USA Eagles June 2012

[ThisIsAmerRugby]

The U.S.A. matches should be on TV. I believe that Universal Sports is picking them up. Whether that means they will end up on the NBS Sports Network, I'm not too sure.

 

[Melhor Time]

Italy are never going to get into the top 8 seeds for the World Cup in their rankings so they shouldn't worry too much about their ranking as they will be third ranked in their group no matter what

something dramatic would have to happen for the top 8 nations to change, it's basically a battle between France, England and Wales to be in the top four seeds

[TABLE="class: table_main, width: 1"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD="class: l"]1(1)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

NEW ZEALAND[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]91.43[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]2(2)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

AUSTRALIA[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]87.99[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]3(3)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

SOUTH AFRICA[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]84.34[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]4(4)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

ENGLAND[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]83.62[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]5(5)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

WALES[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]83.32[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]6(6)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

FRANCE[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]81.91[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]7(7)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

ARGENTINA[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]80.28[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]8(8)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

IRELAND[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]79.85[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]9(9)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

TONGA[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]76.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]10(10)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

SAMOA[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]75.81[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]11(11)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

ITALY[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]74.17[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: l"]12(12)[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]

SCOTLAND[/TD]
[TD="class: l"]73.86[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

South Africa could well drop down given the many changes that the team is going to have.

Italy and Scotland will go ahead of Samoa and Tonga in June. Italy will get good a rankings boost from its North American tests and Scotland from its game vs Samoa. The one vs Fiji won´t see Sotland gain much at all though. Italy have New Zealand, Tonga and Australia in November with only the Tonga match going to effect its rankings. Italy can, therefore, go up by quite a lot of points but need for Ireland to keep losing. So, indeed, the teams in the second bracket look pretty safe from those in the third.

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.

Ulster don´t use him - he is American anyway not just a guy with American ties. Tommy Seymour is from the USA too. Of the three listed only one has US ties and he spent a great deal of time growing up in the country and played rep rugby for the USA. So, these are legit cases.

You want to talk about looking like penises well take a closer look at Tom Court who only plays for Ireland due to a grandfather. Or another Irish prop... Brett Wilkinson. Nothing Irish about these men.

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

Correct- Junior All Blacks. Maori appearance´s don´t count just look at Riki Flutey playing for England.

 

[RuggerUA]

Yep he moved to Atlanta Legion RLC to play League.

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

That news story is very unreliable because it was written by Brian Lowe who is notorious for overhyping League and putting down Union. I was hoping for some news from independent sources.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

That news story is very unreliable because it was written by Brian Lowe who is notorious for overhyping League and putting down Union. I was hoping for some news from independent sources.

Dude, the amount of overhype league gets on this continent is ridiculous. I wish leaguer's would stop trying to bash union and just get on with it. I read so many articles in the US about rugby league this and that and I always laugh because are there even 20 clubs in the states that play league? (its a friggin joke)... we are starting to have the same thing in Canada and its borderline retarded... there are 4 league clubs... I repeat 4 league clubs in this country all filled with ex-union players or expats, some of the ex-union guys were just dudes that couldn't hack it in the CRC or at national level so well I guess they still have a burning desire to rep their country lol ..meanwhile we have something like 500 rugby union clubs and probably 3x as many high school rugby teams.

 

[Nielsch]

USA June Test Matches

June 9: Canada - USA @ Richardson Memorial Stadium, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
June 16: USA - Georgia @ Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado, USA
June 23: USA - Italy @ BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA

Looking forward to the Italy match in a nice new stadium. However, I don't think Texas is rugby territory or am I wrong?

Anyway, it is good to see some new tier 2 countries (Canada, USA) getting shots against tier 1 countries outside of the World Cups. Now let's give Georgia that same opportunity.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

You're right, googling it, that looks like a very nice stadium. It's worth trying to spread it around the country, I suppose. And what with it being against a bigger test nation, it should sell OK. Here's hoping, anyway.

 

[Melhor Time]

June 9: Canada - USA @ Richardson Memorial Stadium, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
June 16: USA - Georgia @ Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado, USA
June 23: USA - Italy @ BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA

Looking forward to the Italy match in a nice new stadium. However, I don't think Texas is rugby territory or am I wrong?

Anyway, it is good to see some new tier 2 countries (Canada, USA) getting shots against tier 1 countries outside of the World Cups. Now let's give Georgia that same opportunity.

Houston hosted USA vs South Africa back in around 2004.

Ngwenya made a name for himself playing for Dallas.

Not the same as California, Colorado or Utah but a good choice for the match.

 

[admartian]

Would love to see the states get better at rugby. So much talent. It's a shame that the sports fanbase don't tend to follow sports unless America is already good at it.

