U.S. Embassy, Wellinton New Zealand – USA Rugby – Eagles road to the Rugby World Cup, 2011.
September 9, 2011 5 Comments
From: Taranaki, Daily News Online.
The Taranaki Daily News spoke to ex Taranaki player and USA centre Andrew Suniula at a training session in Wanganui on Thursday. USA will play their first Rugby World Cup 2011 game against Ireland at Stadium Taranaki on Sunday, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Watch video.
USA Eagles training in Wanganui.
September 6, 2011 Leave a comment
From the Wanganui Chronical: USA Eagles are in Wanganui soaking up the sun and meeting the locals. View Photos here.
Eagles training in Wanganui. Click for more photos. PHOTOS BEVAN CONLEY
August 22, 2011 1 Comment
Universal Sports/Reuters
By: Kyle Jones
During a highly contested match at Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground, the USA Eagles took on the Japan National Team in Tokyo. As rain pelted the test field, the players took to their positions in a game that meant a great deal to both sides. Possibly more to the U.S. than any one, as this test match would provide them with considerable preparation against Italy on Sept. 27th.
A roster change of 8, signaled a much needed adjustment from previous matches, as well as a chance to rest the select few that are a shoe in for the RWC. For instance, Capt. Todd Clever, was put on the injured list in order to rest up, yet this match could have been much different with his expertise and knowledge of fellow Suntory teammates. Not to take away from an outstanding job Mike Petri did to lead his Eagles to a thrilling first half lead, a game in which Mike McDonald, racked up the most Caps in USA history (62).
The Eagles showed great defense and athleticism in the first half against Japan dispite the hazardous conditions. With rain coming down and a wet ball, drop passes and missteps were inevitable. Yet, it was USA that took step and used these conditions to their advantage. Kevin Swiryn, number 14, would pick up two intercepts to proved USA with a 14-8 lead, heading into the half. The Eagles clearly dominating the scrum and ball possession early on, yet flirting with disaster anytime a Japan winger gained possession.
As the weather began to clear up , the second half took off with the same fast pace as first half ended with. Coach Kirwan of Japan, was not kidding around when he said his team was going to be the most fit for the RWC. Japan seemed to take over ball possession putting the Eagles on a clear defensive, yet they came up with phenomenal blocks in the red zone despite the ensuing pressure. Midway through the second half, USA’s legs gave out, providing Japan with a lead stealing try. Not giving away anything, the Eagles continued to stop the onslaughts of Japanese offense, compounded by a Paul Emerick break away that could have been a game changer. However, he happened to step out of bounds, deflating the Eagle’s chances at a try, resulting in a quick turn around try for Japan, sealing the fate for the team in white.
A deathly resurgence in the last waning minutes by Tai Enosa, Scott Lavalla, and Shawn Pittman almost brought the Eagles back from nothing but a knock on would prevent a buzzer beater try they so desperately needed. Japan showing their endurance, physically out lasted the Eagles in the final minutes of the second half, holding them off any Eagle attack.
Such a sad sight to see, with the Eagles loosing three straight test matches before they head to the RWC, yet they provided a much better match up then what was presented against Canada. Their communication, kicks under pressure, and over all explosiveness really came to together during this game. The phases rugby seem to function much smoother and defense in the center showed great improvement. Despite the loss, this also gave the coaches an excellent opportunity to preview many of their younger players in an international setting before making their final selections. Look for the 30 select to be choosen for RWC duty this week.
Final: Japan 20 USA 14
Stay tuned for more results.
August 20, 2011 Leave a comment
Eagles XV
By: Dallen Stanford, USA Rugby
Tokyo, Japan – Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has made eight changes to his team that started against Canada in Glendale last weekend. The USA will face Japan at 7.00 p.m on Sunday, August 21, at the Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground with the match available LIVE online at UniversalSports.com at 6 a.m. EST, and delayed on TV at 5:30 p.m. EST.
“Again we have made a number of changes to selection, as this is our final hit out before Rugby World Cup (RWC) and also our last opportunity to take a look at players before we make the final squad announcement,” said O’Sullivan.
The Eagles coaching staff will announce the RWC squad of 30 players following the clash with Japan, with one final chance to book their tickets to the third largest sporting event in the world.
Captain Todd Clever – who plays his club rugby in Tokyo at Suntory Sungoliath – is unavailable due to injury. Scrumhalf Mike Petri will lead the United States this weekend: “I am obviously disappointed for Todd, but I hope to continue the good work he has done, and set an example. I am really looking forward to this opportunity“.
