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The Eagles have landed in Japan in preparation for their last World Cup warm-up match against Japan. That means it is crunch time for those on the fringe and as of yet there is no word on any roster cuts, but that doesn't mean the speculate can't begin!. Over the last two weeks Eddie O'Sullivan's team has played three games that supposed to help whittle down the final roster. So after those three games (two against Canada and one against local club Glendale), who might be in and who might be out? Here will take a look at the numbers to help determine the Eagles final roster. Tomorrow, we'll give our actual predictions and roster breakdown.
The Numbers:11 players started both tests against Canada: Pittman, van der Giessen, Smith, Stanfill, Clever, N. Johnson, Malifa, A. Suniula, Emerick, Ngwenya, and Scully.
- All of these players are essentially guaranteed to make the World Cup squad.
- Of those players, only Moeakiola and Swiryn did not make the bench for the other test. For Moeakiola this may not be significant, he played well in his match and it seemed that O'Sullivan made a direct swap with MacDonald, along with letting Fry see what he could do in that position.
- For Swiryn, his being dropped from the squad is more significant. Colin Hawley played well replacing him may mean that while he once found himself as an almost automatic starter, Kevin Swiryn may find himself on the outside looking in come World Cup time. Possibly depending on the health of other wingers.
- The other players, Thiel and Biller, Petri and Usasz, were straight swaps to see who would play better starting.
- While these players may still be on the bubble, their constant inclusion in the 22 and time seen on the pitch bodes well for their inclusion. Fry is a good option in the front three, R. Suniula is the only real back up to Nese Malifa, and Enosa is a useful utility man along the back line.
- These players are all intertwined are essentially battling against each other for playing time and roster space.
- LaValla was at a funeral for the first match. He is a good upcoming player and would likely have been on the bench, or starting in the first match.
- The real position battle seems to be between Basauri and Gagiano who will fill up the last space along the back-row. Gagiano has not been on the injury list so it looks like Basauri has the inside track. Still, their inclusions on the game day roster may mean they are both being included in the squad.
- If healthy, both players would be almost certain to make the roster. As it stands, Wyles's experience with the team seems to make him a lock, that is unless his injury would keep him out of almost the entire tournament.
- Paterson is certainly experienced and would add a lot to the team. However, not knowing the playing system and being out of fitness may cost him a spot on the roster.
- Of those players, McClenahan, Hall, and Sifa were all injured an unable to play in the last match against Canada. McClenahan was unlikely to play anyway, but the inability of Hall and Sifa to play may have cost them a spot on the World Cup roster. Their absence, plus the absence of Paterson and Wyles meant that only three players (Emerick, A. Suniula, and Enosa) were really capable of playing Centre. Still, if they had done enough in practice and against Glendale, it might be enough to secure a place on the roster.
- Without injury and only appearing in the match against Glendale most likely means that W. Johnson, Dolan, Danahy, Shaw, and Test are on the outside looking in.
Blog by ThisIsAmerRugby