Would be awesome to see a guy like Adrian Peterson on the wing.

 

[jb12780]

So much young talent at the college level. Would be great to see rugby become an NCAA sport.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Melhor Time]

Would love to see the states get better at rugby. So much talent. It's a shame that the sports fanbase don't tend to follow sports unless America is already good at it.

Would be awesome to see a guy like Adrian Peterson on the wing.

Without pro rugby there is no hope.

The US sports market is so competitive that the best athletes are snapped up young to play College Football and Basketball. Hayden Smith only played for the USA in rugby after being in the second division of College Colorado Basketball. So, its not about the sportsfan base at all. Its simply that since its not pro there are not the same scouts as there are in otehr sports and so identifying talent is really tough and since they can´t pay players (with the exception of the 10 who signed as Sevens professionals in December) its all that much harder. A star like Todd Clever is so rare and he´d be great in the NFL. The USA Eagles are lucky to have him.

...But USA Rugby know this and are doing fabulous things and are setting up professional rugby right now and all going well it will start in 2013. The Olympics is the big thing. If a sport is not in the Olympics funding drops significantly from sponsors and local governments. Now there will be huge amounts poured into the game at highschool level and the player base will incorporate loads of would be American Football players. The USA will be on par with Scotland in ten years. Thats my pick!

 

[Melhor Time]

why will extra funding for the sevens side, necessarily make the 15 man side that much better?

All of the players in the Sevens are also in the national set up so they´ll have better fitness and skills training from being professional Sevens players. They are also most backrowers and backs in general. Considering the USA only got 4 tries at the World Cup and lacked playmakers for both 10 and 12 I think the test side will benefit substantially from this.

 

[BZHopenside]

Sevens is all well and good, but it doesn't help the fact that we get absolutely destroyed in the scrum, particularly during the Italy game.

 

[Melhor Time]

Sevens is all well and good, but it doesn't help the fact that we get absolutely destroyed in the scrum, particularly during the Italy game.

No question but this hasn´t stopped Australia winning the World Cup. Technique adjustments have done wonders for the Japanese scrum. Fiji knocekd out Wales in 2007 with a horrible frontrow in all positions.

The USA can prepare with this in mind. Quality props could come along and if so, thats fantastic but the USA would be best suited to planning without them. Increased training to the Sevens players will only make this all the more obvious. The key to a weak scrum is quick ball. It does work.

 

[Melhor Time]

Eagles training squad confirmed

[h=3]Tolkin names USA Squad for Training[/h]


[TABLE="class: tr-caption-container"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tr-caption"]USA captain Todd Clever[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
The new USA Eagles coach, Mike Tolkin has named a squad of 36 players to prepare for next months test rugby which will see the United States of America face Italy, Georgia and Canada in official international matches. The squad includes 16 players who played in Rugby World Cup 2011 while six players from the tournament have not been considered with five having retired and a sixth, Blaine Scully being injured. As such the training camp is all about making a fresh start with an eye to the future as planning for Rugby World Cup 2015 starts now. Tolkin has seen that potential future international players will get their chance to impress as he has named six players who have come through the USA collegiate ranks. All six players played in the 2012 Division 1A competition and featured in the post season matches. Of the 26 players it is the first training camp for 14 of them.

The camp is to be staged at West Point, New York over three days from May 31 to June 2. Following the completion of the training camp Tolkin will reduce the squad to 28 players. There is no place in the squad for World Cup players John van der Giessen, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Phil Thiel and Brian McClenahan who have all retured from international rugby. Inform Ospreys winger, Hanno Dirksen has not been selected, suggesting the former USA age grade player is abandoning the USA in search of representing Wales instead. He will become eligible to play for Wales in 2014.

USA Eagles Training Squad


Forwards

Mike MacDonald (Unattached)
Mate Moeakiola (Park City)
Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
Dave Ryan (Lazio, Italy)
Chris Biller (Northampton, England)
Derek Asbun (Oxford, England)
Andrew Cook (St. Mary’s College)
James Hilterbrand (Manly, Australia)
Eric Fry (Old Boys University, New Zealand)
Tim Paulson (Chicago Griffins)
Ray Forrester (BYU)
Tolifili Liufau (Uson, France)
Brian Doyle (NYAC)
Kris Headlee (Life University)
Tom Katzfey (Life University)
Todd Clever (NTT Communications Shining Arcs, Japan)
Lou Stanfill (NYAC)
Scott LaValla (Stade Français, France)
Cam Dolan (Life University)
Taylor Mokate (Old Boys University, New Zealand)
Andrew Durutalo (USA Rugby Sevens)
Hynie Leaaetoa (BYU)

Backs
Mike Petri (NYAC)
Mose Timoteo (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Shaun Davies (BYU)
Roland Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
Will Holder (Army)
Toby L’Estrange (NYAC)
Paul Emerick (London Wasps, England)
Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates, England)
Alipate Tuilevuka (Old Puget Sound Beach)
Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
James Paterson (Glendale Raptors)
Colin Hawley (USA Rugby Sevens)
Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
Luke Hume (Old Blue) ​

 

[rusty_lock]

Without pro rugby there is no hope.