In the forwards veteran Mike MacDonald starts at loosehead prop and will equal the most appearances for an Eagle (62) set by his former teammate, Luke Gross. MacDonald made his debut against Fiji in 2000, and has played in all eight USA matches during the 2003 and 2007 RWC’s. Read more of this post
August 19, 2011 Leave a comment
By Kyle Jones
As we travel to Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis, the question comes to mind: Will this be the place the USA Eagles get their first test match victory before the RWC? Or will the lights, the culture, and allure of Japanese life preoccupy their minds throughout this test? Luckily, this is also the home of Todd Clever, USA Captain and flanker for the Suntory Sungoliath. Will his guidance and home club provide the sanctuary they need in preparation for this challenging test?
Photo Credit: Colin Hawley
In this year’s Churchill Cup, the Eagles took two brutal losses from England B and Tonga before a final bowl win over Russia. Just recently, they again suffered back-to-back losses against Canada, both away and at home. In their third and final test match before taking on Ireland on Sept. 11, they match up against the Cherry Blossoms of Japan. Perhaps the third time will, indeed, be the charm?
With the Eagles playing in six of the last seven Rugby World Cups, they have managed just two wins total – both against Japan. The first came in 1987, the other in 2003. However, don’t let those stats fool you. On USA’s last tour of Japan, in November of 2008, they lost both matches by considerable margins. With Japan coming off a wonderful season with a win at the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, the Eagles can expect tough competition in this match.
Any match-up is an excellent opportunity for the Eagles to prepare for the RWC. It’s Japan’s match against Italy last week that makes this match up-so crucial. Japan did in fact lose last Sunday to Italy, but they led 17-14 at the half. Even with a dismal second half, they brought the game to 28-24 with just 17 minutes to go. But late penalties cost them the game. USA meets Italy on September 27th in Nelson, after their match-up against Australia. If they can dominate Japan physically and retain the lead throughout the game, it will give them the confidence they need to face Italy in the World Cup.
Photo Credit: Eagles XV
Don’t be fooled here by the size of the Japanese team. Their back row might be short, but with both locks at 6’5” and James Arlidge, a big Kiwi fly-half from Hamilton, NZ, they are not to be taken lightly. They happen to have another Kiwi connection on their team, Coach John Kirwan, a former All-Blacks Star, has been coaching there since 2007, bringing Japanese National Rugby to a new level of international success.
In order for the U.S. team to do well in this game, they must cut off the big players and defend their line-outs successfully as they have done in past test matches. Another weakness on the Japanese side is their scrum. Look for the Americans to be overpowering and use this to their advantage, just as Italy did in their test.
As they continue to bond and spend time as a team over the next week, the Eagles will start to function more as a unit. Their passes will be crisper, their kicks will be on target, and their communication will become second nature. In 21 days, when they set foot on New Zealand soil, they will be a family. They will be Eagles XV.
Photo Credit: Eagles XV
August 21: USA vs Japan (Tokyo, Japan) – 7.00pm Watch LIVE online at 6.00am EST on Universal Sports and delayed on TV at 5.30pm EST
August 13, 2011 Leave a comment
Update: Canada 27 USA 7
Watch the USA Eagles claim victory over Canada on their home turf at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO.
Live Coverage on Universal Sports @ 7pm MT 1pm NZ.
Live Twitter Update on @usrugbynz
The USA Eagles will also be hosting a tailgating party with wine tasting, food, and beer prior to the game. It will include a meet and great with current/former USA Eagles players, proceeds to benefit team training prior to the RWC:
More info here: : http://tinyurl.com/3elktp5
August 7, 2011 Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Eagles XV
Toronto – Despite a late comeback from the Eagles, Canada held on for a 28-22 win in front of a record crowd of more than 10,000 at BMO Field. In so doing Canada retain the Can/Am Trophy. The match was aired LIVE on TSN in Canada and Universal Sports in America.
The USA produced some excellent passages of play, scoring three team tries in the process.
Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, said: “We are disappointed, it would have been great to get the win here in Toronto. We let in a couple of tries from very simple errors that really hurt us, and put ourselves under pressure. But we responded well and got back into the game,”
The Eagles will travel back to Glendale, Colorado, tomorrow for what will be a very busy week. The USA Select XV will play the Glendale Raptors on Wednesday August 10 at Infinity Park. Then on Saturday, August 13, the Eagles will take on Canada at the same venue, with kick-off at 7.15 P.M. This match will be broadcast LIVE – both online and on television – through Universal Sports.
“There were plenty of positives against Canada. Our scrum was very solid and our line-out fired well for the most part. We scored some good tries, and with more time together, the team cohesiveness will only improve. We have one week to fine tune things before the return match,” said O’Sullivan. Read more of this post
August 7, 2011 Leave a comment
Photo Credit: USA Rugby
By Kyle Jones
USA gives up early lead to give Canada the win.
Canada 28 USA 22
“Disappointment” has to be the one thing on everyone’s mind after a stunning defeat by Canada today. A confusing start allowed Canada to score unscathed in the 6th minute after a bizarre call that would only set the tone for what was to come. USA overcame some poor kicks by Nese Malifa with two daring tries in the first half.
