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Ireland's most successful coach of the modern era of rugby union is now at the helm of this USA squad. Eddie O'Sullivan won 3 triple crowns with Ireland and is credited with taking the team to a level where they were consistently competitive against the best national sides in the world. O'Sullivan replaced Scott Johnson who went on to coach the Ospreys.
Taking a look at the 36-man preliminary squad that O'Sullivan has selected, I have selected my best XV and the rest heading into September.
15 Chris Wyles (Saracens)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique)
13 Junior Sifa (Nottingham)
12 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
11 James Paterson (Highlanders)
10 Valenese Malifa (Glendale Raptors)
9 Mike Petri (NYAC RFC)
8 Jonathan Gagiano (Eastern Province Kings)
7 Louis Stanfill (Mogliano)
6 Todd Clever (Suntory)
5 Scott LaValla (Stade Français)
4 Hayden Smith (Saracens)
3 Will Johnson (London Irish)
2 Chris Biller (SFGG RFC)
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
16 Phil Thiel (Life University)
17 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
18 John van der Giessen (Utah Warriors)
19 Inaki Basauri (Périgueux)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham)
21 Zachary Test (Unattached)
22 Colin Hawley (Unattached)
23 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Black Jacks)
24 Cameron Dolan (Life University)
25 Patrick Danahy (Life University)
26 Nicholas Johnson (Unattached)
27 Roland Suniula (Boston)
28 Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates)
29 Paul Emerick (Life University)
30 Kevin Swiryn (Agen)
The lonely Americans
There are a few players that have left their clubs in time for the Rugby World Cup this year. With no contract to bind them these players will be free to move if they can catch the eyes of bigger clubs. There are few players that we should keep an eye.
Zachary Test has played in England during his time in university and has a tremendous raw skill set to go along with experience in rugby sevens for the national team. The winger is only 21 and is known to utilize the strongarm well due to his long wingspan. His strength is an issue, but he could steal the show this tournament for the Eagles.
Colin Hawley playing for the Eagles
I don't expect Z-Test to start from the get-go, but if James Paterson isn't playing well we should see him or out there in no time. Colin Hawley can play fullback and wing and will likely be fighting for a spot on the team as well. He's a powerful player and could also prove valuable to the squad if given the opportunity to play. I would like to see him start, but the fullback position and both wings are quite jammed.
Forwards
There are ten forwards in the current training squad for the RWC that ply their trade overseas. Most are familiar with workhorse captain Todd Clever, Louis Stanfill (scored a try against Samoa and Tonga in 2007), as well as props Will Johnson and Mike MacDonald, but what about the others?
Lock Scott LaValla recently moved from Dublin University to Stade Français. He was elected club captain during his last season in Dublin and captained the club to a dramatic 31-22 win in the annual Dublin Universities Colors match. He's young, powerful and has a good head on his shoulders. LaValla may be a future star forward for the Eagles.
Scott LaValla (l) and Louis Stanfill (r)
Flanker Inaki Basauri has experience at the club level. Since the 2007 RWC he has played with Lannemezan when the club achieved their difficult promotion back to professional rugby in France. He proved to be an important piece to their squad and it didn't take long for professional clubs to take notice. He has since moved on to play in Italy for L'Aquila.
6 feet 7 inches lock Hayden Smith and prop Shawn Pittman may also come up big for the Eagles. Smith plays for Saracens in the Premiership. He has been working hard this summer as he has apparently bulked up to 245 lbs. Pittman is only 23 and currently plays for the London Welsh in the RFU Championship.
No Hercus
Fly-half Mike Hercus has been left out of the preliminary squad cut. I'm not sure if he's injured, but he is the national team's highest scorer of all-time. His replacement in Valenese Malifa is an underrated penalty kicker that O'Sullivan has shown confidence in.
A rock with holes in the back
The national team's backs have improved since we last seen their talent crop back in 2007. This tournament should prove interesting since Z Ngwenya and Wyles will be returning. The wing position is filled with quality talent and Tai Enosa could be the young centre the team has been hoping for. Still, there are holes in the back that need to be filled.
American Samoan Tai Enosa representing the Eagles
I haven't been impressed with Paul Emerick from his last season at Ulster. I don't see him as a starter, but he may be given the role due to his experience. Maybe he can turn things around, but I'd like to see other players out there. The scrum-half position has never been much to look at for the squad. Mike Petri was picked up by Newport last season and let go not long after. He doesn't have the physical talent to lead the team at that position. Tim Usasz may be a good alternative, but he's not much to cough at either. Back to Valenese Malifa, we'll have to see how he copes with replacing a national legend that ranks 20th all-time on the international scoring list.
Looking ahead to New Zealand
It is good to hear that the Eagles are confident right now despite poor performances over the last year. Some bad losses have dropped them down the international ranking where they currently sit just above Russia. They will have to play with respect going into the tournament as the fourth lowest ranked team. With that, keep in mind that this is not the same squad that went into France.
The United States have made it clear that they will be going into their first match against Ireland to win. I'm sure that their coach wants nothing more than to show up his old team, but let's be realistic. If the United States were to beat Ireland it would be the biggest upset in RWC history. Can they do it? It would take a collapse and a perfect game all at once.
They have their best chance at a win against Russia in their second match. Russia faced the United States a few months ago and the match was leveled five times before the Eagles were finally able to put their opponents away. Both sides were quite evenly matched so this one should be exciting.
The Aussies will have no trouble putting the United States away in their third match. What the Eagles need to look at is making sure that the loss isn't too great. Considering that most of the players that made the cut are under the age of 30 you don't want to blow the confidence of that young core. In their final match against Italy the Eagles will be looking to go out with a bang. I think that on their best day they do stand a chance.
Ultimately the Eagles will be looking to pick up a win or two with their pacey wingers and solid forwards and gain national attention for the sport. Unlike previous Rugby World Cups, this one will be televised nationally by NBC, a standard station. This means that anyone with a digital converter box will be able to watch the 2011 Rugby World Cup in it's entirety. This could be the year for this sport in the United States.
- Chis S.
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