RUGBY TEST MATCH Italy v USA

23.06.2012
Italy v United States in Houston

Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium

Image thanks to http://www.bbvacompassstadium.com/usa-vs-italy

Referee: Jerome Graces (France)

Preview
Italy will be wanting a good win over the USA in Houston, to give them a 2-1 winning ratio on their North American tour. Team coach Jacques Brunel is keen for this Italian side to play a full eighty-minute game and to impose their style of play of the game. No longer is Italy interested in playing a defensive style game.

Italy has made a number of changes to the side that defeated Canada last weekend.

USA coach Mike Tolkin has kept much to the side that was successful over Georgia last weekend. This game is a big step up from both the Canadian and Georgian games. Although not containing a few of their top players this is still a formidable side. I think Italy will be too strong up front for the lighter USA forwards.

Previous Encounters
27.09.2011 Italy 27-10 in Nelson (World Cup, Pool C)
27.11.2004 Italy 43-25 in Bierra-in-Piedmont

Italy Last Five
16.06.2012 v Canada W 25-16 in Toronto
09.06.2012 v Argentina L 22-37 in San Juan
17.03.2012 v Scotland W 13-6 in Rome (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 v Wales L 3-24 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
25.02.2012 v Ireland L 10-42 in Dublin (6 Nations)

United States Last Five
16.06.2012 v Georgia W 36-20 in Denver
09.06.2012 v Canada L 25-28 in Kingston (Can-Am Trophy)
27.09.2011 v Italy L 10-27 in Nelson (World Cup, Pool C)
23.09.2011 v Australia L 5-67 in Wellington (World Cup, Pool C)
15.09.2011 v Russia W 13-6 in New Plymouth (World Cup, Pool C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Italy 10th, USA 20th

IRB Ranking Points
Italy 75.26, USA 67.38

Prediction: Italy by 12 points

Teams

UNITED STATES

15		Christopher Wyles	Saracens, England
14		James Paterson	Glendale Raptors
13		Paul Emerick	London Wasps, England
12		Andrew Suniula	Cornish Pirates, England
11		Luke Hume	Old Blues
10		Roland Suniula	Chicago Griffins
9		Michael Petri	New York Athletic Club
8		Todd Clever (Capt.)	NTT Shining Arc, Japan
7		Scott Lavalla	Stade Francais, France
6		Taylor Mokate	Wellington Old Boys RFC, NZ
5		Brian Doyle	New York Athletic Club
4		Louis Stanfill	New York Athletic Club
3		Eric Fry	Wellington Old Boys RFC, NZ
2		Christopher Biller	Northampton Saints, England
1		Shawn Pittman	London Welsh, England
16		Derek Asbun	Oxford University, England
17		Michael MacDonald	Unattached
18		Tolifili (Andre) Liufau	l'Uson Rugby
19		Andrew Durutalo	Old Puget Sound Beach
20		Mose Timoteo	SFGG
21		William Holder	Army
22		Colin Hawley	USA Rugby Sevens
		HEAD COACH: Michael Tolkin

www.usarugby.org

ITALY

15		Luke McLean	Treviso
14		Giovanbattista Venditti	Aironi
13		Roberto Quartaroli	Aironi
12		Luca Morisi	Treviso
11		Tommaso Benvenuti	Treviso
10		Riccardo Bocchino	Cavalieri Prato
9		Edoardo Gori	Treviso
8		Robert Barbieri	Treviso
7		Mauro Bergamasco	Aironi
6		Alessandro Zanni	Treviso
5		Joshua Furno	Aironi
4		Antonio Pavanello	Treviso
3		Martin Castrogiovani (Capt.)	Leicester Tigers, England
2		Carlo Festuccia	Parma
1		Alberto De Marchi	Aironi
16		Davide Giazzon	Rovigo
17		Michele Rizzo	Treviso
18		Simone Favaro	Aironi
19		Thomaso D'Apice	Aironi
20		Tito Tebeldi	Aironi
21		Kristopher Burton	Treviso
22		Alberto Scarbi	Treviso
		HEAD COACH: Jacques Brunel