The US sports market is so competitive that the best athletes are snapped up young to play College Football and Basketball. Hayden Smith only played for the USA in rugby after being in the second division of College Colorado Basketball. So, its not about the sportsfan base at all. Its simply that since its not pro there are not the same scouts as there are in otehr sports and so identifying talent is really tough and since they can´t pay players (with the exception of the 10 who signed as Sevens professionals in December) its all that much harder. A star like Todd Clever is so rare and he´d be great in the NFL. The USA Eagles are lucky to have him.

...But USA Rugby know this and are doing fabulous things and are setting up professional rugby right now and all going well it will start in 2013. The Olympics is the big thing. If a sport is not in the Olympics funding drops significantly from sponsors and local governments. Now there will be huge amounts poured into the game at highschool level and the player base will incorporate loads of would be American Football players. The USA will be on par with Scotland in ten years. Thats my pick!

where do you get your info that USA will have pro rugby in 2013?

 

[Melhor Time]

where do you get your info that USA will have pro rugby in 2013?

My friend played Sevens for the USA and has a lot to do with off the field activities.

The USA is trying hard to set something. Early last year he told me they were aiming for 2013.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Tolkin names USA Squad for Training




[TABLE="class: tr-caption-container"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: tr-caption"]USA captain Todd Clever[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]

The new USA Eagles coach, Mike Tolkin has named a squad of 36 players to prepare for next months test rugby which will see the United States of America face Italy, Georgia and Canada in official international matches. The squad includes 16 players who played in Rugby World Cup 2011 while six players from the tournament have not been considered with five having retired and a sixth, Blaine Scully being injured. As such the training camp is all about making a fresh start with an eye to the future as planning for Rugby World Cup 2015 starts now. Tolkin has seen that potential future international players will get their chance to impress as he has named six players who have come through the USA collegiate ranks. All six players played in the 2012 Division 1A competition and featured in the post season matches. Of the 26 players it is the first training camp for 14 of them.

The camp is to be staged at West Point, New York over three days from May 31 to June 2. Following the completion of the training camp Tolkin will reduce the squad to 28 players. There is no place in the squad for World Cup players John van der Giessen, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Phil Thiel and Brian McClenahan who have all retured from international rugby. Inform Ospreys winger, Hanno Dirksen has not been selected, suggesting the former USA age grade player is abandoning the USA in search of representing Wales instead. He will become eligible to play for Wales in 2014.

USA Eagles Training Squad


Forwards

Mike MacDonald (Unattached)
Mate Moeakiola (Park City)
Shawn Pittman (London Welsh, England)
Dave Ryan (Lazio, Italy)
Chris Biller (Northampton, England)
Derek Asbun (Oxford, England)
Andrew Cook (St. Mary's College)
James Hilterbrand (Manly, Australia)
Eric Fry (Old Boys University, New Zealand)
Tim Paulson (Chicago Griffins)
Ray Forrester (BYU)
Tolifili Liufau (Uson, France)
Brian Doyle (NYAC)
Kris Headlee (Life University)
Tom Katzfey (Life University)
Todd Clever (NTT Communications Shining Arcs, Japan)
Lou Stanfill (NYAC)
Scott LaValla (Stade Français, France)
Cam Dolan (Life University)
Taylor Mokate (Old Boys University, New Zealand)
Andrew Durutalo (USA Rugby Sevens)
Hynie Leaaetoa (BYU)

Backs
Mike Petri (NYAC)
Mose Timoteo (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Shaun Davies (BYU)
Roland Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
Will Holder (Army)
Toby L'Estrange (NYAC)
Paul Emerick (London Wasps, England)
Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates, England)
Alipate Tuilevuka (Old Puget Sound Beach)
Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France)
James Paterson (Glendale Raptors)
Colin Hawley (USA Rugby Sevens)
Chris Wyles (Saracens, England)
Luke Hume (Old Blue) ​

I wonder where Samu Manoa is?

 

[Melhor Time]

injured and a damn shame.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Been reported on BBC Sports that Ospreys wing Hanno Dirksen has Wales ambitions and turned down a chance to play for the USA in the last RWC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18188640

 

[dudeabides]

Is anybody else going to the test against Italy in Houston a few weeks from Saturday? I can't wait and those tickets were surprisingly cheap (that someone like me could afford a good seat I mean), all that leaves is a flight to Houston and a place to stay. I am pumped to see anyone listed on that training squad Melhor Time kindly posted.

