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Written by RUGBYMag Staff
Friday, 19 August 2011 12:49 |
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Japan Makes Changes for USA |
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International -
International News
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TOKYO - Japan coach John Kirwan has made wholesale changes for Sunday’s test against The United States, Japan’s last before they leave for the Rugby World Cup.
Kirwan made 12 personnel changes and one positional switch from the team that lost 31-24 to Italy last week, though he admitted he had always planned to play two different starting XVs.
“I believe everyone in the squad should have the opportunity to put themselves forward for selection for the game against France [on Sept. 10]. And I told the players that last week,” he said.
The game comes a day before Kirwan must name his 30-man squad for the RWC and the former All Black is hopeful his team can repeat their performances of 2008 when they beat the Eagles 29-19 and 32-17.
“It’s very important that we go to the World Cup with a win and a good performance behind us,” Kirwan said. “I haven’t set the team any particular targets. We just need to win and win well.”
Captain Takashi Kikutani moves to No. 8 from blindside flanker and lines up alongside Sione Vatuvei and Tadasuke Nishihara in the backrow.
Luke Thompson and Hitoshi Ono start at lock with Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki and Nozomu Fujita in the front row.
The two players to line up in the same jerseys as last week are wing Takehisa Usuzuki and centre Ryan Nicholas, though Nicholas only came into the side as the result of an ankle injury to Yuta Imamura that will keep him out for two weeks.
Nicholas lines up alongside Alisi Tupuailei with Tomoki Yoshida and Murray Williams at halfback, while Hirotoki Onozawa returns on the left wing with utility back Taihei Ueda at fullback.Jap
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Written by RUGBYMag Staff
Thursday, 18 August 2011 22:25 |
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Cardinals Taking High Road Back |
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Colleges -
Men's DII College
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After 25 years in the wilderness after a school imposed “death sentence,” the University of Louisville Men’s Rugby Club goes into its third year with high hopes. The team has been promoted to DII in just its third league season, which is all part of a six-year plan for moving to DI play.
 “We’re working closely with the Midwest Territory and USA Rugby in light of the recent structure changes for collegiate rugby,” says Head Coach Eric Raney. “They actually promoted us to DII a year early, but we’re excited about the opportunity to move up in class.” U of L is a member of the Ohio Union, and their league includes teams such as the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University and Kentucky.
But for a long, long time there was no rugby at U of L.
“There was an incident,” explains Raney. “It was so long ago, no one really remembers what it was. But something happened on a Saturday, and when they got back to campus Monday, they were finished.”
Over the years, students tried to reform the club, the school administration wasn’t having any of it. “It wasn’t just ‘no’,” says Raney. “It was no way, not now, not ever.” But some clever students found a procedural loophole—getting established as a school organization thru the student-run university Congress—and the school begrudgingly acquiesced.
“We went in to meet with school officials,” says Raney. “When they saw we had a good staff and the kids would have adult supervision, it improved their comfort level a bit.”
The coaching staff includes not only Raney, whose rugby resume includes 12 national championship tournament appearances and a two-year stint as Midwest All-Star 7’s coach—but also Jason Leavens, a 4-time Collegiate All-American at Ohio State.
It also didn’t hurt that the team was able to beat all its in-state rivals—including Kentucky—its first year out.
The club is still kept on a short leash—including a school-controlled bank account, periodic reviews and certain travel restriction—but the administration is coming around.
“School officials are starting to see the rewards, and not just the risks,” says Raney. The club was recently presented with an award from the Club Sports Department as an outstanding student organization, and has been promised a spot at the top of the waiting list for access to the new Student Activities Center scheduled to open in 2013.
“That will get us access to an indoor field for the winter months, and an all-weather outdoor practice field as well,” explains Raney.
U of L will play Xavier in their inaugural DII league match on Labor Day weekend, but after all the club had to do just to get on the field, who can blame them for feeling as though a lot of the hard work is already done.
