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The USA Eagles overcame Hong Kong China in a dramatic 28-26 victory at the Stade Marcel-Verchère in Bourg-en-Bresse France, but Scott Lawrence’s side will know that greater accuracy is required if they are to build on their unbeaten Nations Cup campaign.
Dominant in the physical exchanges and increasingly effective at the breakdown, the Eagles demonstrated just how dangerous they can be when their powerful forward pack establishes momentum.
Yet for all their superiority, the Americans needed a late try from replacement hooker Kaleb Geiger and a superb touchline conversion from Chris Hilsenbeck to overcome a determined Hong Kong China outfit.
The statistics tell an interesting story. The Eagles finished with a 97% ruck efficiency rate, carried for 371 metres, beat 25 defenders and produced 11 offloads. This stats were clearly reflected by the eye test with Scott Lawrence’s side making solid ground when keeping play tight only to see opportunities slip by with untimely errors.
The afternoon began frustratingly for the Eagles when a charged-down kick allowed Marcus Ramage to open the scoring for Hong Kong China.
Responding positively, the Eagles established control through their forwards, with props Payton Telea-Ilalio and Tonga Kofe particularly influential in the tight exchanges. A patient series of carries created the platform for the USA’s opening try by the exceptional Perry Mayo who finished off a sharp play which saw the ball move through hand superbly.
This was quickly followed by a try from influential number eight Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz powered over from a well-executed driving maul. It was a glimpse of the attacking formula that would ultimately secure victory.
With their forwards consistently winning the gain-line, the Eagles appeared poised to take control. However, a series of missed opportunities allowed Hong Kong China to remain within striking distance.
Hooker Shilo Klein was held up over the line before an unnecessarily complicated lineout sequence cost the Americans possession. Moments later, Hong Kong China backrow Jack Bartlett capitalised on some passive defence at the breakdown to power through the cover defence in a try that was firmly against the run of play.
Despite enjoying 62% possession and 69% territory during the opening 40 minutes, the Eagles entered halftime trailing 17-14.
The second half began promisingly as Rufus McLean’s aggressive kick chase forced an error from the kick-off, with Hong Kong China captain Joshua Hrstich subsequently shown a yellow card moments later for a high tackle.
Still, the Americans struggled to turn their advantage into points. Benjamin Bonasso produced an excellent attacking break, only for possession to be lost when Chris Hilsenbeck was stripped in contact.
Hong Kong China, meanwhile, continued to make the most of their opportunities. Nathan De Thierry extended the advantage from the kicking tee before the Eagles returned to their most effective attacking weapon. A dominant forward surge forced a penalty try, temporarily restoring the American lead. However, further penalties handed Hong Kong China opportunities to respond, with Dylan McCann converting two kicks to establish a five-point advantage entering the final ten minutes.
For Lawrence, the encouraging aspect will be that the Eagles consistently demonstrated an ability to physically overwhelm their opponents. Their breakdown efficiency provided a reliable attacking platform, while their carrying power repeatedly forced Hong Kong China onto the defensive.
Coming into the window without the experience of Ruben de Haas, Luke Carty and AJ MacGinty, the Eagles were shorn of experience in the half-backs. The big work on now for the combination of Oscar Lennon and Chris Hilsenbeck will be when to pull the trigger to wide and when to keep things tight and direct.
To their credit, with time running out, the Eagles went to what had served them well A sustained forward assault culminated in Geiger forcing his way over from a disrupted driving maul, drawing the sides level.
Standing tall, Hilsenbeck then calmly slotted the touchline conversion to establish a two-point lead with three minutes remaining. Hong Kong China launched one final assault, but a crucial intervention from NFL convert Cassh Maluia and an overtime interception from Bonasso secured the victory.
With 58 players utilised across recent international windows, developing cohesion remains an ongoing process for Lawrence’s squad. There is undeniable potential within this Eagles side, particularly when their forwards establish control and their attacking structure operates with patience. In the absence of key players namely Jack Iscaro and David Ainu’u, the Eagles have unearthed much needed depth a year out from the World Cup.
Next up is a meeting with Romania in Bucharest before the Eagles travel to Tbilisi to face Georgia, two challenging fixtures that will demand greater accuracy and composure.
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