USA Rugby: O’Sullivan Names Eagle Player Pool
United States Head Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has announced the pool of players eligible for selection when the Eagles take on Uruguay next month in a two match series to determine the “Americas 2″ qualifier for the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup.
“We’ve got a very solid pool of players selected for these matches. Almost all of the players have been involved through the summer schedule. This will make it easier to for the team to gel given the limited preparation time before the first Test.” -Eddie O’Sullivan
The player pool features professional players Todd Clever (Golden Lions), JJ Gaganio (FC Roma), Hayden Smith (Saracens), John Van Der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois), Paul Emerick (Parma), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic), Tim Usasz (Nottingham) & Chris Wyles (Saracens). This will be the most professional players on a USA Eagle roster, which is a step in the right direction.
The squad also features Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), who became a breakout star during last season’s IRB Sevens World Series & former Captain Mike Hercus, who previously played professionally in Europe and now plays semi-pro rugby in Australia.
The U.S. will enter next month’s series ranked 18th in the world while Uruguay are ranked 21st. The Eagles hold a 9-1 record over Uruguay, including a meeting 4 years ago with 2007 World Cup qualification on the line. The Eagles won that series 75-20 on aggregate.
The first leg will be held in Montevideo on November 14th & the return leg will be held at Broward County Regional Park in Lauderhill, FL on November 17th.
USA EAGLES PLAYER POOL Vs URUGUAY
Forwards:
Todd Clever (Golden Lions), Pat Danahy (Life University), JJ Gaganio (FC Roma), Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians), Will Johnson (Oxford University), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City), Alec Parker (Aspen), Shawn Pittman (Bayside), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Jacob Sprague (Mystic River), Louis Stanfill (NYAC), Phil Thiel (Life University), John Van Der Giessen (Sporting Club Albigeois)
Backs:
Cory Blair (Huntington Beach), Paul Emerick (Parma) Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic), Mike Petri (NYAC), Junior Sifa (Midleton), Roland Suniula (Pearl City), Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers), Tim Usasz (Nottingham), Chris Wyles (Saracens)
