Tag Archives: Pacific Nations Cup

Canada change three for Tonga match

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There will be no major overhaul after all. Canada has sprung a surprise with only three changes to the side that lost to Japan in San Jose, all in the pack. Major changes had been expected with a vastly different team used in training, but head coach Kieran Crowley has instead …

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Tonga names team to face Canada

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Mana Otai has opted to make only four changes to the Ikale Tahi side to face Canada on Friday in Burnaby. Tonga fell to Fiji on Saturday 30-22, but put in a credible performance and were leading heading into the final quarter of the match. Tevita Mailau is the only change …

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Uchida starts for Japan against Eagles

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Keisuke Uchida will make just his second test start, and first against a Tier 2 rugby nation, as he lines up for Japan at scrumhalf on Friday against the US Eagles. Uchida switches spots with Atsushi Hiwasa, having earned his only previous start against the United Arab Emirates in 2013. …

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Talking Rugby (Vol. 2, Iss. 12): Clevergate

You’d think that the opening of the Pacific Nations Cup this past week would have been the big story of the week. Right? Nope. The USA nearly pulled off an upset over Samoa? Eh, not the top story. The most talked about story this past week in the USA was …

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Crowley set to ring the changes

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Canada look likely to field almost an entirely new side against Tonga in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Friday. Sources have indicated to Americas Rugby News that as many as 11 changes will be made from the side that lost to Japan, with only Hubert Buydens, …

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Canada starts slow in PNC

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The first international hit-out of the year is usually a bit disjointed, and that’s certainly what we saw in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji and Tonga looked about the same, a bit unfamiliar with each other, but with enough class to put together some exciting passages. …

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The Americas Up and Under of the Week

The Americas Up and Under is a weekly feature on Americas Rugby News which reviews the pros and cons from the weekend. Up AJ MacGinty debut A number of players boosted their Rugby World Cup chances substantially this weekend and none more so than USA Eagles debutant AJ MacGinty. Having …

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Americas Team of the Week

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It wasn’t a great week for the Americas teams in either the Rugby Championship or the Pacific Nations Cup, with three losses from three. As such it might be easier to select a ‘mediocre’ XV, but we can only work with what we’re given. Here is the Americas Team of …

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Breaking Down the USA’s Loss to Samoa

The USA Eagles opened up their Pacific Nations Cup campaign this past weekend with a 21-16 loss to Samoa in San Jose, California. The Eagles fell behind early and used a second half surge to nearly upset 9th ranked Samoa. While the team and management are certainly disappointed in the final …

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Todd Clever suspended, in doubt for World Cup

The governing body of rugby in the United States, USA Rugby has stated that former captain and veteran of three Rugby World Cups, Todd Clever effective immediately, has been released from the Eagles’ Pacific Nations Cup squad due to multiple squad conduct violations. Without detailing the specifics Head Coach Mike Tolkin …

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