Eddie O’Sullivan lists shortened 36-man squad for USA Eagles 2011 Rugby World Cup preparations
United States national rugby union team’s head coach, Eddie O’ Sullivan, has announced his shortened 36-man squad for their 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) preparations. He announced the USA Eagles squad on Thursday, July 21.
Earlier, at the end of their 2011 Churchill Cup campaign, O’Sullivan announced a 50-man provisional squad for 2011 RWC.
Commenting on the occasion, O’Sullivan said, “The player pool is now reduced to 36 players and the final RWC squad of 30 that will travel to New Zealand will likely come from this pool.”
O’ Sullivan has hinted that that the players left out of the squad can be recalled back in the squad if required. He said, “Although with three test matches in August, there is always the possibility of injuries, which may open up a late call up for some
players who could come from inside or outside this pool of 36.”
USA Eagles will play three pre-World Cup preparation games in August. Eagles will travel to Toronto to play against the hosts at BMO field on August 6. A week later, the USA will host Canada at Infinity Park, Glendale, CO. They will play their last of three
matches against Japan in Tokyo on August 21.
O’Sullivan has urged the players to deliver good performance in their three upcoming matches. He confirmed that the final 30-man squad will be decided on the basis of the performance of the players in August matches.
The shortened USA Eagles squad includes:
Forwards: Inaki Basauri (L' Aquila), Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan), Pat Danahy (Life University), Cameron Dolan (Life University), Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks), JJ Gagiano (Univ. of
Cape Town), Nic Johnson (Unattached), Will Johnson (London Irish), 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
(Mogliano), Phil Thiel (Life University), John van der Giessen (Utah Warriors)
Backs: Paul Emerick (Life University), Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore), Troy Hall (New York Athletic Club), Colin Hawley (Olympic Club), Nese Malifa (Glendale), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz), Mike Palefau (Utah Warriors), James Paterson (Otago Highlanders),
Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Blaine Scully (University of California - Berkeley), Robbie Shaw (Bristol Rugby), Junior Sifa (Nottingham RFC), Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins), Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby), Kevin Swiryn (Agen), Zack Test (Unattached),
Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC), Chris Wyles (Saracens).
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