usrugbynz.com sat down again with the legendary Salty Thomspon, current USA All-American High School and former U19, U20 coach. He’s fresh off a successful age grade tour of South Africa. The High School All-Americans would put up a 3-1 record during their trip. So, Salty gave us a quick recap:
usrugbynz.com: Salty, Congratulations on a successful HSAA tour in South Africa, despite some early hiccups, the boys seemed to do very well and your stern discipline has always been a major factor in shaping these young men into the rugby players they are today. As we look to the future success of age grade players, what kind of guidance and coaching do players have to look forward to as they move on past high shcool?
Salty: The USA Age Grade program had some outstanding coaches through its history including current Trinity College Head Coach Tony Smeeth and Glendale Raptors Coach Mark Bullock, assisted by current Eagles assistant Mike Tolkin. In fact Tolkin coached current captain Todd Clever when he played for the USA u19s in the 2002 World Juniors in Italy.
usrugbynz.com: Which other current Eagles XV players came up in the age grade program besides Todd Clever?
Salty: Vice captain Mike Petri and Inaki Basauri played in the 2003 World Juniors in Paris, Eric Fry in 2004 Durban, South Africa, James Paterson played in the 2005 World Juniors, also in Durban, then captained the team in Dubai in 2006 when Scott Lavalla made his debut and broke his neck against Uruguay.
Scott Lavalla and Shawn Pittman played age grade for three years, playing about a dozen internationals between the 2007 World Juniors in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and 2008 1st u20 World Juniors in Wales. That team also included 7s internationals Zack Test and Taylor Mokate. Also Nate Ebner and Thretton Palamo were in the 2008 u20s, now playing college D1 football for Ohio State and Utah respectively. Thretton was the youngest player in the last World Cup making his Eagles debut at 18.
usrugbynz.com: You had the chance to coach many of these remarkable players, even locally in Tempe, correct?
Salty: Correct. Former Tempe Old Devil, Tai Enosa, was the star of the 2009 World Trophy in Kenya, where the USA lost the final to Romania. Following that Tai shot into the Eagles 7s and 15s and has been in the squad for the past three years, and he’s still only 21 years old.
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By: Dallen Stanford
BOULDER, Colo. -– Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has selected his squad of 30 players that will represent the United States at the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in New Zealand next month.
The Eagles will compete in Pool C at the RWC, taking on Australia, Ireland, Italy and Russia in pool play. NBC Universal has released their broadcast schedule of the tournament, which begins with the opening ceremony on September 9 and concludes with the RWC final on October 23. Visit Universal Sports for details: www.universalsports.com
”I think there is a sense of relief that we are now in a position to name the final squad of 30 for the RWC. It has been a thorough process and I belief that we have the best 30 players available to us heading into the RWC.
As expected we have had to make some very tough decisions to get to the final squad, but that is just reflection on the talent available to us,” said O’Sullivan.
Todd Clever will captain the squad, with 16 forwards and 14 backs making up the team. Mike Petri – who led the Eagles against Japan on Sunday night in Tokyo – has been named the vice-captain.
Selected in the front row are Mike MacDonald, Mate Moeakiola, Eric Fry and Shawn Pittman. Three hookers have been selected in Chris Biller, Phil Thiel and Brian McClenahan.
The lock specialists are John van der Giessen, Hayden Smith and Scott LaValla. The loose-forwards include: Inaki Basauri, Pat Danahy, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Louis Stanfill, along with Clever.
In the backline, Tim Usasz is at scrumhalf with Petri. Partnering them at flyhalf are Nese Malifa and Roland Suniula. The centers will be Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Junior Sifa and Andrew Suniula.
Out wide the wings are Colin Hawley, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson and Kevin Swiryn. Chris Wyles and Blaine Scully complete the squad as fullbacks.
”All eyes are now turned to RWC and our departure from the USA on September 1,” commented the Head Coach.
The squad will assemble in Santa Barbara on August 28 for their final preparations before flying to New Zealand on September 1.
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Universal Sports/Reuters
By: Kyle Jones
During a highly contested match at Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground, the USA Eagles took on the Japan National Team in Tokyo. As rain pelted the test field, the players took to their positions in a game that meant a great deal to both sides. Possibly more to the U.S. than any one, as this test match would provide them with considerable preparation against Italy on Sept. 27th.
A roster change of 8, signaled a much needed adjustment from previous matches, as well as a chance to rest the select few that are a shoe in for the RWC. For instance, Capt. Todd Clever, was put on the injured list in order to rest up, yet this match could have been much different with his expertise and knowledge of fellow Suntory teammates. Not to take away from an outstanding job Mike Petri did to lead his Eagles to a thrilling first half lead, a game in which Mike McDonald, racked up the most Caps in USA history (62).
