Mike Tolkin

Tolkin was announced as head coach of the United States national rugby team on February 15, 2012. Tolkin set out with the stated aim of qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Americas 1, and progressing out of the Pool Stages. Tolkin stated that, at the time of his hiring, he and the USA Rugby Board of Directors agreed the following goals:

• Create a positive squad culture and attitude among the Eagles,
• Create an excitement about following the Eagles,
• Move up in IRB Rankings (ranked 18th at the time), and start to beat higher-ranked teams,
• Create greater depth in the program,
• Turn the scrum into a solid attacking platform,
• Defeat Canada 3/4 times we play them, and
• Qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[10]

Tolkin's first game in charge was against Canada in Kingston, Ontario. The United States failed to win this match, losing 28–25, though went on to defeat Georgia a week later.[11] Discipline was a massive issue at the start of Tolkin's tenure, conceding 1 yellow card and 2 red cards in his opening three tests, with the 2 red cards being issued during the USA's 30–10 defeat to Italy in Houston.[12]

In 2013, the United States, along with Canada, joined the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, which would see the two sides compete regularly against Pacific Islanders opposition.[13] The U.S. debut in the tournament came on May 25, 2013 against Canada, which saw Canada claim a 16–9 victory.[14] Despite this, the Eagles pushed a strong Irish team the following week, losing 15–12.[15] USA failed to claim any win during the 2013 PNC, finishing last which just 1 bonus point win. In August 2015, the United States lost on aggregate 40–20 to Canada to fail to qualify for the World Cup as Americas 1. However, in March 2014, Tolkin guided the States to an aggregate score of 59–40 over Uruguay to qualify for the World Cup.[16]

On June 21, 2014, Tolkin guided the States to their first victory over Canada since 2009, winning 38–35, which saw the States finish second in the Asia/Pacific 2014 PNC conference. Later that year, in front of a sold out Soldier Field, USA lost 74–6 to the All Blacks, the first test between the nations in America since 1913.[17]

Then on September 5, 2015, the States played the Wallabies at the same venue, going down 47–10, though the half time score was 14–10 to Australia.[18]

Though the U.S. did qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Tolkin failed to achieve a win in the tournament, losing to Samoa 25–16, Scotland 39–16, Japan 28–18 and South Africa 64–0, which saw the States finished last in their group.