O'Sullivan unveils USA squad

[TRF_Cymro]

US Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan has named five players based in England for their Churchill Cup campaign next month.

http://www.espnscrum.com/churchill-cup-2011/rugby/story/140376.html​

USA squad:

Forwards: Inaki Basauri (L' Aquila), Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath), Pat Danahy (Life University), Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks), JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town), Nic Johnson (unattached), Will Johnson (London Irish), Danny LaPrevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate), Scott LaValla (unattached), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Shawn Pittman (London Welsh), 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), Mike Palefau (Utah Warriors), Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Mile Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate), Junior Sifa (Nottingham), Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins), Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby), Kevin Swiryn (Agen), Zack Test (unattached), Tim Usasz (Nottingham).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No Ngwenya?
Resting him until the WC I presume?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Aye resting some players apparently.

 

[Charles]

No Seta Tuilevuka? He's been playing well, if not spectacularly for Montpellier...

 

[Feicarsinn]

Woohoo, Scot LaValla. A fine TCD player if there ever was one

 

[psychic duck]

I thought Mike Petri played for the Dragons, he wasn't in their list of released players

and I thought van der Giessen played for Bath also

Chris Wyles, Hanno Dirksen, Tommy Seymour, Seta Tuilevuka, Takudzwa Ngwenya and Paul Emerick must be in the World Cup squad

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Emerick is there in the squad ...

 

[m0rris]

and I thought van der Giessen played for Bath also

JVDG was injury cover during the American off season to cover for Scott Hobson (IIRC) and after Chrimbo he went straight back to play in the USA.

m0rris

 

[psychic duck]

JVDG was injury cover during the American off season to cover for Scott Hobson (IIRC) and after Chrimbo he went straight back to play in the USA.

he was still playing matches later than CHristmas though

 

[Draggs]

I thought Mike Petri played for the Dragons, he wasn't in their list of released players

and I thought van der Giessen played for Bath also

Chris Wyles, Hanno Dirksen, Tommy Seymour, Seta Tuilevuka, Takudzwa Ngwenya and Paul Emerick must be in the World Cup squad

No, he left after the US wanted him playing over there (apparently).
I'd be surprised if Dirksen appears with the US, he still on South Africa's radar. http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3561_6925216,00.html

 

[m0rris]

Apologies PD, he was indeed playing up until the end of January... but after his last game he went straight back to the USA for the foreseeable future.

m0rris

 

[Nielsch]

Why is Zack Test unattached? From what I've seen he's a decent player!

 

[Melhor Time]

No doubt experimental with the Churchill Cup in mind.... Friends, Let me try to answer everyone in one post...

- Taku Ngwenya has officially been rested as have a number of others like Chris Wyles.

- Seta Tuilevuka has been rested too. He is ont rack to start at 3 at the World Cup. (I am friends with a former USA sevens player who knows his ****)

- Mike Petri was a, as they say in France, medical joker for the Newport Gwent Dragons. Short term deal now ended.

- John van der Giessen was also on a short term deal. He left Bath in March. Hayden Smith just extended his stay at Saracanes for 2 more years. He is out of the Churchill Cup as Premier Rugby wont release him.

- Zack Test has been a sevens specialist. Given time in the USA Sevens team as an attempt to be ready, should the USA need him, in place of their European pros.

 

[Jockstap]

What would a full strength USA team look like?

 

[Melhor Time]

What would a full strength USA team look like?

I would select...

15 Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
14 Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
13 Seta Tuilevuka (Montpellier, France)
12 Andrew Suniula (Chicago)
11 Kevin Swiryn (Agen, France)
10 Valenese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (Newport-Gwent Dragons, Wales)
8 Nic Johnson (L´Aquila, Italy)
7 Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath, Japan)
6 Louis Stanfil (Mogliano, Italy)
5 John van der Giessen (Bath, England)
4 Hayden Smith (Saracens, England)
3 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
2 Philip Thiel (Life University)
1 Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93, France)

Reserves: 16 Chris Biller (USA), 17 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie, England), 18 Samu Manoa (Northampton, England), 19 JJ Gagiano (Kings, South Africa), 20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England), 21 Tai Enosa (USA), 22 Paul Emerick (Ulster, Ireland)

<TAGHW>Jogadores Adicionais:</TAGHW> 23 Brian McClenahan (USA), 24 Will Johnson (London Irish, Enlgand), 25 Scott Lavalla (USA), 26 Patrick Danahy (USA), 27 Iñaki Basauri (L`Aquila, Italy), 28 Volney Rouse (USA), 29 Zachary Test (USA) , 30 Miles Craigwell (USA).

If interested check out my RWC USA preview (in Brazilian Portuguese): http://www.rugbymania.com.br/2009/ver_noticia08.asp?codigo=4209

 

[ranger]

Is Don Pati injured or just overooked?