The Eagles showed great defense and athleticism in the first half against Japan dispite the hazardous conditions. With rain coming down and a wet ball, drop passes and missteps were inevitable. Yet, it was USA that took step and used these conditions to their advantage. Kevin Swiryn, number 14, would pick up two intercepts to proved USA with a 14-8 lead, heading into the half. The Eagles clearly dominating the scrum and ball possession early on, yet flirting with disaster anytime a Japan winger gained possession.
As the weather began to clear up , the second half took off with the same fast pace as first half ended with. Coach Kirwan of Japan, was not kidding around when he said his team was going to be the most fit for the RWC. Japan seemed to take over ball possession putting the Eagles on a clear defensive, yet they came up with phenomenal blocks in the red zone despite the ensuing pressure. Midway through the second half, USA’s legs gave out, providing Japan with a lead stealing try. Not giving away anything, the Eagles continued to stop the onslaughts of Japanese offense, compounded by a Paul Emerick break away that could have been a game changer. However, he happened to step out of bounds, deflating the Eagle’s chances at a try, resulting in a quick turn around try for Japan, sealing the fate for the team in white.
A deathly resurgence in the last waning minutes by Tai Enosa, Scott Lavalla, and Shawn Pittman almost brought the Eagles back from nothing but a knock on would prevent a buzzer beater try they so desperately needed. Japan showing their endurance, physically out lasted the Eagles in the final minutes of the second half, holding them off any Eagle attack.
Such a sad sight to see, with the Eagles loosing three straight test matches before they head to the RWC, yet they provided a much better match up then what was presented against Canada. Their communication, kicks under pressure, and over all explosiveness really came to together during this game. The phases rugby seem to function much smoother and defense in the center showed great improvement. Despite the loss, this also gave the coaches an excellent opportunity to preview many of their younger players in an international setting before making their final selections. Look for the 30 select to be choosen for RWC duty this week.
Final: Japan 20 USA 14
Stay tuned for more results.
Photo Credit: Eagles XV
By Dallen Stanford
Toronto – Despite a late comeback from the Eagles, Canada held on for a 28-22 win in front of a record crowd of more than 10,000 at BMO Field. In so doing Canada retain the Can/Am Trophy. The match was aired LIVE on TSN in Canada and Universal Sports in America.
The USA produced some excellent passages of play, scoring three team tries in the process.
Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, said: “We are disappointed, it would have been great to get the win here in Toronto. We let in a couple of tries from very simple errors that really hurt us, and put ourselves under pressure. But we responded well and got back into the game,”
The Eagles will travel back to Glendale, Colorado, tomorrow for what will be a very busy week. The USA Select XV will play the Glendale Raptors on Wednesday August 10 at Infinity Park. Then on Saturday, August 13, the Eagles will take on Canada at the same venue, with kick-off at 7.15 P.M. This match will be broadcast LIVE – both online and on television – through Universal Sports.
“There were plenty of positives against Canada. Our scrum was very solid and our line-out fired well for the most part. We scored some good tries, and with more time together, the team cohesiveness will only improve. We have one week to fine tune things before the return match,” said O’Sullivan.
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Ian Muir Photo
This was a highly anticipated game. This was the match to watch as a preview for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. USA Wins it! 32-25 win over Russia! Try Time coming from Paul Emerick, Andrew Suniula, Todd Clever, and Tai Enosa. Man of the Match: Nese Malifa.
Clever showed up as a true captain in this match, providing key tackles and capitalizing on a missed pass by Russia for a daring try! This is was exactly the type of leadership that the Eagles were looking for. Meanwhile, Nese Malifa provided a glorious foot and supplied key passes throughout the match. Great team work from all of the boys. Cal Golden Bears Alumni in full force out on the pitch today as well: Louis Stanfill, Chris Biller, Blaine Scully. Hawley & Fry.
The Eagles look to hold a huge psychological advantage over Russia going into the world cup, winning the last 3 matches against them including this match at The Churchill Cup.
For the full recap: Click Here!
Highlights Below:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBPYwn6quUE]
The last two tournaments of the HSBC Sevens World Series are approaching, and U.S. Coach Al Caravelli has opted for experience in his team selection.
The London tournament, starting May 21, is up first, followed by Edinburgh from May 28-29.
And, according to Jerrod Beckstrom of USA Rugby, a departure from the typically young team picks for the final stops of the Series (often smattered with freshly out-of-school collegiate players), the 12-player squad he has named this year is steeped in speed, experience, size and physicality.
The only player in the squad from the college ranks is Cameron Dolan, the dominant eight man for Life University’s College Premier Division side who has been on Caravelli’s radar since Dolan was an Under-17 player.
“Cam is a unique kind of player,” said Caravelli of the 21-year-old Dolan. “He’s a true forward with the speed of a back. I’m excited to see him break onto the international scene.”
Mike Palefau and Nese Malifa are back in top form according to their coach, and their considerable experience and expertise will be an asset to the team, if in limited capacity as they transition back to international rugby. The last time Malifa was with the squad was last year in Adelaide, when the USA played in its first-ever Cup final in Adelaide after beating England, Wales and Argentina. Palefau’s last time with the team was in 2009.
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