RUGBY WORLD CUP: Canada and USA begin Preparations

06.08.2011
United States v Canada in Toronto (Can-Am Trophy)

Venue: BMO Field

Referee:

Preview
Canada has dominated test matches against the USA over the last decade or so. In the recent Churchill Cup, played in England, Canada reached the final against England Saxons, losing 6-37, whilst the USA finished 5th after a 32-25 win over Russia. In their first match of the tournament the USA were defeated 87-8 by the England Saxons.

Both teams look to be at full strength or close to it. The USA team looks stronger than the side that played in the Churchill Cup. Playing on home turf will be an advantage to Canada.

Former All Black and Canadian Coach
Kieran Crowley.

Last Five Encounters
11.07.2009 Canada 41-18 in Edmonton (WCQ Americas R2 Final, 2nd leg)
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)
12.08.2006 Canada 56-7 in St Johns (WCQ Americas R3, North)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Canada 16th, United States 17th
NACRA Table-Canada 1st, United States 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
Canada 69.79, United States 66.78

Prediction: Canada by 22 points

Teams

Canada
15. Matt Evans (Unattached)
14. Phil Mackenzie (Esher RFC, England)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
12. Mike Scholz (Ontario Blues)
11. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC, England)
10. Ander Monro (Ontario Blues)
9. Ed Fairhurst (British Columbia Bears)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Plymouth Albion RFC, England)
7. Chauncey O'Toole (The Rock)
6. Jebb Sinclair (The Rock)
5. Brian Erichsen (British Columbia Bears)
4. Jamie Cudmore (ASM Clermont Auvergne, France)
3. Jason Marshall (British Columbia Bears)
2. Pat Riordan, Capt. (British Columbia Bears)
1. Hubert Buydens (Prairie Wolf Pack)
Replacements
16. Ryan Hamilton (British Columbia Bears)
17. Scott Franklin (Prairie Wolf Pack)
18. Tyler Hotson (Plymouth Albion RFC, England)
19. Adam Kleeberger (British Columbia Bears)
20. Sean White (British Columbia Bears)
21. Ryan Smith (Prairie Wolf Pack)
22. Ciaran Hearn (The Rock)
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?page=54495&clientID=3817&leagueID=0

United States
15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
13 Paul Emerick (Life University)
12 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
8 Nic Johnson (Unattached)
7 Todd Clever, Capt. (Suntory, Japan)
6 Louis Stanfill (Unattached)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
4 John van der Giessen (Unattached)
3 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
2 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93, France)
Replacements
16 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
18 Inaki Basauri (Perigueux, France)
19 Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town, Sth Africa)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC, England)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
Head Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan

Unavailable through injury: James Paterson (Highlanders, NZ), Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)

http://www.usarugby.org