Rugby World Cup Profile – USA Eagles
The national rugby union team of the United States of America (USA), commonly known as USA Eagles is placed in Pool C of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC). Besides the USA Eagles, other teams in Pool C include Australia, Ireland, Italy, and Russia.
The 2011 RWC appearance is the Eagles consecutive fourth RWC appearance and overall their sixth. Only once, they have failed to secure a place in rugby union’s most prestigious tournament, which was back in 1999. However, their record at this global event
has always been lacking. They have played 17 World Cup games and ended up on the winning side just once.
USA Eagles are currently ranked 17th at the International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Rugby rankings and they were lucky enough to secure a berth in this year’s RWC campaign.
In their RWC qualification run they were first beat by Canada. Following their defeat to the Canucks, they beat Uruguay in a two game play-off, in the America 2 Qualified to secure their place in the 2011 RWC.
Eagles recent international commitment includes their participation in the 2011 Churchill Cup, which was played in England earlier this summer. The eventual cup winner, England Saxons, thrashed Eagles 87 – 6 in their maiden Churchill Cup encounter.
Later, they lost their second pool match against Tonga 44 – 13. However, Eagles were able to finished fifth in the tournament as they defeated their rivals, Russia 33 – 25, in the fifth place play off.
In first of their, three pre-world cup warm up games, Canada has defeated Eagles 28 – 22 at BMO Stadium, Toronto on Saturday, August 6. Next, Eagles will play a home and away fixture against Canada and Japan before they head to New Zealand to participate
in the 2011 RWC.
Eagles captain and flanker Todd Clever, is their most notable player. He has played in Super Rugby and National Provincial Championship for Golden Lions and North Harbour. In addition to Clever, former USA Under-19s utility back, James Paterson, is another
notable player. He currently plays as winger in the New Zealand Super Rugby franchise, the Highlanders.
Alec Parker, with his 10 international appearances, holds the record for Eagles for most appearances, while Mike Hercus is their leading point scorer. Hercus has scored 77 points in his 8 appearances, which includes 2 tries, 11 conversions and 15 penalties.
Eagles duo of Ray Nelson and Kort Schubert with their three tries each are USA’s top try scorers.
USA Eagles head coach, Eddie O’ Sullivan has announced his 36 –man preliminary squad for their 2011 RWC preparation, on July 21. 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).
USA Eagles have won two Rugby Union gold medals, which are the only two gold medals, so far offered in the history of the Olympic Games. They won their medals in Belgium and Paris Olympics, by defeating the France on both occasions.
Eagles are not favourites to proceed to the second round of the 2011 RWC. However, keeping in view their recent form, they are favourites to win their Pool game against Russia. They can do an upset against Italy, but defeating Wallabies and Ireland would
be expecting too much from the team.
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