TEST MATCH: Churchill Cup Game 1

05.06.2010
Russia v United States in Glendale

Venue: Infinity Park

Referee:

Preview
The first match of the 2010 Churchill Cup puts two teams on the paddock that last met 6 years ago. Since then Russia has qualified for the Rugby World Cup finals for the first time whilst the USA has been in rebuilding mode after a number of key players retired after the 2007 event.

For Russia it will be their first trial of strength outside the European Nations Cup Tournament, where they came second and automatically qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals. They have a team mixed with youth and experience. It will be in the forwards that they hold their strength.

The USA is fielding a team mixed with new caps and experience but without leader Todd Clever injured they may struggle. never underestimate a team playing at home in front of a home crowd.

If last years tournament, held at the same venue, is anything to go by, expect hot dry conditions in Denver.

Previous Encounters
30.05.2004 United States 41-14 in Tokyo (Superpowers Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)
25.09.1988 Russia 31-16 in Moscow

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-United States 16th, Russia 19th
IRB Ranking Points-USA 67.05, Russia 65.45

Prediction: US by 13 points.

Teams

United States
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens, England) Age 26, Tests 20
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique, France) 24, 14
13. Junior Sifa (Middleton RFC) 27, 6
12. Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins) 23, 4
11. Paul Emerick (Parma RFC) 30, 36
10. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore) 24, 6
9. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) 25, 14
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians) 20, 7
7. Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore) New cap
6. Louis Stanfill (Canberra Royals, Australia) 26, 18
5. Scott Lavalla (Dublin University, Ireland) New cap
4. John Van de Giessen, Capt. (Sporting Club Albi, France) 28, 12
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC) 22, 5
2. Phillip Thiel (Life University) ?, 2
1. Mate Moeakiola (Sporting Club Albi, France) 32, 17
Replacements
16. Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate) 24, 5
17. Tony Purpura (Boston Rugby Club) New cap
18. Patrick Danahy (Life Univeristy) 25, 1
19. J.J. Gagiano (University of Cape Town, South Africa) 24, 9
20. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC, England) 26, 7
21. Volney Rouse (Te Kawau, New Zealand) New cap
22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers) 29, 10
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

http://www.churchillcuprugby.net/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3731&leagueID=10901

Russia
15. Vasily Artemyev (VVA-Podmoskovye) Age 22, 12 tests
14. Andrey Kuzin (VVA-Podmoskovye) 32, 45
13. Mikhail Babaev (VVA-Podmoskovye) 23, 24
12. Sergey Trishin (VVA-Podmoskovye) 24, 28
11. Dmitry Gerasimov (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk) ?, 5
10. Yury Kushnarev (VVA-Podmoskovye) 24, 34
9. Alexander Yanyushkin (VVA-Podmoskovye) 27, 33
8. Artem Matveev (?), New cap
7. Evgeny Matveev (VVA-Podmoskovye) 24, 19
6. Victor Gresev (VVA-Podmoskovye) 23, 24
5. Georgi Minadze (Penza) 27, 1
4. Alexander Pronenko (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk)
3. Evgeny Pronenko (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk) 25, 12
2. Vladislav Korshunov (C) (VVA-Podmoskovye) 26, 37
1. Sergey Popov (?), ?, 2+?
Replacements
16. Alexander Khrokin (VVA-Podmoskovye) 33, 40
17. Alexey Travkin (VVA-Podmoskovye) 32, 33
18. Sergey Sergeev Jnr (Montauban, France) ?, 1
19. Kirill Kushnarev (VVA-Podmoskovye) 26, 10+?
20. Alexander Shakirov (VVA-Podmoskovye) 28, 37
21. Alexey Korobeynikov (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk) 31, 35
22. Alexey Makovetskiy (Krasny Yar) 26, 4
Head Coach: Steve Diamond

http://www.churchillcuprugby.net/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3731&leagueID=10901&page=44949