Eagles on a high ahead of Barclays Cup
Thu, 22 May 2008 16:49
US Rugby has announced the Eagles squad to compete in the 2008 Barclays Churchill Cup in June.
The Barclays Churchill Cup, an alliance tournament between the rugby unions of England, USA and Canada, is the biggest international rugby tournament in North America.
Six teams will participate in this year's Barclays Churchill Cup - USA, Canada, England Saxons, Scotland A, Ireland A and Argentina A.
"In terms of development, this tournament is very, very important to us as it gives us the opportunity to play against top players from around the world," USA Rugby's CEO and President of rugby operations Nigel Melville said.
"The way to develop teams is to play against the best players in the world and in this tournament the US play against teams hosting full-time professionals. It is just a great opportunity for our players," added Melville.
Entering its sixth year, the Barclays Churchill Cup, which has been held across Canada, California, and England in the past, will feature its pool play matches in Ottawa on June 7, Kingston on June 11, and Toronto on June 14, before teams converge on Chicago for the final day of the tournament on June 21.
The Finals will feature all six international teams in a triple header of final matches at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.
The US Eagles will be coached by Scott Johnson.
Johnson, the Sydney born former fly half, who most recently held the attack coach position for the Australian National Team, has signed on to a four year contract as the new US Men's head coach and will mark his debut as coach for the US Eagles against the England Saxons on June 7 in Ottawa.
Johnson will be backed by an experienced US coaching staff of Marty Wiggins (forwards), Adam Friend (backs), Bill LeClerc (scrums) and David Williams (strength/conditioning).
"This first match should be an interesting test for the US Team," Melville said.
"The Saxons boast a very tough squad with several players possessing a lot of international experience.
"The US squad also includes a number of players with international experience, in addition to a few fairly new names. We expect it to be another tough match," added Melville.
Of the 26 players named to this year's squad, 16 represented the US in the last Barclays Churchill Cup tournament in England and an impressive 18 were a part of the USA's 2007 Rugby World Cup squad that went to France.
US Eagles Squad for the Barclays Churchill Cup:
Forwards: Mark Aylor (Life University), Henry Bloomfield (Belmont Shore), Todd Clever (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club), Mark Crick (Potomac Athletic Club), Saimone Laulaupealu (San Francisco Golden Gate), Jason Lett (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Matekitonga Moekiola (Pukekohe - New Zealand), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), Kort
Schubert (Olympic Club), Chad Slaby (Chicago Lions), Louis Stanfill (University of Cal - Berkeley), John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians), Jon Vitale (Chicago Lions), Ben Weidemer (Belmont Shore).
Backs: Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Mike Hercus (IBM - Japan), Valanese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Paul Emerick (Newport Gwent Dragons), Salesi Sika (Beziers - France), Albert Tuipulotu (Beziers - France), Vaha Esikia (Las Vegas Blackjacks), Mike Palefau (Petrarca - Italy), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz - France), Chris Wyles (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club), Gavin DeBartolo (Eastern Suburbs - Australia).
