USA

The USA Eagles’ Head Coach Eddie O’Sullivan has officially named his lineup for the final match of the Churchill Cup against Georgia on Sunday, June 21 at 4:45 p.m.

“Again we’ve gotten a couple new players who have joined the squad from overseas, which have allowed for a few changes to our squad,” O’Sullivan said. “We continue to narrow down the squad for the upcoming IRB Rugby World Cup qualifier match. With only one match to go, we are closing in on what it should be.

“Georgia marks our fifth match in three weeks,” O’Sullivan added, “Our challenge is trying to balance getting the training in that we need with the fact that we are starting to see a bit of fatigue.”

The U.S. has seen a couple changes to the back line, as Junior Sifa is out with injury and Takudzwa Ngwenya and Salesi Sika both have returned from playing overseas in France.

In fact, the American backline will feature one of the most experienced lineups this season for the USA, as Sika, Ngwenya, Paul Emerick, and Chris Wyles all look to start. Colin Hawley joins the line at wing, as the only uncapped player on the squad, but even he has seen time in both earlier Churchill matches against the Argentina Jaguars and the England Saxons. Tim Usasz and Mike Hercus will play scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively, while Mike Petri and Valenese Malifa will both look for time off the bench.

In the front row, Matekitonga Moeakiola is joined by Chris Biller and Shawn Pittman, while Louis Stanfill and local Denver Barbarians player, John Van Der Giessen, will both see starts at lock.

Captain Todd Clever will flank with J.J. Gagiano, while another local Denver resident, Nic Johnson, will start at No 8.

Joe Welch, Mike MacDonald and Hayden Smith are all listed as forward replacements for the U.S. squad, while Alipate Tuilevuka will wear No. 22.

This U.S. match against Georgia is not only a competition for the Churchill Cup Bowl (fifth place), but also carries international significance as it is an international test and could affect the USA’s ranking in the world standings.

In addition, this is the last U.S. match before taking on Canada on July 4 in Charleston, S.C. for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers and will no doubt impact the momentum the team has heading into that crucial home-and-away series.

The entire finals day of the Churchill Cup, which includes three matches in all, will be broadcast live in the U.S. via Setanta Sports.

To purchase tickets

Churchill Cup Finals Day individual and package tickets are available online at  www.churchillcuptickets.com or call the Rugby Hotline at 303 534 0502 and for more information on the Churchill Cup tournament visit www.churchillcuprugby.net.

USA Lineup:

1. Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
2. Chris Biller (California)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
5. John Van Der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
6. J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town)  
7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
11. Colin Hawley (California)*
12. Salesi Sika (Sporting Agen)
13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)

Replacements

16. Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)
18. Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)
19. A.N. Other (undetermined)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)

*Denotes uncapped player