TEST MATCH RUGBY: United States in Lisbon

13.11.2010
United States v Portugal in Lisbon

Venue: Lisbon University Stadium

Referee: J.Doyle (England)

Preview
The USA Eagles rugby team began its European tour with a 6-20 loss to London club Saracens. Today they face Portugal in the first international. Next up they play Scotland 'A' and Georgia. This tour is a very important part of their preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The USA has this tour plus the Churchill Cup next June and then they are at the World Cup. So every game from now on counts.

Portugal missed out on a World Cup place. Their focus is now on the European Nations Cup February-March next year. They will host Namibia and Canada this month. Wins against those World Cup qualifiers will be important to the Portuguese, even if only to prove a point.

Both sides have most of their experienced players, and, like most teams at this level, are made up of players who ply their trade around the rugby world.

History and rankings would suggest that the USA will have too much grunt for Portugal.

Previous Encounter
08.04.1998 United States 61-5 in Lisbon

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-United States 16th, Portugal 21st

IRB Rankings
USA 67.89 (15th), Portugal 61.27 (22nd)

Prediction: USA by 12 points

Teams

Portugal Squad
Antonio Aguilar (GD Direito) 57 Tests
Anthony Alves (Montauban, France) New Cap
Laurent Balang (Colomiers Rugby, France) New Cap
Julien Bardy (Clermont Auvergne, France) 2
Pedro Cabral (CD University Lisboa) 29
Lionel Campergne (Section Paloise, France) New Cap
Joao Correia, Capt. (GD Direito) 53
Rui D'Orey (GD Direito) 2
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa) 22
Joseph Gardner (Aubenas) 5
James Girão (CD University Lisboa) 26
Pedro Leal (GD Direito) 41
Jose Lima (AEISAgronomia) New Cap
Francisco Mira (AEISAgronomia) 7
Ivo Morais (Chateurenard, France) New Cap
Frederico Oliveira (CD University Lisboa) 5
Jose Pinto,V. Capt. (GD Direito) 45
Cristian Spachuk (Colomiers Rugby, France) 29
Juan Severino (AEISAgronomia) 31
Pedro Silva (CF Belenenses) 15
Gonçalo Uva (Montpellier FC, France) 48
Vasco Uva (GD Direito) 63
Head Coach: Errol Brain
Adapted from http://www.fpr.pt/seleccoes/index.asp?pagina=1&opm=1&id=8426&id2=1

United States
15 Christopher Wyles (Saracens, England)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
13 Setareki Tulievuka (Montpellier, France)
12 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Timothy Usasz (Nottingham, England)
8 Nicholas Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
7 Todd Clever, Capt. (Suntory, Japan)
6 Louis Stanfill (Mogliano, Italy)
5 John van der Giessen (Bath Rugby, England)
4 Scott Lavalla (Dublin University, Ireland)
3 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
2 Philip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93, France)
Replacements
16 Christopher Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England)
18 Jonathon Gaganio (Eastern Province, South Africa)
19 Inaki Basauri (L’aquila, Italy)
20 Michael Petri (Sale, England)
21 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
22 Paul Emerick (Ulster, Ireland
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan
Adapted from http://www.usarugby.org