USA 'select' eyes ARC bronze
Following its semifinal match against the Argentina Jaguars last weekend in Colorado, the USA Select XV side is looking to redeem itself against the Ontario Blues in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) bronze medal match on Saturday.
With a completely altered starting lineup and one more week of training under their belts, the USA Select XV coaching staff is eager to see what their team can do.
"These players have now been together for two weeks and the more time we have together, the better the team gets as a whole," USA Select XV Head Coach Paul Keeler said. "They have put aside the frustrations from last weekend and have come to every training session with a positive attitude. The team has a great work ethic and they really want to win."
The USA Select XV will put it all on the line as they face off against the local Ontario Blues provincial side at Fletchers Fields in Markham followed by the bronze medal match and the title match, which pits Argentina against the BC Bears
"We know we can’t take Ontario lightly," Keeler added. "They always have a physical and determined side of players, and the fact that they are a provincial side may only add to their determination. But, I am confident in the side we’ve chosen and our team is definitely eager to get out there and prove itself."
Leading the pack in this second match is a whole new front row with Jim Jewison and Tony Lewis propping for Brian McClenahan. In the second row, locks Ryan McTiernan and Kevin Erskine will get their first starts, while Dan La Prevotte and Peter Dahl will see time at flank. Patrick Danahy rounds out the forwards at No. 8.
The USA Select XV backline is led by scrumhalf Benny Mateialona, while Valenese Malifa returns from rehabbing an injury to start at flyhalf. Newcomers Leonard Peters and Dallas Robinson will definitely add some speed at the wings, while Milemoti Pulu and Kevin Swiryn will bring a bit of experience to the line in center positions and Nicholas Edwards will see his first start at fullback.
Off the bench, Phil Thiel, Jamie Hugh, Brian Doyle and Nic Johnson could see time in the pack, while Don Pati, Volney Rouse and Corey Blair stand reserve for the backs.
"Like I said before, this is an entirely new squad,"Keeler added. "The purpose of this tournament for the US was depth development and allowing Eddie and his coaching staff an opportunity to look at all the players. Between these two games I think we’ve accomplished that."
Replacing the IRB North America 4, the Americas Rugby Championship is intended to provide a competitive platform between domestic and international rugby. The new Championship features six teams: four Canadian regional teams, the Argentina Jaguars and the USA Select XV side.
USA Select XV: 15 Nicholas Edwards (New York Athletic Club), 14 Dallas Robinson (Unattached),13 Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach RFC), 12 Milemoti Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate RFC), 11 Leonard Peters (Gentlemen of Aspen), 10 Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), 9 Benny Mateialona (Life University), 8 Patrick Danahy (Life University), 7 Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore), 6 Dan La Prevotte (San Francisco Golden Gate), 5 Kevin Erskine (San Francisco Golden Gate), 4 Ryan McTiernan (New York Athletic Club), 3 Tony Lewis (Greater Omaha Area Touring Side), 2 Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club), 1 Jim Jewison (Dallas Harlequins),
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel (Life University), 17 Jamie Hugh (Life University), 18 Brian Doyle (New York Athletic Club RFC), 19 Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians RFC), 20 Don Pati (University of Utah), 21 Volney Rouse (San Francisco Golden Gate), 22 Corey Blair (Belmont Shore)
Date: October 17
Venue: Fletchers Fields – Markham, Ontario
Kick-off: 13.00 (local)