Preview: USA vs Uruguay
This is a crunch match. The winner of this World Cup Qualifier will go to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The loser goes into répechage.
The Eagles take an advantage of five points into this home match from their 27-22 victory last Saturday over the Teros in Montevideo. They also take the confidence that history provides. The two teams have met 11 times with 10 wins for the Eagles. When they played to qualify for the 2007 World Cup, the USA did it with ease.
Unsurprisingly the Eagles have no changes to the team which one in Montevideo. On the other hand Uruguay have gone in for wholesale changes. Only hooker Martín Espiga and tighthead Rodrigo Sanchez have kept their places in the starting line-up.
Prediction: USA to win by more than 10.
Teams:
USA Eagles: 15 Chris Wyles (Saracens, England), 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz, France), 13 Paul Emerick (Parma, Italy), 12 Junior Sifa (Middleton), 11 Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach), 10 Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays, Australia), 9 Tim Usasz (Nottingham, England), 8 Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians), 7 Todd Clever (Golden Lions, South Africa) (captain), 6 Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club), 5 Hayden Smith (Saracens, Engalnd), 4 John Van der Giessen (Albi, France), 3 Will Johnson (Oxford University, Engalnd), 2 Phil Thiel (Life University), 1 Mate Moeakiola (Pearl City)
Replacements: 16 Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), 17 Jacob Sprague (Mystic River), 18 Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), 19 JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town, South Africa/Roma, Italy), 20 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club), 21 Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore), 22 Pate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Coach: Eddie O’Sullivan
Uruguay: 15 Jerónimo Etcheverry, 14 Alejandro Silveira, 13 Joaquín Pastore, 12 Juan Llovet, 11 Tomás Jolivet, 10 Nicolás Morales, 9 Juan Campomar, 8 Rodrigo Capo, 7 Alfredo Giuria, 6 Nicolás Brignioni, 5 Carlos Protasi, 4 Matías Fonseca, 3 Mario Sagario, 2 Martín Espiga, 1 Rodrigo Sanchez
Replacements: 16 Alejo Corral, 17 Carlos Arboleya, 18 Juan Rombys, 19 Juan Horta, 20 Manuel Martinez, 21 Juan De Freitas, 22 Santiago Gibernau
Coach: Felipe Puig
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2009
Kick-off: 14.00 (local time)
Venue: Broward County Regional Park, Lauderhill, Florida
Expected weather conditions: Partly sunny with a 10% chance of showers with a high of 29°C, dropping to 21°C
Referee: Dave Smortchevsky (Canada)
Assistant referees: Bryan Arciero (Canada), Derek Stoltz (Canada)
