Rugby Match: Uruguay Have Uphill Struggle

21.11.2009
Uruguay v United States in Lauderhill (WCQ Americas R2; Playoff, 2nd leg)

Venue: Broward County Regional Park

Referee:

Preview
United States won the first leg 27-22 last weekend and so have an aggregate 5 point lead. They have not made any changes to their starting lineup from last weekend. USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan (ex Ireland) explains.“With just a five- point spread between the teams we have to approach this game as a one-off final, As far as we are concerned the score is 0-0 with 80 minutes remaining. It’s all to play for.”

The USA won a tight struggle against Uruguay in the first leg. Image thanks to http://www.usarugby.org/

Uruguay will struggle to win the away leg. They need to win by 6 points or more to gain the second America's place at the 2010 Rugby World Cup

Last Five Encounters
14.11.2009 USA 27-22 in Montevideo (WCQ Americas R2, Playoff, 2nd leg)
08.11.2008 USA 43-9 in Salt Lake City
07.10.2006 USA 33-7 in Stanford (WCQ America, Playoff, 1st leg)
11.10.2006 USA 42-13 in Montevideo (WCQ America, Playoff, 2nd leg)
30.08.2003 USA 31-17 in Buenos Aires (Pan American Series)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-United States 16th, Uruguay 23rd

Prediction: Uruguay does not have a good record away v USA. USA by 20 points.

Teams

United States
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic, France)
13. Paul Emerick (Parma FC, Italy)
12. Junior Sifa (Middleton RFC)
11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach RFC)
10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays, Australia)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC, England)
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
7. Todd Clever (Golden Lions)
6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
5. Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4. John Van der Giessen (SC Albigeois, France)
3. Will Johnson (Oxford University, England)
2. Phil Thiel (Life University)
1. Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City RFC)
Replacements
16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)
17. Jacob Sprague (Mystic River RFC)
18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
19. Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (FC Roma, Italy)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
22. Pate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Uruguay
Carlos Arboleya (Trébol)
Nicolás Brignioni (Oyonnax, France)
Juan Campomar (Old Boys)
Rodrigo Capo (Castres, France)
Alejo Corral (San Isidro Club, Argentina)
Juan De Freitas (Champagnat)
Martín Espiga (Old Christian's)
Jerónimo Etcheverry (Carrasco Polo)
Matías Fonseca (Los Cuervos)
Santiago Gibernau (Carrasco Polo)
Alfredo Giuria (Los Cuervos)
Juan Horta (Old Christian's)
Tomás Jolivet (Old Boys)
Juan Llovet (Old Christian's)
Manuel Martinez (Old Christian's)
Nicolás Morales (Trébol)
Joaquín Pastore, Capt. (Old Boys)
Carlos Protasi (Carrasco Polo)
Juan Rombys (Trébol)
Mario Sagario (Dax, France)
Rodrigo Sanchez (Carrasco Polo)
Alejandro Silveira (Los Cuervos)
Head Coach: Felipe Puig

http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3283

World Cup Rugby: USA and Uruguay Begin Quest

14.11.2009
United States v Uruguay in Montevideo (WCQ America's R2, Playoff 1st leg)

Venue:

Referee:

Image thanks to www.uru.org.uy

Preview
Whilst some World Cup eyes are focus on Tunis for the first Namibia-Tunisia clash, eyes will also be on the first America's playoff clash between Uruguay and the USA. The winner of this series will qualify for a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Finals as Americas 2. The loser goes into the draw for the very last place at the finals.

The USA arrived in Montevideo without two long stalwarts of USA rugby, front-rower Mike MacDonald, and utility back Salesi Sika. Whilst they will be difficult to replace, USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan (ex Ireland fame) says his squad has had plenty of match play over the summer and autumn.

Uruguay has the home advantage but it's history against the USA is not good. They lost 9-43 away this time last year and has not defeated the USA since 2002. They do not have as many Europe-based players (the USA squad boasts 19 European club past or present experience). They do have the home advantage and they will need to win and win well.

Last Five Encounters
08.11.2008 USA 43-9 in Salt Lake City
07.10.2006 USA 33-7 in Stanford (WCQ America, Playoff, 1st leg)
11.10.2006 USA 42-13 in Montevideo (WCQ America, Playoff, 2nd leg)
30.08.2003 USA 31-17 in Buenos Aires (Pan American Series)
31.08.2002 Uruguay 10-9 in Montevideo (WCQ America R4)

These results tell us that the USA has an advantage over their southern rivals.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-USA 16th, Uruguay 23rd

Prediction: USA by 15 points

Teams

USA Squad
Cory Blair (Huntington Beach RFC)
Todd Clever (Golden Lions)
Pat Danahy (Life University)
Paul Emerick (Parma FC, Italy)
J.J. Gaganio (FC Roma, Italy)
Mike Hercus (Gold Coast Stingrays, Australia)
Nicholas Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC)
William Johnson (Oxford University, England)
Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)
Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City RFC)
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic, France)
Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club Rugby)
Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
Junior Sifa (Midleton RFC)
Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
Jacob Sprague (Mystic River RFC)
Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club Rugby)
Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)
Kevin Swiryn(Old Puget Sound Beach RFC)
Phil Thiel (Life University)
AlipateTuilevuka(Provo Steelers)
Timothy Usasz (Nottingham RFC, England)
John Van Der Giessen (SC Albigeois, France)
Christopher Wyles (Saracens, England)
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Not considered due to injury:
Chris Biller (unattached)

Considered but unavailable:
Colin Hawley (California), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Salesi Sika (Castres Olympic)

http://www.usarugby.org/default.asp

Uruguay
15-Jerónimo Etchverry
14-Martín Crosa
13-Juan Llovet
12-Joaquín Pastore
11-Leandro Leivas
10-Nicolás Morales
9-Juan Campomar
8-Rodrigo Capó (capitán)
7-Alfredo Giuria
6-Nicolás Brignoni
5-Matías Fonseca
4-Carlos Protasi
3-Mario Sagario
2-Martín Espiga
1-Rodrigo Sànchez
Replacements
16-Carlos Arboleya
17-Alejo Corral
18-Juan Alzueta
19-Juan Horta
20-Manuel Martinez
21-Alejandro Silveira
22-Tomás Jolivet
Head Coach: Felipe Puig

http://www.uru.org.uy/noticias/315/titulares_para_manana

Rugby Test Results: 10-11 July

11.07.2009
Half Time Canada 24-0 v USA in Edmonton (WCQ Americas 2, Final)Morocco 29, Kenya 11 in Safi (CAR Trophy, North: Final)
Senegal 11, Cameroun 3 in Safi (CAR Trophy, North: 3rd-4th)
Samoa v PNG-No score at present

10.07.2009
Togo 6, Mali 5 in Tsevie (CAR Dev.Trophy, North: Pool A)

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

International Test Rugby This Weekend 11-12 July

11.07.2009
Canada v United States in Edmonton (WCQ Americas R2, Playoff 2nd leg)
Samoa v Papua New Guinea in Apia (WCQ Oceania R2, 1st leg)
Kenya v Morocco in Safi (CAR Trophy, North: Final)
Senegal v Cameroun in Safi (CAR Trophy, North; Playoff 3rd-4th)
Burkino Faso v Nigeria in Tsévié (CAR Dev.Trophy, North, Pool B)
Ghana v Chad in Tsévié (CAR Development Trophy, North, Pool B)

12.07.2009
Niger v Mali in Tsévié (CAR Development Trophy, North, Pool A)
Togo v Benin in Tsévié (CAR Development Trophy, North, Pool A)

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