USA Selects Name Side for Uruguay
USA Selects Name Side for Uruguay
LANGFORD, British Columbia - The Eagles Select XV will use fresh legs during the final match of the 2014 IRB Americas Rugby Championship against Uruguay Sunday.
After sitting out the Eagles' 16-3 defeat of host Canada 'A' Wednesday, Graham Harriman returns to the second row to partner Seattle Saracens' John Cullen.
Colorado State University's Ben Pinkelman, who came on in the second half of both of the Eagles' previous matches at Rugby Canada's Centre of Excellence, starts alongside Andrew Durutalo at flanker. Louis Stanfill also moves to No. 8.
Shalom Suniula and Adam Siddall will run the show from scrum half and fly half, respectively, and will look to get the ball in the hands of Andrew Suniula and Folau Niua, who is making his first start of the ARC at outside center.
Troy Hall remains at fullback for the Selects. Tim Stanfill - scorer of two tries in Wednesday's victory - will line up on the left wing with Gold Coast 7s Dream Team selection Zack Test on the other.
“Both of our starting wings are danger men with ball in hand,” Tolkin said. “If they have some space to operate, I think they can be real threats.”
Uruguay has had a rough go of things in Victoria and remains the only winless team at the tournament. With Argentina on 10 points, having earned the bonus point in wins against the Eagles and Uruguay, the Jaguars have already sealed their fourth consecutive ARC title.
The USA, tied on points with Canada with four, could finish second for a second consecutive year with a win against Uruguay and a Canada loss to Argentina. A bonus-point win against Uruguay could also see the Eagles jump above Canada, who face a Jaguars side that has conceded a tournament-low 23 points in two matches.
“We would like to play our best all-around rugby to finish,” Tolkin said. “If we do, we will get the result we want. I think that momentum will help to boost the squad going into November as it did last year.”
Kickoff at Westhills Stadium is set for 5:30 P.M. ET Sunday, Oct. 19. Watch the match live on Rugby Canada TV.
Eagles Select XV | v Uruguay
1. Nick Wallace
2. Phil Thiel (C)
3. Olive Kilifi
4. John Cullen
5. Graham Harriman
6. Ben Pinkelman
7. Andrew Durutalo
8. Louis Stanfill
9. Shalom Suniula
10. Adam Siddall
11. Tim Stanfill
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Folau Niua
14. Zack Test
15. Troy Hall
Eagles Select XV | Reserves
16. Zachary Fenoglio
17. Angus MacLellan
18. Ben Tarr
19. Kyle Sumsion
20. Brian Doyle
21. Justin Hundley
22. Lemoto Filikitonga
23. Tim Maupin
Eagles Select XV | Coaching Staff
Mike Tolkin - Head Coach
Justin Fitzpatrick - Assistant Coach
Nate Osborne - Assistant Coach
David Williams - Strength and Conditioning Coach
Chris O'Brien - Kicking Coach/Video Analyst
Terrence Cronin - Doctor
Richard Quincy - Physiotherapist
Zach Vyhnanek - Physiotherapist
Tristan Lewis - Manager