USA Eagles June 2012

[Melhor Time]

Canada vs USA, Kingston, Ontario
USA vs Georgia, Glendale, Colorado
USA vs Italy, Houston, Texas

Good schedule. Better than the Churchill Cup.

I am really interested in seeing what happens to the team now with the new coach. Todd Clever is still the captain. The forwards will remain as they were in 2011 minus Hayden Smith who is to play NFL for the New York Jets. Hanno Dirksen who has played for the USA vs Munster could well earn his first cap as it looks like his chances of playing for Wales are complicated. See here. He could very well go on to play flyhalf for the USA at RWC 2015.

Another who could is Callum Black of Ulster who is, of course an American who was raised in England. Ireland want him due to his grandfather but he can´t make the Ulster team. He could, like Dirksen be playing for the Eagles in June. Winger Kevin Swiryn has retired due to injury but was on the outer anyway and Zack Test, Colin Hawley and Blaine Scully can make up for his loss I feel. Glasgow winger Tommy Seymour may well get a call up. Robbie Shaw should return in place of Tim Usasz. I would move Wyles to centre where he has been having a good season for Saracens. Emerick at 12 is better than Suniula. 15 is no issue with all wingers excpet for Ngwenya being good options.

I´d have the two Dirksen and Black in the 22 with the following team for the first June clash vs Canada.

1 MacDonald
2 Biller
3 Pittman
4 van der Giessen
5 LaValla
6 Stanfill
7 Clever (Captain)
8 Manoa
9 Petri
10 Dirksen
11 Paterson
12 Emerick
13 Wyles
14 Ngwenya
15 Scully

16 Thiel
17 Black
18 Johnson
19 Basuari
20 Shaw
21 Malifa
22 Test

 

[Melhor Time]

NFL not rugby but relevent as

1. its Hayden Smith
2. Dave Hodges (USA rugby legend) posted it on facebook

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-jets-player-hayden-smith-brings-to-the-table

 

[welshglory]

And what makes you think Dirksen will be playing for the USA this summer?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

NFL not rugby but relevent as

1. its Hayden Smith
2. Dave Hodges (USA rugby legend) posted it on facebook

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-jets-player-hayden-smith-brings-to-the-table

This news has been posted on the forum already.

Hopefully ThisIsAmerRugby will post his thoughts on the US schedule.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Melhor, LaValla has been playing really well for Paris, but mostly at 6 (or 19, very good impact). I don't know about the needs of the Eagles, but I guess that should be considered.

edit: checking my sources, he has played a fair bit at 6, but has played mostly 4, his "official" position. Two games started at 4, 11 games on the bench, off which: 3 he entered as a lock, 6 he entered as a backrower, 1 he was the replacement lock but didn't feature and 1 he was a replacement backrower but didn't feature.

 

[Melhor Time]

And what makes you think Dirksen will be playing for the USA this summer?

I´m speculating. Its a well known possibility as Dirksen was an age grade player for the USA. He also previously played against Munster for the senior side. If avaliable this June I´d put him in at flyhalf.

I highly doubt Manoa will turn up for the USA matches after the farce of his World Cup selection

and as WelshGlory points out, do you have any quotes from the USA Rugby coaches that they are trying to get Callum Black, Hanno Dirksen and Tommy Seymour to play for the Eagles?

My contact (a former USA player) says Manoa will be in the USA team. Now that he hwas a new, fulltime contract with Northampton there will be no issues like last year.

All have been approached by US authorities according to my source. Can´t share it with anyone sorry! There are other players the USA are trying to get too.

Melhor, LaValla has been playing really well for Paris, but mostly at 6 (or 19, very good impact). I don't know about the needs of the Eagles, but I guess that should be considered.

edit: checking my sources, he has played a fair bit at 6, but has played mostly 4, his "official" position. Two games started at 4, 11 games on the bench, off which: 3 he entered as a lock, 6 he entered as a backrower, 1 he was the replacement lock but didn't feature and 1 he was a replacement backrower but didn't feature.

LaValla definetly works on the side of the scrum. But Stanfill and Johnson are great 6´s and Clever a World Class 7. Now that Smith is in the NFL only van der Giessen and Manoa remain as notable secondrowers, asude from LaValla. Manoa has been effetive for Northampton at 8 this season so I´d try him there.

