I just got back.
I have a lot of photos of the US/Japan game - plus many others.
I will do a report on the US game later - but just a few things;
The Cook Islands have heaps of potential, but they need a good coach to teach them the basics (ball security and defensive line both need a lot of work).
The Cheery blossoms are at about the level the US were three years ago.
The US team included Costin (former Canberra firstgrader), Lanfranchi (regular Qld cup player), Alf Duncan (Newtown regular for many years), and Ian Blake as captain (Texan who could well make the Broncos side this year).
Fiji and NZ Maori played a game of about Premier League standard in slippery conditions due to heavy rain falling at times - but I have seen worse firstgrade games.
Cook Islands are playing probably just above JB Cup standard - USA probably just on or slightly below JB Cup standard - and the Cherry Blossoms about Lower Hunter second division standard. The old boys games were just bullsh*t - and the crowd is well over them after last year. Last year they got cheers, this year they were ignored, next year they will get booed if they bother to blunder around the field again.
On the first day of the sevens - Lebanon looked awesome, Fiji Bati and Malta were not far behind, with probably South Sydney and the Titans as the next best teams in the comp.
