International rugby thread

[wadc45]

GoffonRugby: Reasons to Believe

An Opinion Column by Alex Goff
(Cal and Utah put on a show in Columbus. Ed Hagerty photo)

Optimism is harder to write about than pessimism. I don?t know why that is, but that tends to hold true ? it?s easier to complain than to praise.
Yet this week I feel compelled to sound optimistic, giddy even. It?s not just that the last few weeks have seen a lot of rugby, a celebration of the sport in the USA, it?s how it?s been presented.

Consider:
May 1. The men?s DI college final between Cal and BYU produces one of the most tense, and well-played matches in some years ? even better than the previous year?s final in part because the game just flowed a little better.

May 22-23 ? the three dynasties of age-grade rugby ? Highland, Jesuit and Divine Savior Holy Angels ? were all unseated in a series of upsets that showed how high school rugby is improving everywhere.

May 22. SFGG and Life play a semifinal match that many say is the best Super League game they?ve seen. This is followed up on May 30 by a Super League final that had it all ? tight play, open running, defense, offense, lead changes, drama. It was quite possibly the most dramatic and fun to watch Super League final I?ve seen.

And then this past weekend, we see the USA beat Russia on home soil for the first time. We see three club champions crowned, including a DI final that mirrored the RSL final in many ways in terms of the quality of the play and the excitement of the game.

And at the same time, the new USA 7s Collegiate Championship Invitational ended with a final that was so exciting, well-played and dramatic you couldn?t make it up ? Utah winning in overtime over a Cal team that had outscored its previous CCI opponents 157-7.

Oh, and it was live on network TV.

Wow. Over the course of about a month, we?ve been blessed with a series of important games that showcased how this American game is growing and developing. The games are better. The players are better ? as one rugby parent said to me this weekend in Columbus, "these are our American kids doing this." And the spectacle gets a little better each time.

We had rugby in two stadiums this weekend ? not millions of people there but good, vocal, rugby-loving crowds. We saw poignant stories and old rivalries and comeback victories. And we saw heroes.

And with all the difficulties this sport encounters, especially financially, this month has been one to just be proud of what these players and coaches are putting out there. It?s been an absolute joy to see it, write about it, and be a part of it, and it tells me that maybe, somewhere in there, we?re doing something right.

And so I end this with a thought. If you're a rugby player, parent, follower or fan, and there's a prominent game in ytour area - maybe it's a big summer 7s tournament, or the Churchill Cup Finals at Red Bull in New Jersey, or something going on later this fall - go. Watch the games. Cheer everyone. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Being a rugby fan in the USA these days seems to bring its own reward.

 

[Steve19]

New Zealand and South Africa showed just how far in front of the rest of the world they are today.

#1 New Zealand beat #5 Ireland 66-28.

#2 South Africa schooled #4 France in similar fashion. Playing largely a team including many substitutes, South Africa won 42-17. South Africa got the early lead 20-0 and then experimented in the game.

Hope Bafana Bafana got the message about the French!

 

[wadc45]

Australia over England 27-17.

In all fairness, Ireland played a man down for 3/4 of the match.

All Blacks face Wales next weekend.

In other 15s news, Samoa beat Tonga 24-23.

US released their lineup for today's match against the England Saxons.

The USA Men's National Team has officially released its lineup for its second pool match of the 2010 Churchill Cup against the England Saxons.

Following its convincing win over Russia, last Saturday, the Eagles have been diligently training all week for their upcoming game against the Saxons. The USA Eagles will face the England Saxons, who also just recently beat Russia, on Sunday, June 13 at 1 p.m. (MDT) at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo.

"We were happy to start with the win," U.S. Men's Coach Eddie O'Sullivan said. "But we are very aware that the England Saxons side is a completely different animal. We have made a lot of changes to the team as we want to be able to get a good look at all of our players in several different combinations. We are very focused on this next match, but are also looking to build some depth as we head into the Rugby World Cup in 2011."

In all, O'Sullivan has made nine changes to the starting 15, four to the back line and five to the pack. The coach has also brought on three reserves who - if substituted in - would see their first match for the Eagles.

Joining last week's 'Man of the Match,' Shawn Pittman, in the front row are Anthony Purpura and Chris Biller, who both came off the bench in the Russia match. Scott Lavalla and Captain John Van der Giessen return at lock for this match, while the loose forwards are all new to the starting lineup and include flankers Patrick Danahy and Dan LaPrevotte, while Jonathan Gagiano will start at No. 8.

In the backline, the U.S. will switch up the starting scrumhalf and flyhalf, giving Tim Usasz and Volney Rouse the chance to work with each other from the get-go, while Mike Petri and Nese Malifa will be ready on the sidelines as their replacements, respectively.

The U.S. will continue to use the inside center and wings from the last match, as Andrew Suniula, Paul Emerick and Takudzwa Ngwenya all will see their second start for the Eagles in this Churchill Cup tournament. Alipate Tuilevuka adds even more size to this back line, while California?s Colin Hawley has made his way into the lineup after competing in the USA 7s Collegiate Championship Invitational (CCI) in Ohio last weekend.

