USA coach Peter Thorburn has unveiled his 30-man squad for Rugby World Cup 2007 with fly half Mike Hercus and second row Luke Gross among the seven players who played for the Eagles in the last tournament.
The others are prop Mike MacDonald, centre Phillip Eloff, wings Paul Emerick and Salesi Sika and second row Alec Parker – who like Gross will be playing in his third World Cup – while Todd Clever was part of the squad, but did not take to the field.
Many of the squad played in this year’s IRB North America 4 and Barclays Churchill Cup, including fly half Nese Malifa who enjoyed an NA4 debut to remember for the USA Hawks with a 20-point haul in their defeat by Canada West.
Thorburn has also named seven players who will remain with the squad until their departure for France on 1 September and then act as a reserve pool should the Eagles suffer any injuries over the course of the tournament.
The Eagles have been drawn in Pool A at Rugby World Cup 2007 with defending champions England, 1995 winners South Africa, Samoa and Tonga. Their opening match is against England in Lens on 8 September.
Positive results essential for development
Thorburn knows his charges will be the underdogs in the Pool, but is determined that the Eagles will play to their full potential to help the sport’s development across the United States.
“We will play two really tough international sides and two very good, physical sides at this World Cup,” Thorburn said. “We will remain the underdogs going into it, which I think is a good thing.
“The programme we have been allowed to put together by USA Rugby has been as good a preparation as any non-professional team at the World Cup will have. Perhaps, in hindsight, one or two more games together against stiff opposition would have sharpened up our team to a level we have to attain very promptly, in France.
“But if we show the expected improvements, and we shall, then our performances will be our judgment. Performances at the top end of our potential will give positive results that are essential for the sport’s movement forward in America.”
The Eagles face Irish province Munster on Sunday 26 August in a friendly in Chicago before returning to their base in Muscatine, Iowa, to continue preparations until they depart for France.
USA squad:
Forwards (17): Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, John Vitale, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Inaki Basauri, Mark Aylor, Tasi Mounga, Todd Clever, Dan Payne, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield.
Backs (13): Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus, Valenese Malifa, Phillip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Chris Wyles, Francois Viljoen.