• It wasn't easy. In August '98, an Eagles team struggling to find form and overcome injuries faced three internationals in eight days on foreign soil with a World Cup berth at stake. Eventually the determined squad prevailed to join the first group of nations to qualify for RWC '99. Here's a glimpse of the action from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Lock Bob LeClerc secures line out ball for the US against Uruguay, a game the Eagles dominated, but won only 21-16.

Up-and-coming US scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell finds Luke Gross, Dave Hodges, and Bob LeClerc in close support against Uruguay, the victory that clinched a World Cup berth for the USA.

Eagle lock Cliff Vogl appeals to the referee as the US maul works against Argentina. A mistake-filled performance by the US made life easy for the Pumas, who won the match 52-24.

Life College's Britt Howard, who joined the Eagles in late '98, looks for runners in the Argentina match. Lock Cliff Vogl and prop John McBride are shown in the background.

Props George Sucher and John McBride (obscured) clean out the defense as the US recycles the ball against Uruguay. Despite much good build-up work of this type, the US had difficulty finishing against the Teros and were held to two tries in the game.

Lock Luke Gross looks to disrupt the Argentinean line-out. The Pumas always led the opening game of the qualifiers series against the US, and added three late tries to pad the scoreline.

The Eagles face the famous Puma scrum. Argentina's forwards proved worthy of their scrummaging reputation in the Buenos Aires tournament-Canada tried packing down with three props in the front row to counter the Puma power, but to no avail.

• Action from the 1998 Canterbury of New Zealand Pacific Rim Rugby Championship.

Alatini Saulala takes three Hong Kong defenders into a tackle. The 215-pound center, who first played for the US in last year's Pacific Rim series, was back for another crack at Hong Kong in '98.

Flanker Jason Walker attacks Japan's fringe defense. The Aspen captain proved an impact player for the Eagles pack throughout the Pacific Rim series, notching a try against Hong Kong on the road.

Scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell, shown here on one of his signature darting runs, memorialized his start against Japan in San Francisco with a try in the first half.

Off to a running start in 1998 with strong games in Spain and Portugal, lock Alec Parker moved from strength to strength in the early summer. Here he staves off a Dragon tackle.

Called into the test team for the first time during the Eagles' homestand, flanker Tasi Mounga shrugged off a niggling ankle injury to play in all three games.

Parker missed most of 1997 due to injury, but has burst back onto the scene in 1998. His range and pace saw him spend time on the flank as well.

Wing Malakai Tabuvuya returned to the US starting lineup against Japan in San Francisco and showed off his 7s pedigree by leaving the Cherry Blossom defense flat-footed on more than one occasion.

High-scoring wing Vaea Anitoni moved into flyhalf for part of the Pacific Rim series, giving the team some more attacking options. Here he gets behind the Japanese defense.

Wing CD LaBounty saw international action for the first time against Canada and Japan. He quickly got used to playing with the big boys--this cut infield required two defenders to bring down the 200-pound winger.

Fullback Andre Blom adds some genuine pace to the Eagles deep three, using it here to leave three Hong Kong defenders standing. The Denver Barbarian dented defenses in Hong Kong and Vancouver for tries earlier in the series.

• This past April saw the first-ever test match between the USA and Portugal, which the Eagles won 61-5. It was one of three emphatic victories on the quick Iberian tour as the USA beat a Portuguese Developmental XV 50-7 and turned back Spain 49-3.

Number 8 Robbie Lumkong proved he has regained his international form during the tour, after injury interrupted his international career in 1997. He was rewarded with a try against Spain.

Center Alatini Saulala was part of a US backline that feasted on its Portuguese counterparts. Saulala scored the first try of the match, but was overshadowed by wing Vaea Anitoni's four scores. Center Mark Scharrenberg and wing Dan Kennedy also got into the action.

• Simply put, Hong Kong means the world's premiere 7s tournament. It means facing some of the best teams in the game. It means 45,000 raucous rugby fans.
  The 7s team went 1-3 this year including two tough losses to Korea--one an overtime defeat in the Plate round, which the Koreans went on to win easily after the 24-19 nailbiter with the US. The photo action comes from a win over Singapore and a loss to powerful New Zealand.

The US prepares for a scrum against Singapore.

Malakai Tabuvuya and Eric Tuipolotu punish a Singaporean ballcarrier.

Wing Tuipolotu has a tougher time with this New Zealand foe.

Center Tabuvuya outwits two Korean defenders.

Rich Matiszik stands strong in the tackle.

Tuipolotu and Tabuvuya combine again in the Singapore win.

Prop Willie Mahoney on the loose.

The US team readies for battle as manager John Tyler looks on.

The Eagle defense grounds this All Black carrier.

© USA National Rugby Team
Scott Compton
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