On the bench, Phil Thiel, Louis Stanfill and NFL recruits Brian Howard and Leonard Peters look for time as forward replacements, while Petri and Malifa are joined by another USA 7s CCI participant, Blaine Scully .

Following this round of pool play, all six teams will be ranked for the Churchill Cup finals, which are set to take place on June 19, at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

For more information on the U.S. Men?s Team, please visit Untitled.

USA EAGLES LINEUP

15. Colin Hawley (California)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique)
13. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
12. Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11. Paul Emerick (Parma RFC)
10. Volney Rouse (Te Kawau)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
1. Tony Purpura (Boston Rugby Club)
2. Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. John Van de Giessen (Sporting Club Albi) *Captain
5. Scott Lavalla (Dublin University)
6. Patrick Danahy (Life Univeristy)
7. Dan LaPrevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate)
8. J.J. Gagiano (University of Cape Town)

Reserves

16. Phillip Thiel (Life University)
17. Brian Howard (Old Puget Sound Beach)
18. Louis Stanfill (Canberra Royals)
19. Leonard Peters (Gentlemen of Aspen)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore)
22. Blaine Scully (California)

Here is the Saxons lineup:

England Saxons squad to face USA:
15 Nick Abendanon (Bath)
14 Ollie Smith (Montpellier)
13 Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
12 Brad Barritt (Saracens)
11 Tom Varndell (London Wasps)
10 Alex Goode (Saracens)
9 Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
1 Nick Wood (Gloucester)
2 Andy Titterrell (Leeds Carnegie)
3 Alex Corbiserio (London Irish)
4 James Hudson (Newcastle Falcons)
5 George Skivington (Captain, London Wasps)
6 Kearnan Myall (Leeds Carnegie)
7 Andy Saull (Saracens)
8 Luke Narraway (Gloucester)

Replacements:
16 Tom Lindsay (London Wasps)*
17 Duncan Bell (Bath)
18 Graham Kitchener (Worcester Warriors)
19 Tom Wood (Worcester Warriors)
20 Micky Young (Newcastle Falcons)
21 Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
22 Jon Clarke (Northampton Saints)

 

[Steve19]

USA EAGLES LINEUP

15. Colin Hawley (California)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique)
13. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
12. Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11. Paul Emerick (Parma RFC)
10. Volney Rouse (Te Kawau)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
1. Tony Purpura (Boston Rugby Club)
2. Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. John Van de Giessen (Sporting Club Albi) *Captain
5. Scott Lavalla (Dublin University)
6. Patrick Danahy (Life Univeristy)
7. Dan LaPrevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate)
8. J.J. Gagiano (University of Cape Town)

Reserves

16. Phillip Thiel (Life University)
17. Brian Howard (Old Puget Sound Beach)
18. Louis Stanfill (Canberra Royals)
19. Leonard Peters (Gentlemen of Aspen)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore)
22. Blaine Scully (California)

Outstanding!

 

[RugbyBuck]

I've watched two of the Churchill Cup matches now and am very disappointed in the US. We "won" against Russia, but they were clearly the better team. They seemed to wear down in the heat and altitude in the second half and, to our credit, we pulled ahead, but, seriously, Russia? They're supposed to be a third or fourth tier team and we're supposed to be moving up in the second. It looked like it was the other way around. Someone forgot to tell Russia that they weren't supposed to have a chance. Finally, rugby's getting tv coverage in the US, but if I'm a kid who happened to catch the match on Universal, I want to be a Bear not an Eagle.

Only slightly less disappointing was the beat down that England put on us. No shame in losing to England except that it was England's B-SIDE! Their b-side wore us out. Period. That shouldn't happen.

Our guys look the part. They looked like waaay better athletes than the English. The problem was that it wasn't a beauty pageant. Our backs stand around waiting for the ball before running and our forwards are basically tOSU tight ends (read: no ball skills). The rugby world cup is next year and we're not any better and may be worse (relatively speaking, if Russia's improvement is typical of other emerging countries) than in the last RWC.

End rant.

 

[muffler dragon]

I watched Invictus this weekend and really enjoy it. If the movie portrays the environment for RWC; then I have to admit that I would love to attend!

 

[RugbyBuck]

The RWC, I promise (you can have all my v-bucks, if I'm wrong) is infinitely better than Invictus. I'm thrilled that most of it will be televised by Universal/NBC. I just hope that the US will stay alive long enough to help drive eyes to the broadcasts.

 

[wadc45]

Thanks to my recent addition of Fox Soccer Plus, I watched both of New Zealands matches in the Steinlager Series...66-28 over Ireland and then a thorough second-half slapping of Wales that ended with a final score of 42-9 (but might as well have read Daniel Carter 42 Wales 9).

Also watched a scrappy Italian side hang around for a little while with South Africa thanks to some odd officiating. Steve can probably elaborate but while the game was never really in doubt, the Italians probably left somewhat pleased with a final tally that saw them only losing 29-13. The two play again this Saturday.

Didn't get to watch it but Scotland beat a tough Argentinian side 13-9...which capped off a 2-0 finish for Scotland against Los Pumas. That's four wins in a row for Scotland against Ireland, Japan and the two against Argentina.

