Rugby Test: United States v Japan

22.11.2008
United States v Japan in Tokyo (2nd test)

Preview
The USA team will improve the longer they are together. They lost shape as a team against Japan and with good coaching that should improve this week.


The question is will they improve enough to get past a Japanese side that is batting well above their weight. With 16 top line players out with injury coach John Kirwan has this young side firing at the right time.


Prediction: USA by 3 points

Teams

United States
15 Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
13 Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma, Italy)
12 Junior Sifa (Midleton)
11 Gavin Debartolo (Eastern Suburbs)
10 Michael Hercus (IBM, Japan)
9 Mike Petri (New York AC)
8 Pat Quinn (Denver Barbarians)
7 Todd Clever, Capt. (Xerox Lions)
6 Inaki Basaui (Agen, France)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4 John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
3 Brian LeMay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds)
2 Mark Crick (Potomac AC)
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
Replacements
16 Joseph Welch (Univ. of California)
17 Mate Moeakiola (undeclared)
18 Courney MacKay (Auckland, New Zealand)
19 JJ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, Sth Africa)
20 Chad Erskine (Rotherham)
21 Thretton Palamo (Biarritz, France)
22 Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore)
Head Coach: Scott Johnson
http://www.gainline.us/

Japan
15. Kaoru Matsushita (Yamaha)
14. Kosuke Endo (Toyota)
13 Bryce Robins (NEC)
12. Ryan Nicholas (Suntory)
11. Koji Tomioka (Yamaha)
10. Shaun Webb (World)
9. Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo)
8. Ryu Holani (Sanyo)
7. Takashi Kikutani, Capt. (Toyota)
6. Michael Leitch (Tokai University)
5. Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota)
4. Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba)
3. Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory)
2. Yusuke Aoki (Suntory)
1. Hisateru Hirashima (Kobe Steel)
Replacements
16. Naonori Mizuyama (NEC)
17. Naoki Kawamata (Sanyo)
18. Luke Thompson (Kintetsu)
19. Mosata Toyida (Toshiba)
20. Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba)
21. Masakazu Irie (Sanyo)
22. Piei Mafileo (Nihon University)
Head Coach: John Kirwan
http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=433&Itemid=1