The performance of the U.S. Eagles in the 2007 Rugby World Cup is a reward to all involved with the team and justifies all the money and effort spent of improving the standard of the National team.

The results may not have been that much better than previous years on a "for and against" basis, but the level of competition the American team gave to their opposition was serious. The hold Tonga to a 10-point difference and Samoa to just four points ahead at the final whistle was a credible performance.

The try of the Tournament came from U.S. winger Takudzwa Ngwenya, from Zimbabwe now living in America. His feign to the inside to then be able to run around and out sprint the IRB Player of the Year, Springbok winger Bryan Habana will live in the memories of all who saw the game at the ground or on TV. A clip showing the try can be seen from the following web site: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWtBTvCDjX4

Takudzwa should have no trouble in obtaining a good contract from a European club and is now considering offers from two English clubs.

Another stand out performer was the flanker Thretton Palamo who made the record books as the youngest player at the tournament, celebrating his 19th birthday during the fixtures.

Coach Peter Thorburn made the point after the Pool rounds that all the largely amateur U.S. team needed looking ahead to 2011 is a few players getting the experience of playing in a tougher competition such as the Super 14 or European League through to the Heineken Cup.

The Pool matches for the U.S. side were tough and that in hindsight is what should have been expected when in a Pool with the eventual two finalists – England and South Africa.

Against England the Eagles held the 2003 World Cup champions to a 28-10 scoreline and made the English team work hard for the entire 80 minutes. Considering the Springboks beat the English by 36-0 the performance of the Eagles is even more credible.

American Rugby can look forward to further rebuilding and skills experience for a better 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Along with the now middle teams like Canada, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga the Eagles are showing the once "minnows" can make it a step higher and give the big boys a fright.