The biggest surprise to me was how terrible Australia looked against England...yet they still hold on to the Cook Cup. This most likely buys Martin Johnson a little more time...despite that being his first win against one of the major southern hemisphere powers. Now you have the Irish coming to Brisbane looking for their first win against Australia since 1979 despite losing to the NZ Maori last weekend. Ireland tied the Wallabies 20-20 at Croke Park last year.

 

[tmporter]

Thanks to my recent addition of Fox Soccer Plus, I watched both of New Zealands matches in the Steinlager Series...66-28 over Ireland and then a thorough second-half slapping of Wales that ended with a final score of 42-9 (but might as well have read Daniel Carter 42 Wales 9).

Also watched a scrappy Italian side hang around for a little while with South Africa thanks to some odd officiating. Steve can probably elaborate but while the game was never really in doubt, the Italians probably left somewhat pleased with a final tally that saw them only losing 29-13. The two play again this Saturday.

Didn't get to watch it but Scotland beat a tough Argentinian side 13-9...which capped off a 2-0 finish for Scotland against Los Pumas. That's four wins in a row for Scotland against Ireland, Japan and the two against Argentina.

The biggest surprise to me was how terrible Australia looked against England...yet they still hold on to the Cook Cup. This most likely buys Martin Johnson a little more time...despite that being his first win against one of the major southern hemisphere powers. Now you have the Irish coming to Brisbane looking for their first win against Australia since 1979 despite losing to the NZ Maori last weekend. Ireland tied the Wallabies 20-20 at Croke Park last year.

I just ordered Fox Soccer Plus myself. I have missed watching Rugby ever since Fox Soccer stopped showing matches and Setanta pretty much imploded and lost the EPL. I simply can't wait to watch some first class Rugby. The college 7s just wasn't my thing. I simply like the 15s so much more.

 

[Steve19]

....Also watched a scrappy Italian side hang around for a little while with South Africa thanks to some odd officiating. Steve can probably elaborate but while the game was never really in doubt, the Italians probably left somewhat pleased with a final tally that saw them only losing 29-13. The two play again this Saturday...

South Africa has been experimenting with the 2's and 3's against Wales and Italy. They really need to rest a lot of top guys.

The Italian coach is ex-SA coach, Nick Mallett. He's a great coach and a real gent, but his team talked a bit of trash the second half when SA took the foot off the pedal and let them score the last ten points. Word is that the Springboks will be sending the Italians home like they did the French.

Should be good fun and then on to the Tri-nations and some real rugby!

 

[Steve19]

Tendai Mtawarira ("the Beast") has finally received South African citizenship and has been named in a 28-man Springboks squad for the opening Tri-Nations tests in New Zealand and Australia.

As the talk before the game indicated, this time they gave the Italians no quarter...

South Africa banished last week's disappointing victory over Italy from memory with a 55-11 thrashing of the Azzurri on Saturday.

Leading only 27-6 at the break - almost identical to last week - the Boks kept up the momentum in the second half, racking up three more second-half tries as they proved simply too powerful for their guests in East London.

Yet there could still be some lingering dissatisfaction at this Springbok performance. Their power advantage up front was huge - it was like a monster truck going head-to-head with a Fiat Uno at times - but despite the amount of front foot ball the backs just did not really get going.

 

[RugbyBuck]

What's your sense (personally and word-on-the-street) about not allowing Saffers playing overseas to play for the Boks, Steve? Coaches have basically said that playing in Europe makes them slow and/or soft, but that's taking some big names out of the draft pool.

Thought I would give it one more chance and watched USA/France (whatever side they sent; definitely wasn't their 1st team) this weekend. Absolutely deplorable. Wes, you may have some better thoughts on this, but it looks to me like the USARugby powers that be are just going with the same names every year; Malifa sucks, for instance. Looks like powerful inertia to me.

 

[wadc45]

 

[Steve19]

What's your sense (personally and word-on-the-street) about not allowing Saffers playing overseas to play for the Boks, Steve? Coaches have basically said that playing in Europe makes them slow and/or soft, but that's taking some big names out of the draft pool.

Thought I would give it one more chance and watched USA/France (whatever side they sent; definitely wasn't their 1st team) this weekend. Absolutely deplorable. Wes, you may have some better thoughts on this, but it looks to me like the USARugby powers that be are just going with the same names every year; Malifa sucks, for instance. Looks like powerful inertia to me.

It's not the coaches so much as the players. We had one player go to France and he came back completely out of shape, losing his place in the starting side. South African Currie Cup rugby is much better to stay in shape. That said, the SA rugby players are playing too much rugby with Super 14, Currie Cup, Tri-Nations, and other test rugby.

It would be great if the US could tour SA and NZ every year playing provincial sides. It would help a lot.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Seems to me that the US is improving in 7s and dropping off or being passed by emerging nations in 15s. We have more players competing overseas now, but (and I suppose that this year's Churchill Cup could be an aberration) I don't see it paying benefits when they return to the Eagles. The US side that left it all out there against South Africa a couple of years ago is still the best I've seen.