Rugby Test Match: USA Begins International Season

31.05.2009
United States v Ireland in Santa Clara

Venue: Buck Shaw Stadium

Referee

Preview
The USA mens national rugby team has little to celebrate about over the past few years. They have won only one test out of the last thirteen since the beginning of 2007. The last three wins since 2006 have all been against Uruguay. The low point came last November when they were humbled by the Japanese away, losing the series 2-0. They last won against Canada in 2005 and have come last in all their Churchill Cup tournaments since being in the first final.

This test match heralds a new beginning for USA rugby. Ironically, former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will line up a USA team with a mix of experience and newcomers. O'Sullivan faces a not uncommon problem in USA rugby, the non-availability of players, especially those based overseas. Unavailable, some because of injury, are experienced players Valenese Malifa, Alec Parker, Rikus Pretorius, Tod Cleaver, Paul Emerick, Mike Palefau, Thretton Palamo, Salesi Sika, Gavin DeBartolo, Matt Wyatt, Taku Ngwenya and Kort Schubert. O'Sullivan has chosen eight new caps, six being in the run on lineup.

Ireland were not convincing in their 25-6 win over Canada last weekend. They have stuck with the same lineup with only Michael Ross replacing Tom Court in the front row. This new look Irish side will be looking to improve their performance.

Previous Encounters
20.11.2004 Ireland 55-6 in Dublin
10.06.2000 Ireland 83-3 in Manchester, USA
02.10.1999 Ireland 53-8 in Dublin
07.01.1996 Ireland 25-18 in Atlanta
05.11.1994 Ireland 26-15 in Dublin.

In recent years the USA has lost twice to Ireland 'A' in the Churchill Cup, 46-9 in 2008, and 28-13 in 2006.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 3rd, USA 20th

Prediction: The Irish will have too much spit and polish for this fairly in experienced Eagles side. Ireland by 30 points

Teams

U.S. Eagles:
15 – Christopher Wyles (Saracens, England) Aged 26, 13 tests
14 – Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach) , New Cap
13 – Junior Sifa (Middleton) 26, 3
12 – Roland Suniula (Pearl City) , New Cap
11 – Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins) 25, 1
10 – Michael Hercus (Sunshine Coast, Australia) 30, 42
9 – Michael Petri, Capt. (New York Athletic Club) 24, 7
8 – Nicholas Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC) , New Cap
7 – Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore RFC) , New Cap
6 – Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club) 23, 11
5 – Hayden Smith (Saracens, England) 24, 3
4 – John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians) 27, 5
3 – William Johnson (Oxford University, England) , New Cap
2 – Christopher Biller (California) , New Cap
1 – Michael MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England) 28, 53
Replacements:
16 – Joseph Welch (Belmont Shore) 25, 3
17 – Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis) 31, 10
18 – Courtney Mackay (Counties Manukau, New Zealand) 26, 1
19 – J.J. Gagiani (Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa) 24, 3
20 – Timothy Usasz (Nottingham, England) , New Cap
21 – Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore) 23, New Cap
22 – Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers) 28, 3
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

http://www.usarugby.org/

Ireland
15. Gavin Duffy (Connacht) Age 27, 9 Tests
14. Barry Murphy (Munster) 26, 3
13. Darren Cave (Ulster) 22, 1
12. Ian Whitten (Ulster) 21, 1
11. Ian Dowling (Munster) 24, 1
10. Ian Keatley (Connacht) 22, 1
9. Peter Stringer (Munster) 31, 90
8. Denis Leamy (Munster) 27, 41
7. Niall Ronan (Munster) 26, 1
6. John Muldoon (Connacht) 24, 1
5. Michael O'Driscoll (Munster) 30, 16
4. Robert Casey (London Irish, England) 30, 6
3. Michael Ross (Harlequins, England) 29, New Cap
2. Rory Best, Capt. (Ulster) 26, 32
1. Anthony Buckley (Shannon/Munster) 28, 12
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin (Connacht) 23, New Cap
17. Thomas Court (Ulster) 28, 2
18. Ryan Caldwell Ulster) 24, 1
19. Donnacha Ryan (Munster) 24, 2
20. Eoin Reddan (London Wasps, England) 28, 15
21. Niall O'Connor (Ulster) 21, New cap
22. Denis Hurley (Munster) 24, New Cap
Head Coach: Declan Kidney