The issue is 10-12. Nobody playing pro at the top level. Suniula is at the Cornish Pirates but he is not a playmaker and it would be better to move Emerick to 12 to give Wyles more of a role at 13. 10 is really lacking.. Dirksen are you listening???

 

[Peat]

Tbh, I find it extremely believable that the Americans are chasing every European pro player with American ties, but don't want to announce it in public to avoid looking like penises. I don't see why you'd need to cast doubt on that.

And, in all three cases, we are talking about players with genuine international ambitions where they already are. Black's ambitions are probably the least realistic, but equally he must aware that the moment he agrees to a US cap he's ended his Ulster career.

 

[LittleGuy]

They just released on twitter and through their other channels that they are now accepting Nomination forms for players interested in being part of the Men's National Team or you can nominate someone you know, I guess they must be looking desperately for a little depth if they scouting the men's team like a Job Application website. I know it's been kind of a rough year for American rugby but their setup is better than this.

http://https://usarugby.org/#cc%3D%5BApplication%5D%5C%5CStructure%5C%5CContent%5C%5CBrand%20Resource%20Center%5C%5CContent%5C%5CHome%5C%5C20907F3F-1296-67BD-B97F-842B448A46E7%5C%5C23181D59-134B-5319-F060-CE40C1E783BA%5C%5C23181D59-1363-C86B-C59E-6491C7C35BC3%7B%7BTab%3AView%7D%7D

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I think the opposite, it's a clever idea, might unearth the next big US player. It's another way to recruit players.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think the opposite, it's a clever idea, might unearth the next big US player. It's another way to recruit players.

It's possible that there will be a diamond in the rough somewhere in there, but it might also be a very time consuming process that leads to finding a bunch of medicore guys.

Edit: I can't wait for Rugby Canada to follow suit!!!!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pretty crazy way to go about it, but as Cymro says, it could well uncover someone special.
Think how many players there are with the potential that aren't seen due to Rugby being such a small sport in the USA.

O'Rothlain should nominate himself!
About time we had another international player on here!

 

[LittleGuy]

Pretty crazy way to go about it, but as Cymro says, it could well uncover someone special.
Think how many players there are with the potential that aren't seen due to Rugby being such a small sport in the USA.

O'Rothlain should nominate himself!
About time we had another international player on here!

Thinking about it my silly jokes aside... part of the problem is the sheer geographic size of the States with regards to finding players, this could be an O.K. way of trying to find guys who've fallen through the cracks. Hopefully no one abuses this and nominates Mike Hunt, or I.P. Freeley or something.

 

[ThisIsAmerRugby]

Why not spread the net wide? U.S.A. Rugby is after every player they can possibly get.

In regards to Hanno Dirksen, he may in fact be tied to the U.S. The match he played with the Eagles against Munster wouldn't tie him to the team but the match he played with the Eagles Select XV against New Zealand Heartland might. It would be nice to have Dirksen in the side. He is a fantastic players that would be a big part of the team going forward but if there is one position in which the U.S. is "stacked" it is the wingers. Ngwenya, Wyles, Paterson, and Scully are all terrific players. Plus there is always young wingers coming through the pipeline.

Seymour seems like more a stretch. He seems pretty committed to playing for either Scotland or Ireland.

Black might have the best chance of the three to appear in the summertime. Mike MacDonald isn't getting any younger. Neither is Mate Moeakiola. There is definitely room for Black on the side and might fit in very well. If I had to bet money, I would think he appears.

Of the other players in Europe, Samu Manoa will definitely be with the Eagles barring and injury. Seta Tuilevuka should be healthy by then and could be on the Eagles team. The team certainly needs depth at centre and Seta is a great option.

So here is who I think will be on the team:

1. MacDonald
2. Biller (who has done well getting experience in Europe)
3. Pittman
4. Manoa
5. LaValla (let's face it, this guy can play anywhere)
6. Stanfill
7. Clever
8. Johnson
9. Petri
10. R. Suniula
11. Wyles
12. A. Suniula
13. Emerick
14. Ngwenya
15. Paterson

16. Fry
17. Black
18. Gagiano
19. Mokate (who by all accounts has done well in New Zealand)
20. S. Tuilevuka
21. Shaw
22. Hawley

Blaine Scully is hurt and will be out for awhile. John van der Giessen hasn't played since the World Cup so I would be surprised if he was included in the team.

