International Rugby: USA, Canada Showdown No.1

04.07.2009
United States v Canada in Charleston (WCQ America R2, First Leg)

Preview
July 4th is a special celebration day in the USA. Independence Day sees festivity throughout the land. The USA rugby team will be hoping that the occasion will carry their team to victory in the first leg of this 2011 Rugby World Cup qualifying match.

Both teams has had an extensive preparation over the months of May and June. Both played the visiting Irish and Welsh sides before competing in the Churchill Cup. What these results showed is that Canada has a clear advantage over their southern neighbours.

The USA has continued to struggle to build a strong team despite finishing above last in the Churchill Cup for the first time in a few years. New coach Eddie O'Sullivan, of Irish fame, is still building his new side. This is crunch time. The winner on aggregate over two legs will qualify automatically for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The loser will have to battle its way through a rigorous repecharge system to qualify through the back door. At this stage I can't see Canada losing either leg, although the home advantage for this match should see the USA push the visitors to a close result.

Last Five Encounters
21.06.2008 Canada 26-10 in Chicago (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5th-6th)
02.06.2007 Canada 52-10 at Twickenham (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5th-6th)
12.08.2006 Canada 56-7 in St Johns (WCQ America R3, North 2nd leg)
17.06.2006 Canada 33-18 in Edmonton (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5th-6th)
26.06.2005 USA 20-19 in Edmonton (Churchill Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Canada 15th, USA 16th
North America Table-Canada 1st, USA 2nd

Prediction: Canada by 7 points

Teams

United States
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic, France)
13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma, Italy)
12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)
11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)
10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays, Australia))
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England)
1. Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
2. Chris Biller (California)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
5. Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)

Replacements
16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)
17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
19. J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, Sth Africa)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Canada
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria)
3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder)
4. Mike Burak (Unattached)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens)
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers)
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry, England)
9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates, England)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley, England)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College, England)
15. James Pritchard (Bedford, England)

Replacements
16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians)
17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria)
18. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC)
19. Stu Ault (Mosely, England)
20. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA)
22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers)
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley (NZ)
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2975&start=180