The fiirst came from Takudzwa Ngwenya after a brilliant pass from Todd Clever. Canada continued with penalties, providing Nese Malifa more opportunities to make good on penalty kicks, yet he failed to convert. Clever took things into his own hands and capitalized on Canada’s weakness: Line Outs. He intercepted one late in the first half, instantly converting it into a try and putting the Eagles up 15-7. The tide would begin to shift just before the half, with USA giving up senseless penalties as well, providing Canada with a penalty kick. The half ended USA 15-10 Canada.
Before you could say, “Bob’s your Uncle” the Eagles did the unthinkable. Nese Malifa dropped a pass back in his own red zone, providing Canada with an instant try and a two-point lead. The Eagles never went back in front.
Canada showed their physical dominance and ability to last the full 80 minutes by pounding out more penalty points and one more try with a quick phase out of an overpowering scrum. The score would climb to 25-15 before USA would even come close to another chance at goal. It would take Tim Usasz, the scrumhalf, to breathe direction and life into a fatigued USA offense. He would get them within meters of a try not once, but twice before Clever would bring it home off a flashy pass from Inaki Basauri.
But their missed opportunities to score just moments earlier cost them precious time and would not allow them to mount another attack before the game was over. With just 1 minute to go, Canada put up its final penalty kick to put the Eagles out of reach. The clock would wind down and USA would squander a first-half lead and hand a close win to Canada.
This game could have gone either way, with both teams playing very different halves. USA dominated possession early, but Canada clearly took advantage of the penalty calls and the fatigue of the USA Eagles.
Some things to watch out for next week at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo.: USA Eagles fixing those poor kicks and maintaining their endurance throughout the match; Canada looking to desperately fix their lineout turnovers and maintaining possession. It should be another exciting match, which will hopefully come out in our favor. Stay tuned for details on tickets and live coverage.
Full Game Replay: Here
Video Highlights: Here
August 6, 2011 Leave a comment
Update: Canada wins 28 to USA 22.
The Eagles – pictured during their team run – will take on Canada tomorrow at BMO Field with more than 10,000 spectators expected! Watch the match LIVE at 2PM ET, 6AM NZT on TV or Online through Universal Sports:
Live Twitter updates during the match
August 4, 2011 Leave a comment
Phillip Thiel, Todd Clever, Chris Biller, Louis Stanfill, Brian McClenahan and Shawn Pittman! Photo Credit: Eagles XV
By: Dallen Stanford, USA Rugby
Glendale, Colo. – Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has named his best possible squad for the Canada encounter set to take place at BMO Field in Toronto on Saturday.
“It’s important that we get a solid start to this August tour, with the Rugby World Cup (RWC) only weeks away. The squad has switched on right from the start, and realize that their RWC campaign is in their hands,” said O’Sullivan.
The 35-man Eagles squad arrived in Glendale on Sunday, July 31, hitting the ground running with two-a-day sessions on both Monday and Tuesday.
“Some players were not available during the Churchill Cup, so this is our first real opportunity to work those combinations that will allow us to achieve our goals,” explained the Head Coach.
The 22-man traveling squad will depart for Toronto on Thursday morning, looking to start their RWC campaign on a high note.
Canada are currently ranked 16th on the IRB World Rankings, one place ahead of the United States. Next week the Eagles will host Canada at Infinity Park on Saturday, August 13, after which the squad will travel to Tokyo to take on Japan on Sunday, August 21.
Two players that are not available for this upcoming match include veteran fullback Chris Wyles and Highlanders winger James Paterson. Wyles is nursing an ankle problem, and Paterson is continuing his rehabilitation.
“We need to give both Chris and James time to get back to full health,” added O’Sullivan.
The Eagles are led by the outstanding Todd Clever, with hard working Louis Stanfill (flank) and Nic Johnson (8th man) completing the loose forwards. In the tight five, the experienced props Mate Moeakiola and Shawn Pittman will look to dominate up front. Phillip Thiel – one of Life University’s standouts – starts at hooker.
Welcome to RugbyUSA, the website focusing on the U.S. Eagles’ road to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, as well as the enduring American passion for the game. Help us here at Embassy Wellington generate buzz for the Eagles by contributing to the website, sending us story and link suggestions, sending us photos and videos, or providing feedback about the site. You can easily reach us here, on Twitter (@usrugbynz) or by email at usrugby.nz@gmail.com . Thanks. We look forward to hearing from you.
| GAME | DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
| vs Ireland | Sep 11 | 18:00 | New Plymouth |
| vs Russia | Sep 15 | 19:30 | New Plymouth |
| vs Australia | Sep 23 | 20:30 | Wellington |
| vs Italy | Sep 27 | 19:30 | Nelson |
|
