2013 Pacific Nations Cup: Japan v USA

[dudeabides]

Japan v United States of America, Tokyo
14:10 local, 05:10 GMT, 01:10 EDT
Airs on the line from: http://www.irb.com/live/video.html the 2nd part of the doubleheader following up the big one of the PNC 2013.

I'm without the Japanese squad but here is USA's:

USA Lineup to Face Japan
1. Shawn Pittman
2. Chris Biller
3. Eric Fry
4. Brian Doyle
5. Lou Stanfill
6. Scott LaValla
7. Peter Dahl
8. Todd Clever
9. Mike Petri
10. Toby L’Estrange
11. James Paterson
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Adam Siddall
14. Luke Hume
15. Chris Wyles

Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Nick Wallace
18. Phil Thiel
19. Cam Dolan
20. Liam Murphy
21. Robbie Shaw
22. Seamus Kelly
23. Blaine Scully

http://www.rugbymag.com/usa-men/8430-few-changes-for-eagles-to-face-japan.html

 

[tenpm]

Here's the Japanese squad off http://sakura.rugby-japan.jp/japan/2013/id20181.html

Players:
1. Masataka Mikami
2. Shota Horie
3. Hiroshi Yamashi-ta (the hyphen's to stop the censor)
4. Hitoshi Ono
5. Shoji Ito
6. Hendrik Tui
7. Michael Broadhurst
8. Takashi Kikutani
9. Fumiaki Tanaka
10. Harumichi Tatekawa
11. Kenki Fukuoka
12. Craig Wing
13. Male Sau
14. Toshiaki Hirose (c)
15. Ayumu Goromaru

Reserves:
16. Takeshi Kizu
17. Yusuke Nagae
18. Kensuke Hatakeyama
19. Shinya Makabe
20. Justin Ives
21. Atsushi Hisawa
22. Yu Tamura
23. Yoshikazu Fujita

 

[norcalbuff]

I'm honestly not that concerned at the moment about our first choice side. It's clear we have a big depth problem but we've known that for awhile. We played a number of second choice players against Canada and Fiji so it was no surprise to me that we lost those matches. The Ireland match was a decent performance and the Tonga match was a **** one. So basically our first choice side has had one decent performance this summer and one **** one.

The two biggest concerns right now are the scrum and the midfield. The scrum is a known issue and really the only decent short term solution is to get one or two of the USA eligible props playing Pro 12 to play for us (Dave Ryan, Tim Ryan, Callum Black). Contractual issues make that unlikely right now but perhaps that will change when the RWC draws closer. For the midfield, the attack is really missing the hard running of Emerick in the centers. He'll be back for Canada in the RWCQs but he's 33 and we need to develop some other options. Our best hopes in the centers (Paul Lasike and Thretton Palamo) are currently playing college football which prevents them from playing for the Eagles but hopefully they will be back in the fold soon. Another midfield option would be to try and poach American-born Marcel Brache.

As an aside, the try scored against Fiji was hardly with the result already decided. It was scored in the first half and the score was 17-10 at halftime.

 

[LittleGuy]

What's gone on with the USA right now? They did reasonably well against Ireland apart from the scrum.

I know a few were rested for Fiji. But that performance in front of their home crowd against Tonga was one of the flattest and lamest I've seen from them for a while. Tonga weren't even that strong to be honest.

Also the fact that USA have scored 1 try (in a game where the result was already decided) in 4 matches does not speak well of their attack. All the other teams in the PNC have scored tries in every match.

This should be an interesting game. Raeburn Shield at stake. USA rested players on Wednesday, whilst Japan only rested the props and locks so the USA should be slightly fresher. But Japan have home advantage.

Sorry I didn't get back to you on the Canada vs. Japan thread PD. My brain is saying a narrow Japanese win, but heart says the Eagles pick one up and win the Raeburn so we can claim it from them in August!!!! Seriously though I think the Eagles have been pretty solid defensively it's just been creating attacking oppourtunities. The Blossoms scrum isn't too strong so the US shouldn't be at a huge disadvantage here, this could be a very similar game to the Japan vs. Canada one.

 

[usausa]

Agreed. The US have lacked any solid opportunities to attack, 10 has been a huge problem in my opinion this summer. I feel like there may some miscommunications between the support staff and players and players to players about how the game is to be played. They just seem to either give up too easy if they don't get it right quick, or they make baffling decisions, or they just look to get out of a pattern and shape.

 

[canadafan]

Congrats to Clever on his 50th test cap! One of my favourite Eagles.

 

[usausa]

Hopefully the Eagles will show up tonight, they have yet to put together a complete game people know they are capable of this summer. Japan will be a stern test though, very technical and patterned side. USA will need to front up in defense like they have done well so far, they just need to string some phases together and play some error-free attacking rugby. The personnel are talented enough to execute the more expansive game plan put in place by Mike Tolkin, they just need to focus on it and stick to it.

 

[dudeabides]

LaValla carries a tune like none other heh.

 

[usausa]

And USA down, Japan try to Yoshikazu Fujita in the 7th, started by penalty at scrum

 

[usausa]

Beautiful conversion from Ayumu Goromaru in the 8th. 7-0 Japan

 

[norcalbuff]

Scrum is just ridiculous at this point. Ref should call advantage over from a knock on as soon as we gain possession.

 

[usausa]

This is ridiculous, USA forwards keep getting isolated in same way pattern and Japan getting easy turnovers. USA trying to play quickly but you can't run the punch pattern with only 1 forward and no support.

 

[dudeabides]

Awesome try by Wyles, from LaValla from Hume great work the turnover started it I know.

 

[usausa]

Just as I say that, Chris Biller creates a turnover, Luke Hume gets a pass down the right side, creates a break, and finished off by Chris Wyles in the 16th.

*Wyles conversion in the 18th. 7-7.

 

[norcalbuff]

Japan definitely telegraphing some of their moves which is leading to some big hits and turnovers. Nice try.

 

[dudeabides]

Fryprop is in there! This is an exciting one, huh?

 

[usausa]

21st USA Try to Eric Fry after great wide attacking play by the USA, was 15 phases leading to it. Great patience. 23rd min conversion attempt by Wyles no good.

USA 12-7 Japan 23rd min

 

[usausa]

25th min JPN try 13 Male Sa'u
26th min JPN con no good 15 Ayumu Goromaru

USA 12-12 Japan, 30th

 

[dudeabides]

Man, that was a hell of a try by 13 plowing through. At least they missed the conversion too and it's still level.


Edit: it was until the Japanese penalty on the breakdown led to a long penalty kick by Wyles 15-12.

 

[usausa]

31st min USA pen 15 Chris Wyles good

USA 15-12 Japan, 31st min