[video]http://vimeo.com/bbvacompassstadium/usarugby[/video]

Here is an article about the traveling squad since the first test against Canada is almost here:

WEST POINT, N.Y. – USA Eagles Coach Mike Tolkin has announced the traveling squad that will face Canada in Kingston, Ontario on Saturday, June 9. Kickoff is set for 2pm local time. The squad is also set to face Georgia in Glendale, Colo. on June 16 and cap off its June Test series with a clash with Italy on June 23 in Houston.

Tolkin has named a side with a mix of fresh faces and experienced veterans while giving a nod to the player pathway Tolkin has been heavily involved in for much of his career.

"As the Eagles begin our first assembly after the Rugby World Cup, we have combined a group of veteran players and young players who have moved through our age grade and USA Rugby Sevens programs. The squad and staff are looking forward to initiating the next stage of American rugby beginning with the Canada Test."

The familiar faces returning to the squad should be no surprise to anyone. Coach Tolkin has already named Todd Clever his captain, as he was in the 2011 World Cup.

Also bringing World Cup experience is Paul Emerick, who has recently returned state side in his off-season with the London Wasps.

Making his way back into the Eagle fold is veteran scrumhalf Mose Timoteo of San Francisco Golden Gate. Timoteo is the former captain of the Eagle Sevens team, and has 27 caps to his name in fifteens. His last cap for the Eagles came in 2006 against Barbados.

There are plenty of fresh faces that will help the coach initiate the next stage of American rugby.

Three players directly from the ranks of college rugby will make the next step in their careers. Army's Will Holder, Cal's Seamus Kelly, and BYU's Shaun Davies will all travel with the Eagles, one of largest collegiate contingencies in recent history to take part in a National Team tour.

Also making his first trip with the Eagles is Hawaiian born Tolifili (Andre) Liufau. According to his website, Liufau stands at an imposing 6'2" and tips the scales at 317 lbs. A former football standout at the University of Utah, Liufau also spent time playing with the Arizona Rattlers in the Arena Football League in 2008. Since then, he has played for the LA Rugby Club, and is currently playing for l'Uson in France who compete in the Fédérale 1, the top level of the French amateur rugby system.

The Eagles will travel to Kingston to play Canada on June 6.

Eagles 2012 Summer Schedule
- USA @ Canada | Richardson Stadium | Kingston, Ontario | June 9, 2012 | Get tickets here!
- Georgia @ USA | Infinity Park at Glendale | Glendale, CO | June 16, 2012 | Get tickets here!
- Italy @ USA | BBVA Compass Stadium | Houston, TX | June 23, 2012 | Get tickets here!

USA Eagles Traveling Squad:

Forwards
Derek Asbun (Oxford University)
Chris Biller (Northampton)
Todd Clever (NTT Shining Arcs)
Conor Coyne (NYAC)
Brian Doyle (NYAC)
Andrew Durutalo (OPSB/USA Rugby Sevens)
Eric Fry (Wellington Old Boys University)
Tom Katzfey (Life University)
Scott LaValla (StadeFrancais)
Tolifili (Andre) Liufau (l'Uson Rugby)
Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
Taylor Mokate (Wellington Old Boys University)
Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
Louis Stanfill (NYAC)

Backs
Shaun Davies (BYU)
Paul Emerick (London Wasps)
Tai Enosa (USA Rugby Sevens)
Colin Hawley (USA Rugby Sevens)
Will Holder (Army)
Luke Hume (Old Blue)
Seamus Kelly (Cal)
Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique)
James Patterson (Glendale)
Mike Petri (NYAC)
Andrew Suniula (Cornish Pirates)
Roland Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
Mose Timoteo (SFGG)
Chris Wyles (Saracens)


Injured
Blaine Scully (USA Rugby Sevens)
Toby L'Estrange (NYAC)
Pate Tulievuka (OPSB)

Staff
Mike Tolkin - Head Coach
Tony Smeeth - Backs/Attack Coach
Dan Payne - Forwards/Continuity Coach
Derek Dowling - Scrum Coach
Chris O'Brien - Kicking Coach
Dave Williams - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Paul Goulding - Video Analyst/IT Specialist
Dr. Richard Kim - West Point
Dr. Steven Levin - Canada
Mike Fox - Physiotherapist
Tim Higgins - Physiotherapist
Sarah Sall - Massage Therapist
Tristan Lewis - Manager

http://www.usarugby.org/#cc=[Applic...81D59-137B-A981-01DD-928B9753F5C9{{Tab:View}}