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Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release
Friday, 19 August 2011 10:16 |
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O'Sullivan Makes 8 Changes |
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National Teams -
USA Men
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Tokyo, Japan – Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has made eight changes to his team that started against Canada in Glendale last weekend. The USA will face Japan at 7pm local time on Sunday, August 21, at the Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground; the match is available LIVE online at UniversalSports.com at 6am ET and delayed on TV at 5:30 pm ET.
 “Again we have made a number of changes to selection, as this is our final hit out before Rugby World Cup (RWC) and also our last opportunity to take a look at players before we make the final squad announcement,” said O’Sullivan.
The Eagles coaching staff will announce the RWC squad of 30 players following the clash with Japan, with one final chance to book their tickets to the third largest sporting event in the world.
Captain Todd Clever, who plays his club rugby in Tokyo at Suntory Sungoliath, is unavailable due to injury.
Scrumhalf Mike Petri will lead the United States this weekend: “I am obviously disappointed for Todd, but I hope to continue the good work he has done, and set an example. I am really looking forward to this opportunity“.
In the forwards veteran Mike MacDonald starts at loosehead prop and will equal the most appearances for an Eagle (62) set by his former teammate, Luke Gross. MacDonald made his debut against Fiji in 2000, and has played in all eight USA matches during the 2003 and 2007 RWC’s. Phillip Thiel returns to the hooker position alongside Eric Fry, who starts at tighthead prop. Scott LaValla will partner Hayden Smith in the locks, with the loose trio consisting of Patrick Danahy, Louis Stanfill and JJ Gagiano. In the backline, try scorer from last week, Blaine Scully is at fullback yet gain. Kevin Swiryn returns to the wing, together with the experienced James Paterson. The Otago winger has played in both the ITM Cup and Super Rugby competitions, having represented the USA at the U19 World Championships.
Tai Enosa will join veteran Paul Emerick in the centers. Emerick will move to inside center, with Enosa seeking to create space for his outside backs in the number 13 jersey. Nese Malifa is at flyhalf, and will be looking to control the match with his halfback, Petri.
The reserves will be Chris Biller (hooker), Shawn Pittman (prop) with lock and loose forward cover through Nic Johnson and the uncapped Ryan Chapman. The backline subs consist of Tim Usasz (scrumhalf), together with brothers Roland (utility) and Andrew Suniula (center).
“It will be a tough test game, but exactly what we need before departing for New Zealand.” expressed O’Sullivan.
USA EAGLES
15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Kevin Swiryn (Agen)
13 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
12 Paul Emerick (Life University)
11 James Paterson (Otago)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) *Captain
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
2 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
3 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
4 Scott LaValla (Stade Francais)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens)
6 Patrick Danahy (Life University)
7 Louis Stanfill (Unattached)
8 Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town)
Reserves:
16 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
18 Nic Johnson (Unattached)
19 Ryan Chapman (Utah Warriors)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
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Written by Alex Goff
Thursday, 18 August 2011 22:11 |
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Midwest Goes Young in 7s All-Stars |
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Sevens -
All-Stars
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The Midwest RFU Men's 7s All Star team has been picked, with Coach Aaron Manheimer going for youth.
Several of the players come from recent college experience. They range from youngsters such as Ryan Cochran (fresh out of the Westerville U19 program) and Max Narewski (entering his sophomore season at Bowling Green), to Minnesota talent Nate Augspurger, St. Cloud State player Gerrett Bender, and Bowling Green's Nick Brandenstein.
Even the veterans, such as Jordan Highberger and Lucas Thiem are not that long out of college.
For veterans, Manheimer looks to Nick Johnson, who showed well for YoungBloodz at the national club championships. Johnson has played in Minnesota, Arizona, California, and back to Minnesota again. The former USA U20 player is still a youngster, just an experienced one. Experienced also is Jordan Highberger, now with the Chicago Lions, and Ethan Porter, who played in New Orleans before moving to Chicago and playing with the Fox Valley Maories.
Midwest Men’s 7s All-Stars
Josh Kramer
Jamie Gasparella
Max Narewski
Jordan Highberger
Ethan Porter
Nick Johnson
Nate Augspurger
Gerrett Bender
Lucas Thiem
Mike Schatz
Nick Brandenstein
Ryan Cochran
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