, and they gave (almost) every team they played a tough go of
it. Watching the Eagles win the plate over the Fijian machine was a transcendent
experience. However, three of the Eagle 7’s matches showed that the team has
three glaring deficiencies. But, if they will make these three weaknesses into
strengths and maintain what they found in Port Elizabeth, I believe there is
not one team in the world that the Eagle 7’s can’t beat.
Two matches (vs.South Africa, and New Zealand) showed two
of the most troublesome problems: The first problem is the sluggish/ apathetic support
at the breakdown, offensively and defensively. It might be a bit trite to say, but possession
is nine-tenths of a rugby game. Too often, the ruck to retain ball possession came
too late. This stems in part from the
second problem: no immediate support player following the player with ball in
hand. I am a big fan of Jonah Lomu. He was a lightning-fast, wrecking-ball of a
rugby player that often created tries from nothing. Thousands of fans came to
know the game of rugby because of Jonah Lomu. However, ask most Jonah Lomu fans
to name another All Black on the team and they will say “Josh Kronfeld”. Josh
Kronfeld seemed to always magically appear on the open side of wherever Jonah was
being tackled. Josh Kronfeld scored a lot of tries by doggedly following Jonah
Lomu. The Eagle 7’s needs to become a team of Josh Kronfelds in their running and
rucking support.
The third weakness,
and perhaps the most troubling, was demonstrated in the match against Scotland.
The Eagles seemed to fall into the old rut of playing at the level of their
opposition. It was arguably their worst game of the tournament. I know, I can
hear the rebuttal comments as I write this, “… but they won!?” Yes, they won
the match, but it seems to be an old habit with the Eagles to settle for a
mediocre win, rather than stretching and testing their boundaries as a team
unit when there isn't as much pressure. They need to always be the side that’s
setting the pace of the match, pushing the game faster and harder. But there is
good news on this front: Coach Mike Friday seems to have his finger firmly on
the pulse of this team.
In a relatively short time we have seen what a confident
and competent coach can coax from a team that has talent and a willingness to
work. Coach Friday’s comments between halves of the matches were right on, and
exactly what the Eagles needed to know to change the outcome of the game. Mike
Friday’s vision and direction for the team will ameliorate much of the weakness
this team currently shows. As an American rugby coach/player/fan, it’s
absolutely exciting to see the change in the team and hear the change of tone
from the commentators. They and the whole world may just see this Eagles team
take flight.
Port Elizabeth Tries:
Durutalo: Fiji 1,
Isles: Wales 1, Kenya
1, NZ 1, Scotland 2, Fiji 1,
Baker: Wales 1, Fiji 1,
Hughes: Wales 1, Kenya
1, Scotland 1,
Iosefo: Scotland 1,
Barrett: Wales 1, Kenya
1,
Test: Kenya 1,
Unufe: Wales 1, Kenya
1,
Niua: Wales 1,
