Test Match Rugby: USA Eagles Head for Canada

11.07.2009
USA v Canada in Edmonton (WCQ Americas R2, Final 2nd leg)

Preview
The USA caused a major upset when, against form, they defeated Canada 12-6 last weekend in Charleston. It was American Independence Day and the USA Eagles celebrated the occasion in style. They will find the Canadians better prepared at home this weekend and will need to play extremely well to gain automatic qualification to the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals.

Last Five Encounters
04.07.2009 USA 12-6 in Charleston (WCQ Americas R2, Final, 1st leg)
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)
02.08.2006 Canada 56-7 in St Johns (WCQ America R3, North)
17.06.2006 Canada 33-18 in Edmonton (Churchill Cup, Playoff 5th-6th)

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

Prediction: USA by 7 points

Teams

USA
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)
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain
6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
5. Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
2. Chris Biller (California)
1. Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)

Replacements
16. Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
19. J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
22. Salesi Sika (Castres Olympique, France)

Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Adapted from http://www.usarugby.org/

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

Replacements
16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians)
17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria)
18. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC)
19. Stu Ault (Mosely, England)
20. Bryn Keys (Moseley, England)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA)
22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers)
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley (NZ)

Adapted from http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=36783