The USA Rugby Junior All-Americans have gone three from three in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2012 and will now face Japan in the championship game tomorrow (Saturday June 30) at 6 p.m. MDT at Murray Rugby Park in Murray, Utah.
The three wins came against tournament favorites Tonga (22-11), Chile (54-25), and the USA capped off pool play with a 36-13 win over Russia. If they are able to best the Japanese, who have appeared in three consecutive JWRT finals including this year, the USA will advance to the premier Junior Rugby tournament in the world, the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013.
USA Head Coach Scott Lawrence has named the 22-man roster that will suit up in the red, white, and blue against a very technical Japanese side tomorrow.
The personnel Lawrence has starting in the final reflects the combinations he has been evaluating since late May, notably the seemingly favored halfback pairing of Nick Boyer and Will Magie will run out for the USA.
The match up of Magie and his Japanese counterpart (and captain) Jumpei Ogura will be fantastic to watch. Both are very intellectual and have been lethal kicking out of hand so far in the tournament.
The midfield battle will be excellent as well given that both teams have played lock down defense but have found gaps against the opposition. Of course, they haven’t faced one another yet. Tanner Barnes and local boy Tua Laei are the centers for the USA and will have to have a high work rate to shut down the Japanese midfield.
Both forward packs are scrappy and tenacious, but the Japanese scrum has struggled slightly against Tonga and Chile but were able to tailor a game plan that minimized the damage a weak set piece can have on a match.
The match will be webcast live on KSL.com and DeseretNews.com. Follow the game live on Twitter (@usaeaglesrugby).
USA Rugby Junior All-Americans vs. Japan (JWRT Final)
June 30, 2012
15 Madison Hughes (Dartmouth)
14 Kingsley McGowan (St. Mary’s College of California)
13 Tanner Barnes (Central Washington)
12 Tua Laei (BYU)
11 Noah Tarrant (Oceanside Hurricanes)
10 Will Magie (Leeds University)
9 Nick Boyer (Cal)
1 Travis Whitlock (Back Bay)
2 Cameron Falcon (Louisiana State)
3 Henry Hall (Auckland University)
4 Nick Barrett (Minnesota State)
5 Pierce Dargan (Trinity College – Dublin)
6 Glen Thommes (Delaware)
7 Alex Goff (Arkansas State)
8 Tom O’Hara (Santa Clara)
Reserves
16 Angus MacLellan (Davenport)
17 Mike Te’o (Belmont Shore)
18 Casper Huizenga (Kutztown)
19 Teli Veamatahau (Metropolis)
20 Sione Letoi (Tempe)
21 Pasefika Iosia (Belmont Shore)
22 Alex Taefu (Tempe)
Gilbert has released a new line of rugby cleats. The Gilbert Virtuo 8S is part of the exciting new product. Check it out.
The Barbarians are one of the top invitational rugby sides with a long history and classic rugby jersey.
The Nike Tiempo is a solid rugby cleat and one of few styles still made from full-grain natural leather.
The Lions get ready for their matches with this green training jersey. It's what the players wear. Get in the Gear!
A cool looking all black rugby cleat with the high performance adidas is known for. Get in the Gear!
Wear the crest of the British and Irish Lions on your t-shirt. A great look for the summer.
$29.99
The Lions are ready to get their Australia tour underway. They arrive in Perth on Monday.
The New Zealand All Blacks training jersey for 2013/14. Get in the Gear!
The USA Rugby Pro Alternate rugby jersey is perfect for any fan of the Eagles. Get yours to wear during the summer Test matches.
The NEW All Blacks 2013/14 jersey has arrived at World Rugby Shop. Dare to wear the colors of the All Blacks.
