Eddie O’ Sullivan announces USA Eagles final 30-man squad for 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign
The United States national Rugby Union team, commonly known as the USA Eagles, has announced their final 30-man squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign. USA Eagles head coach, Eddie O’ Sullivan, unveiled his roster on Monday, August 22. He has expressed his satisfaction with his final squad.
O’ Sullivan’s 30-man squad contains a 16:14 forwards to backs split.
Commenting on the occasion, O’ Sullivan said, “I think there is a sense of relief that we are now in a position to name the final squad of 30 for the RWC. It has been a thorough process and I belief that we have the best 30 players available to us heading into the RWC.”
O’ Sullivan termed the process of short-listing the squad a very challenging task. He added that the coaches have to take some tough decisions in finalising their squad. He said, “As expected we have had to make some very tough decisions to get to the final squad, but that is just reflection on the talent available to us.”
O’ Sullivan has appointed Suntory Sungoliath’s back row forward, Todd Clever, as the captain of the USA Eagles in their 2011 RWC campaign.
New York Athletic Club’s Mike Petri has been appointed as Clever’s deputy for the showpiece tournament. Earlier last week, Petri lead the Eagles in their pre-World Cup warm-up encounter against Asian Champions, Japan, on Sunday, August 21 in Tokyo.
The squad also contains players, who are currently playing their professional rugby in different European Rugby Union clubs. These players includes Stade Francais’ Scott LaValla, Leeds Carnegie’s Mike MacDonald, London Welsh’s Shawn Pittman, Saracens’ Chris Wyles and Nottingham’s duo of Junior Sifa and Tim Usasz.
O'Sullivan has instructed the squad to assemble in Santa Barbara on Sunday August 28, to give the final touches to their 2011 RWC preparations before leaving for New Zealand on September 1.
The USA Eagles final 30-man squad for their 2011 RWC campaign consists of:
Forwards: Inaki Basauri (Perigueux), Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath), Pat Danahy (Life University), Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks), JJ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town), Nic Johnson (Unattached), Scott LaValla (Stade Francais), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93), Shawn Pittman (London Welsh), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Louis Stanfill (Unattached), Phil Thiel (Life University), John van der Giessen (Unattached).
Backs: Paul Emerick (Life University), Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore), Colin Hawley (Olympic Club), Nese Malifa (Glendale), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz), James Paterson (Otago), Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Blaine Scully (Unattached), Junior Sifa (Nottingham RFC), Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins), Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby), Kevin Swiryn (Agen), Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC), Chris Wyles (Saracens).
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