Eagles have that Clever look
Veteran loose forward Todd Clever will captain the United States Eagles at the World Cup tournament in New Zealand next month.
Eagles head coach Eddie O’Sullivan on Monday confirmed his squad of 30.
Mike Petri, who led the Eagles against Japan last Sunday in Tokyo, has been named the vice-captain.
The Eagles will compete in Pool C, where they will face Australia, Ireland, Italy and Russia in pool play.
“I think there is a sense of relief that we are now in a position to name the final squad of 30 for the RWC,” O’Sullivan said.
“It has been a thorough process and I belief that we have the best 30 players available to us heading into the RWC.
“As expected we have had to make some very tough decisions to get to the final squad, but that is just reflection on the talent available to us,” O’Sullivan added.
The squad is made up of 16 forwards and 14 backs.
Selected in the front row are Mike MacDonald, Mate Moeakiola, Eric Fry and Shawn Pittman. Three hookers have been selected in Chris Biller, Phil Thiel and Brian McClenahan.
The lock specialists are John van der Giessen, Hayden Smith and Scott LaValla. The loose forwards include Inaki Basauri, Pat Danahy, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Louis Stanfill, along with Clever.
In the backline Tim Usasz is at scrumhalf, along with Petri. Partnering them at flyhalf are Nese Malifa and Roland Suniula. The centres will be Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Junior Sifa and Andrew Suniula.
Out wide the wings are Colin Hawley, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson and Kevin Swiryn. Chris Wyles and Blaine Scully complete the squad as fullbacks.
“All eyes are now turned to the World Cup and our departure from the USA on September 1,” the coach said.
The squad will assemble in Santa Barbara on August 28 for their final preparations, before flying to New Zealand on September 1.
United Stated squad:
Forwards: Inaki Basauri (Perigueux), Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (Suntory Sungoliath), Pat Danahy (Life University), Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks), JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town), Nic Johnson (Unattached), Scott LaValla (Stade Francais), Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie), Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), Mate Moeakiola (Bobigny 93), Shawn Pittman (London Welsh), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Louis Stanfill (Unattached), Phil Thiel (Life University), John van der Giessen (Unattached).
Backs: Paul Emerick (Life University), Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore), Colin Hawley (Olympic Club), Nese Malifa (Glendale), Taku Ngwenya (Biarritz), James Paterson (Otago), Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), Blaine Scully (Unattached), Junior Sifa (Nottingham RFC), Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins), Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby), Kevin Swiryn (Agen), Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC), Chris Wyles (Saracens).
