Watch: Maori All Blacks triumph as USA Eagles suffer

In terms of theatre, it peaked with the haka. The rugby followed a path that was a trifle predictable in that the US were hanging on early and could only keep their tenuous grip until halftime. It was never going to be any other way. Not because the US continue to be the giant that won't awake, but because they were shafted by the all-powerful European clubs who refused to release any of the Eagles' best talent.