For a solid ten minutes to start the second half a fire alarm could be heard ringing throughout BMO Field as the U.S. took on Tonga in their third match of the Pacific Nations Cup. Too bad that alarm didn't come at the beginning of the match to warn everyone involved about the error strewn and poorly played match that would unfold with Tonga eventually winning 33-19.
While it would have been nice for the Eagles to pick up a win over Tonga having made a number of changes in the line-up the task it was always going to be difficult. However, with spots on the World Cup roster on the line few would have expected most of the Eagles to come out completely flat, miss tackles, throw poor passes, struggle to catch them when they were thrown correctly, struggle in the lineout, and generally miss the level of energy needed to put their hand up for a spot in England.
The Eagles did gain a couple of tries from Andrew Durutalo toward the end of the match where they began to play better but until a number of substitutes came on late in the match the Eagles struggled with all the basic elements of the game. It would be easy to forget this match but it will serve as a warning sign for Mike Tolkin and the rest of the Eagles coaching staff that some players may not be able to be trusted at the World Cup.
Take the jump to read more.
The warning signs were there early in the match that it would be difficult on the eyes. After earning a penalty Toby L'Estrange's kick didn't find touch but instead found the try zone allowing Tonga to set up shop in decent field position. It didn't happen right away but by allowing Tonga to get the ball back it was only a matter of time before the U.S. eventually gave up the first score of the match. After a penalty Kurt Morath put in a nice cross field kick to Fetu'u Vainikolo who easy broke through at least three poor tackles to stroll in for the opening score. With five minutes gone the Eagles trailed 7-0.
The U.S. were able to cut the lead in the 13th minute when Folau Niua, who generally good on his kicking on the day, made his first penalty attempt. However, almost immediately poor discipline allowed Morath to gain those points back. Throughout the first half, and most of the match really, the Eagles will out of sorts defensively and on set plays. Discipline was also an issue leading to even more points when Morath making two more penalties before the half to push the score to 16-3.
The first half could have been even worse for the Eagles had Morath been able to connect on another penalty and had they not also been poor. Like the U.S., Tonga made mistake after mistake as both teams couldn't get themselves going on offense.
Those hoping for a better second half were disappointed as three knock-ons just seconds apart meant that fans were in for much of the same sloppy play. From that sloppy play the U.S. did finally get something positive going as Niua kicked a loose ball down the field. He wasn't able to recover but he was there to force the turnover. With his easy penalty the Eagles trailed 16-6.
Unfortunately it wouldn't get much better for the Eagles over the next ten minutes. A number of substitutions helped but off a lineout flanker Jack Ram was able to evade a number of tackles before passing to Telusa Veainu for the try. Morath would add another penalty a few minutes later and cancelled out by a Niua effort and with twenty minutes to go Tonga led 26-9.
Niua would have another shot at goal but his kicked bounced off the upright. Still, the Eagles began to create more chances as substitutes like Mike Petri and Eric Fry entered the match. Petri in particular did well to give the team some spark in the second half when they needed it the most. Any chance of a U.S. comeback faded in the 63rd minute when after a U.S. turnover Tonga made a few quick and simple passes out wide where Vainikolo would score his second of the day.
The Eagles really seemed to come alive (well, at least not dead) in the final ten minutes. Like against Japan they weren't to the maul when they found themselves in an attacking position. Eventually that would lead to Andrew Durutalo scoring and the score being pushed to 33-14. Durutalo would add another try in the dying moments of the match to make the final 33-19.
Again, while the result would have been nice the Eagles really wanted to get a look at players that could contribute at the World Cup. Of the players that started today only a few, like Zack Test and at times Al McFarland, did anything to help their case. For players like Chris Baumann and Toby L'Estrange they probably saw their stock go down.
The good news for the Eagles is that they have a short turnaround with the team likely to play Canada next Monday in Vancouver. That will give them a chance to return several starters to the line-up and to put this match behind them.
U.S.
Tries: Durutalo (2)
Penalties: Niua (3)
Tonga
Tries: Vainikolo (2), Veainu
Conversions: Morath (2)
Penalties: Morath (4)