The Eagles laid a great big egg against South Africa last time out, which has kept them pointless through three games in the Rugby World Cup. The Americans have one more shot to avoid leaving England pointless when they face Japan in their final Pool B test match. However, the Brave Blossoms – the proud conquerors of South Africa – are still in with a shout of the knockout stage, and will be out to keep the Eagles winless in this tournament.
Read on for our preview of the Americans’ final Rugby World Cup match. Meanwhile, get ready for host England’s final pool match with our preview of England vs. Uruguay.
Eagles coach Mike Tolkin knew what he was doing when he sat 12 starters against South Africa, and he got the predictable result. The much-weakened American team was shown no mercy by the Springboks, who rolled to an easy 64-0 win. The US has now lost all three of its Rugby World Cup games, and has been outscored 128-32.
[sc:Other240banner ]Of course, Tolkin sat out majority of his key players in order to give them sufficient rest ahead of their clash against Japan. Apart from Samoa, the matchup against the Brave Blossoms figured to be the Americans’ best shot of leaving England with any points.
With a full-strength Eagles team set to accompany terrific No. 8 Samu Manoa in the starting XV, the Americans can definitely give the Japanese a run for their money. They showed exactly that when they beat the Brave Blossoms, 23-18, last July in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Fly-half AJ MacGinty, who will be well-rested after sitting out against South Africa, was the star as he struck six penalties against Japan. It was the Eagles’ first win over the Japanese since 2003.
Betting on Japan
Whatever happens from here on out, the 2015 Rugby World Cup will go down in Japanese history as the country’s most successful ever campaign in the tournament.
It all began with the Brave Blossoms’ earth-shattering 34-32 upset over South Africa, which sent a message to the rest of the world that they meant business. And after a 45-10 letdown against Scotland, (which, it must be noted, came just four days after their South Africa match) the Japanese handled Samoa, 26-5, last Saturday.
It marks the first time Japan has ever won more than two games in a single Rugby World Cup. Not only that, but if Samoa somehow shocks Scotland and Japan takes care of business against the USA, Japan will go through to the knockout stage for the very first time.
That possibility alone should give the Japanese all the motivation to hand the Americans another defeat. The Brave Blossoms, who will be well-rested after over a week off since their last match, hold the edge in terms of overall head-to-heads against the Eagles, with 13 wins in 22 test matches.
Writer’s Prediction
Japan does its end of the bargain by beating the USA, 33-13. Create a betting account now and cash in on all the top Rugby World Cup action as it heads to the knockout stage.
