Both the USA and Canada have made a few changes for Saturday’s 2^nd-straight test match, and the changes can give us some insight into what each coach is thinking and what the game will be about.

USA:
Four starters from last week are out: Mate Moeakiola, Phil Thiel, Mike Petri and Kevin Swiryn.

Three of these changes are obviously Eddie O’Sullivan wanting a direct comparison between player A and player B.

Moeakiola, a very effective runner with the ball but one who has struggled in the scrum, makes way for Mike MacDonald, who used to be thought of as that type of player, but is now a lot more of a tight-game man. O’Sullivan clearly wants to see what works best.

Biller and Thiel have been battling for the hooker position. Thiel played well last week, and Biller had a poor game against Russia in the Churchill Cup. This is likely Biller’s last chance to wrest the #1 spot from Thiel. As players they are slightly different. Thiel is not as quick as Biller, but puts in more work. Both have been fairly reliable at set piece.

Petri and Usasz have been alternating as starters for the last two years. Petri got the starts against Russia and Canada in part because he has always been given starts against teams that are pushing his pack backward. Petri has responded well.

The big differences between the two are that Usasz seems more demonstrable and vocal (although Petri has improved in that area), and Petri gets the ball out of the ruck more quickly. 

The fourth change in the starting lineup may be a straight drop. Kevin Swiryn has not been in good form of late, and while his game against Canada showed flashes of his former self, he was up and down. Colin Hawley gets the start, and Swiryn, like Moeakiola, is not in the 22.

On the bench, there’s only one change (aside from the two previous starters moving to the bench), and that is Scott LaValla replacing Inaki Basauri. 

That switch is because LaValla played very well on Wednesday, and also because LaValla brings more size and power to the game, over the more mobile Basauri.

O’Sullivan is clearly still asking questions.

Canada:
There was plenty of talk in Toronto from Canada insiders about how last week’s Canada team wasn’t their best. It was mostly talk, as the Canadians might have preferred one or two players, but the difference was minimal.

For Saturday, Head Coach Kieran Crowley moves flanker Jebb Sinclair to lock with Brian Erichsen going to the bench. Adam Kleeberger takes Sinclair’s place at blindside flanker.

This is a straight swap of mobility for size. Erichson is a big, rangy, traditional lock. Sinclair is a tweener. Kleeberger is an out-and-out flanker with outstanding ability to cover the field.

So it looks as though Crowley wants his forwards to be quicker to the breakdown.

Sean White in for Ed Fairhurst was expected as Crowley gets time for both players. Jamie McKenzie gets his spot on the bench as the scrumhalf.

And the back three moves around. Phil MacKenzie moves from one wing to the other. James Pritchard moves to his preferred position of fullback, and Ciaran Hearn comes into the wing, with Matt Evans dropping out.

This is just a mix-up to see who performs best where. Hearn is more of an attacking wing than Pritchard, who is the team’s main goalkicker. Evans is dynamic, but at 23 is still young and figuring out whether fullback is the right place for him.

On the bench, the even younger Nathan Hirayama, who can play flyhalf and fullback, comes into the 22. 

For the most part, Crowley is, like O’Sullivan, testing out players. But a little more than the USA team, Canada is also picking for the game itself. They have chosen mobility over size to combat the USA’s strong work in the rucks and the continuity game.

The USA wants to win this game, too, and it could be that the changes O’Sullivan made will help them do that. The 2^nd and back rows are intact and the midfield unchanged, but with a new scrumhalf and new hooker, the Eagles will, once again, be looking for consistency in an inconsistent world.

Glendale, Colo. – Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has made four changes to his team that started against Canada in Toronto last weekend. 

In the forwards, prop Mike MacDonald replaces Mate Moeakiola, and hooker Phillip Thiel moves to the bench with Chris Biller starting in the number two jersey. The two backline changes see Colin Hawley replace Kevin Swiryn on the left wing, while scrumhalf Tim Usasz starts ahead of Mike Petri.

“We’ve made a few changes which allows the coaching staff to access these combinations ahead of the Japan match,” said O’Sullivan.

Last week’s clash at BMO Field drew a record crowd of 10,000 spectators. Glendale’s Infinity Park seats 4,000 – but ticket sales are well on track to sell out for the Eagles final home game before the Rugby World Cup (RWC). The training match on Wednesday evening between the local Glendale Raptors and the USA Select side was attended by almost 1,500 fans.

“Playing at home is always special, and I know the boys want to come off that field with a win. The facility at Infinity Park is excellent, with the conditions looking good for a fantastic test match. It will be great to out in front of a home crowd.” commented O’Sullivan.

The United States will be looking to reverse the 28-22 loss against Canada last time round.

Another massive outing is expected from USA captain Todd Clever, who scored two of his team’s tries last weekend. Louis Stanfill and Nic Johnson join Clever as the loose forwards. The lock combination, which worked extremely well against Canada, is Hayden Smith and John van der Giessen. Shawn Pittman retains his spot at tighthead prop, alongside Biller and MacDonald.

In the backline the young Blaine Scully starts his third test at fullback. On the wings are Hawley, who scored three tries in the USA Select match, and crowd favorite Takudzwa Ngwenya. The midfield pairing of Paul Emerick and Andrew Suniula will be key yet again to limiting the Canadian attacking options. Flyhalf Nese Malifa will be playing on his home field, with Usasz rounding out the backs.

The reserves consist of four forwards and three backs. In front row, Thiel covers the hooker position and Eric Fry, prop. Captain and Man of the Match from Wednesday’s USA Select match, Scott LaValla, is the lock replacement. Loose forward JJ Gagiano is also on the bench. The backline reserves are Petri (scrumhalf) and the talented utilities Roland Suniula and Tai Enosa.

“We’ve had an excellent week preparing for this rematch. It’s great being on home soil and we appreciate all the support!“ said captain Todd Clever.

The USA will play Canada at 7.15 P.M (9.15 P.M ET) tomorrow evening, with an exciting curtain-raiser between the Classic Eagles and Classic Canada at 5 P.M. Tickets can be purchased online at GlendaleRugby.com with the match being broadcast LIVE by NBC Universal – and available online at UniversalSports.com!

There will also be a USA Eagles Tailgate Park & Fundraiser before the match, from 4.00-7.00 P.M at the Airlines Plaza at Infinity Park. Admission to this includes both the above matches, wine tasting by Planet Bordeaux, various foods from local vendors and unlimited beer. 

Proceeds benefit the Eagles as they prepare for the RWC. Purchase tickets here!

USA EAGLES
15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz)
13 Paul Emerick (Life University)
12 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)
11 Colin Hawley (Olympic Club)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
2 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
3 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
4 John van der Giessen (Unattached)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens)
6 Louis Stanfill (Unattached)
7 Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath) *Captain
8 Nic Johnson (Unattached)

Reserves:
16 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
17 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
18 Scott LaValla (Stade Francais)
19 Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town)
20 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)

Unavailable through injury: Troy Hall (NYAC), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), James Paterson (Highlanders), Junior Sifa (Unattached), Chris Wyles (Saracens)