 

[Draggs]

Why not spread the net wide? U.S.A. Rugby is after every player they can possibly get.

In regards to Hanno Dirksen, he may in fact be tied to the U.S. The match he played with the Eagles against Munster wouldn't tie him to the team but the match he played with the Eagles Select XV against New Zealand Heartland might. It would be nice to have Dirksen in the side. He is a fantastic players that would be a big part of the team going forward but if there is one position in which the U.S. is "stacked" it is the wingers. Ngwenya, Wyles, Paterson, and Scully are all terrific players. Plus there is always young wingers coming through the pipeline.

No, it doesn't. I believe NZ Maori or JAB is their second side.

 

[LittleGuy]

What do you guys think of their chances this summer? I think the Georgian game is their best chance at a win although they might get past Canada, if Canada are looking ahead too much to the Italy game.

The defence of the American team has been good for some time, but now the attack needs to be improved, the pick and go wasn't unlocking the speedy wings. I saw games where the Eagles dominated possesion but didn't put up many points, the 2nd test against Canada last summer being an egregious example of this. Will Suniula handle the kicking duties again? He struggled last summer in that role.

 

[ThisIsAmerRugby]

I think that the Eagles will get past Georgia but struggle against Canada. You guys spend so much time together that you really come together as a team. I also think it depends on what kind of team Italy sends. I could totally see them packing it in and sending a B/C team. If that is the case, I can see them losing to either the Eagles or Canada. Plus, the USA-Italy match is sandwiched between the Canada-Italy and Argentina-Italy matches so they might run out the second string players against the Eagles.

Paterson should be taking the kicks and did a decent job at the World Cup. He has been taking the kicks with Glendale and doing a good job so I expect that to continue. Overall though, you are right, the attack needs improvement. Maybe Mike Tolkin will find the secret of how to unlock Taku Ngwenya on the wing.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think that the Eagles will get past Georgia but struggle against Canada. You guys spend so much time together that you really come together as a team. I also think it depends on what kind of team Italy sends. I could totally see them packing it in and sending a B/C team. If that is the case, I can see them losing to either the Eagles or Canada. Plus, the USA-Italy match is sandwiched between the Canada-Italy and Argentina-Italy matches so they might run out the second string players against the Eagles.

Paterson should be taking the kicks and did a decent job at the World Cup. He has been taking the kicks with Glendale and doing a good job so I expect that to continue. Overall though, you are right, the attack needs improvement. Maybe Mike Tolkin will find the secret of how to unlock Taku Ngwenya on the wing.

I'm intrigued to see this as well, will Italy make a push to try and improve their World Cup seeding or will they just send an average side. My guess is that it will be a strong but not exceptional Italian side with a couple of really good players missing but the core still there. I think Brunel really wants to get a feel on his team, but I also think you have a great point about some 2nd string players getting a shot at the U.S.A. and possibly Canada. I have heard that the Georgian side will have trouble getting some Top 14 players hopefully that changes as the Lelos could struggle missing key players especially in away tests.

I'm still 50/50 about actually attending the Canada vs. USA game it's about a 4 hour drive for me, have you heard anything about the USA Tests being televised AmerRugby? I would assume if either Canada or the USA decide to televise it the other country will pick up the simulcast, as happened last year with the home and away games between our countries.

 

[RuggerUA]

Does anyone know if Phil Thiel is completely finished with rugby? He did a pretty good job in the front row at RWC, and he is still young enough to be close to prime age for 2015 World Cup (should be age 31 then). I heard he was flirting with the idea of playing rugby league? It is a shame if he's lost to US rugby.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Does anyone know if Phil Thiel is completely finished with rugby? He did a pretty good job in the front row at RWC, and he is still young enough to be close to prime age for 2015 World Cup (should be age 31 then). I heard he was flirting with the idea of playing rugby league? It is a shame if he's lost to US rugby.

Yep he moved to Atlanta Legion RLC to play League.

http://www.amnrl.com/news/thiel-joins-legion

 

[LittleGuy]

I hadn't checked the rankings in a while. I didn't realise how far back of Ireland that Italy was I think your right Psychic that is an unclosable gap.