[EOYT] U.S.A. vs. New Zealand Maori. 09/11/13

[Darwin]

Quite a few changes to the Maori starting lineup. I do like the look of this starting lineup a bit more though. Barring the injury enforced change at hooker the tight-five remains the same, but there are a couple of changes in the loosies. The inclusion of Christie at 6 gives the Maori side even more mobility, which I think suits their gameplan. Given neither Braid of Christie are genuine lineout options I can understand why they included Thomson at 8, as he is an excellent lineout jumper.

Gibson-Park starts again at halfback - he is still very erratic, but he can be electric with ball in hand. I'm glad West has been give the nod at 10. He has had an outstanding season for Hawkes Bay, and Bateman was pretty average at 10 versus Canada. My only concern is that both Gibson-Park and West are both inexperienced. Bateman is far better off at 12, and it is good to see both Baker and Proctor get starts on the wing (though any combination of the outside back options would probably do a good job).

 

[dasNdanger]

Alas, I won't be making the game. I wanted to, but some things came up last minute and it's just impossible now. :-(

If rugby continues to grow in popularity here, hopefully this will be the first - and not the last - of like matches in the area.

Hopefully.

das

 

[usausa]

USA Lineup
1. Nick Wallace, Olympic Club (St. Mary's)
2. Phil Tiel, Life University
3. Shawn Pittman, Seattle-OPSB
4. Scott LaValla, Stade Francais (Trinity)
5. Tai Tuisamoa, OMBAC
6. Todd Clever (c), NTT Communications (Nevada)
7. Peter Dahl, Belmont Shore
8. Cam Dolan, Life University
9. Mike Petri, NYAC (Penn State)
10. Toby L'Estrange, NYAC (Sydney Universities)
11. Tim Maupin, Olympic Club (St. Mary's)
12. Andrew Suniula, Wasps
13. Seamus Kelly, U. California
14. Luke Hume, Unattached
15. Adam Siddall, Old Blue

Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio, Glendale (Loyola Marymount)
17. ***i Lamositele, Saracens (Chuckanut U19s)
18. Oliver Kilifi, Seattle-OPSB
19. Graham Harriman, Metropolis (Minnesota-Duluth)
20. Kyle Sumsion, BYU
21. Shaun Davies, BYU
22. Zach Pangelinan, OMBAC
23. Folau Niua, USA 7s team

 

[norcalbuff]

Scott LaValla out with an injury. Harriman to lock, Cullen to the bench.

 

[dasNdanger]

Wish I could have gone, but will be watching live from home on Fox Soccer Plus. Not too disappointed about not going - a LOT has come up this past week and it would have made life a bit stressful trying to squeeze the game in (it's a good hour and a half/two hours away).


das

 

[Toko_11]

Anyone watching this ? Is the attendance Good ? they should hold more internationals around here... Colorado is quite far off..
also whats going on in the game I don't have Fox Sukker plus

 

[dasNdanger]

Anyone watching this ? Is the attendance Good ? they should hold more internationals around here... Colorado is quite far off..
also whats going on in the game I don't have Fox Sukker plus

I'm watching right now - the stadium is PACKED!!! Sold out! WOO! The atmosphere is electric, too - the crowd sounds really excited! Almost like a football (soccer) crowd - lots of chanting and whistling and cheering.


Score right now is NZ 7 - US 6.


das

 

[LittleGuy]

7-6 for the Maori half an hour in Cam Dolan with a great intercept but just not the legs to score. U.S.A. are doing well in defence after a hesitant start but are right in this one. Wish they would show some more attacking flair, mostly pick and go or forwards plowing through.

 

[CDN_Rugby]

The Eagles are looking pretty good so far, too bad we can't say the same thing about the commentary. I cringe every time I hear these cheerleaders.

 

[psychic duck]

Love the US commentator's enthusiasm.

 

[LittleGuy]

Eagles with an amazing ten minutes there, absolutely throwing every thing they had at the Maori very unlucky not to be in the lead.

 

[Toko_11]

DAAAAMN I'm missing a good game *_*

 

[usausa]

Eagles just playing out of their mind right now, and it's nice to hear Brian Vizard doing color and not Brian Hightower.

 

[dasNdanger]

The Eagles are looking pretty good so far, too bad we can't say the same thing about the commentary. I cringe every time I hear these cheerleaders.

Love the US commentator's enthusiasm.

I HATE US commentary. To me it's flat and boring. They have gotten a bit better than a few years back, but not good enough for me. I'm used to the 'Bill McLaren' sort of commentary, with the flowery descriptions of play ("all arms and legs like a mad octopus"), and the kiwis with their wicked-mean sense of humor and inside jokes.

I understand why they cheer on the US so much (afterall, they are trying to stir up enthusiasm for the sport in this country), but I do wish they were a bit more familiar with the NZ players so that the commentary wasn't so one-sided.

End of first half - NZ 7 - US 9.


das

 

[LittleGuy]

Wonder if the drop goal would have been a good option there just before half time.

 

[psychic duck]

This is a good game.

USA resurrecting the performance from Romania. Can they keep it up? They could have been further ahead.

 

[dasNdanger]

Eagles just playing out of their mind right now, and it's nice to hear Brian Vizard doing color and not Brian Hightower.

About 12 years ago when Vizard hosted a rugby show on what was then Fox Sports World, I wrote in a letter about why I love the game, and won a jersey (Wallabies). Problem was that I never got the jersey because they had my wrong e-mail (one I never check). FINALLY, after a couple phone calls and such, we got things straightened out and Vizard - on the show - gave a special call out to me - by name - to say the jersey was on its way.

I was quite embarrassed. :blush:


das

 

[norcalbuff]

Wallace and Siddall are having great games. Suniula has been very good too and Harriman has done a good job. What's most impressive about this performance is that they are doing this with several key players missing.

 

[dasNdanger]

@ usausa - You might enjoy this...

Remember, this was about 12 years ago. Also, keep in mind that I'm a woman. Fox had just started airing rugby in this country. When I called Fox about my missing jersey, you wanna know the FIRST thing they asked me?

"Can you explain to us why so many women love rugby?"

I told 'em it was all about the thighs.



das

 

[Toko_11]

Ouchiee i got excited for a bit there