Tolkin names Eagles for Samoa

USA Eagles head Coach Mike Tolkin has confirmed his lineup for Sunday’s Pool B Rugby World Cup opening weekend fixture against Samoa in Brighton. Having run Samoa very close in the Pacific Nations Cup, Tolkin has gone for a mobile unit with Chris Wyles set to captain the team from the left wing.

With Wyles on the wing Tolkin has shifted Blaine Scully to fullback. The squad is otherwise largely unchanged from the XV that the Eagles ran out for the bulk of the Summer.

Up front, Eric Fry and Titi Lamositele bookend hooker Zach Fenoglio. The Eagle scrum will receive a stern test from Samoa and needs to be competitive if there is any chance of an Eagle upset. Hayden Smith and Greg Peterson are paired in the second row. The effects of the loss of Scott LaValla are already being seen as Cam Dolan is now needed on the bench to provide cover for both the second row and back row.

Al McFarland is a bit of a surprise being named as the starter at blindside flanker, but again shows how important LaValla was to the side. Andrew Durutalo gets the nod at openside flanker and will be needed to disrupt the Samoa attack. Samu Manoa finishes out the pack at No. 8.

Aside from swapping Wyles and Scully, Tolkin rolls out the expected names in the Eagle backline. Mike Petri and AJ MacGinty are paired in the halfbacks and will be a pivotal duo to keep an eye on against Samoa. The two struggled to produce much momentum during the first half of their PNC match against Samoa only to turn the tide in the second frame.

Thretton Palamo and Seamus Kelly line up at inside and outside center respectively. The two struggled against the punishing midfield attack of Samoa during the PNC. An improved performance is needed to stifle Samoa’s go forward. Wyles and Taku Ngwenya are out wide on the wings with Scully providing support from fullback. The USA’s outside backs didn’t get much to work with during the build up to the World Cup. A theme that will need to change if the Eagles are to challenge in Pool B.

The Eagle bench is notably missing Louis Stanfill, who usually provides a boost as a second half replacement at lock. Dolan and Danny Barrett provide punch from the bench and should be key second half replacements. Hooker Phil Thiel provides veteran experience and leadership from the bench. Olive Kilifi and Chris Baumann provide cover at prop while Shalom Suniula, Folau Niua, and Brett Thompson are the replacements in the backs.

Expect a close match between the two sides. While the USA has never defeated Samoa in four attempts, all four matches were decided by seven or fewer points. The two teams last met during this year’s Pacific Nations Cup with Samoa hanging on for a 21-16 victory after a late surge from the USA. Samoa and the USA have met once previously at the World Cup with Samoa winning 25-21 during the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The USA and Samoa kick off on Sunday September 20, 2015 at 8:00am EST.

USA
1 Eric Fry, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 3 Titi Lamositele, 4 Hayden Smith, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Al McFarland, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 8 Samu Manoa, 9 Mike Petri, 10 AJ MacGinty, 11 Chris Wyles (Captain), 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 Seamus Kelly, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 15 Blaine Scully

16 Phil Thiel, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Cam Dolan, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Shalom Suniula, 22 Folau Niua, 23 Brett Thompson