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USA Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named his lineup to face off against Samoa in their 2015 Pacific Nations Cup opening match tomorrow night at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California. After not having played against each other since 2007, tomorrow’s test will be the first of two times that the USA and Samoa face off against each other in the comings months.
Samoa has named a solid squad for the match and the USA counters with a side that has potential, but a group that hasn’t seen much time together on the field. Team Captain Chris Wyles leads a group that faces a daunting series of matches this Summer as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
In the pack, Eric Fry and Mate Moeakiola are paired with hooker Phil Thiel in the front row. Hayden Smith and Greg Peterson get the nod in the second row. The tight-five has the difficult task of providing a good platform at scrum time. The Eagles back row is an exciting combination with Cam Dolan at blindside, John Quill at openside and Danny Barrett at No. 8. The group is as mobile of a back row as the Eagles have and a bit of a contrast to the more physical pairings that included Todd Clever and Scott Lavalla.
In the backs, Shalom Suniula gets the start at scrumhalf. Suniula has bounced back and forth from scrumhalf to flyhalf in recent years as the Eagles have had a lack of depth at the position. Suniula is paired with AJ MacGinty who is making his test debut for the Eagles. In a position that is up for grabs, MacGinty will have all eyes on him as the Eagles are in desperate need of consistency that they have lacked since Mike Hercus last filled the role in 2007. Without any flyhalf cover on the bench, MacGinty has a great opportunity to lay down a marker for the starting role.
Thretton Palamo and Seamus Kelly are paired in the centers and present a powerful duo. The two will play an important role as the Eagles need to break the stout Samoan defensive lines.
Blaine Scully and Taku Ngwenya are on the wings with Chris Wyles at fullback. The three present the Eagles’ most formidable group as all three have the pace and skill to attack from anywhere on the pitch. Wyles and Scully work extremely well together and Ngwenya remains a lethal finisher.
The bench sees Tolkin balance veteran leadership with fresh faces. Scott Lavalla and Mike Petri are the senior Eagles in the reserves. They’re joined by Zach Fenoglio and Andrew Suniula whom both have experience. The remainder of the group are either early in their test careers, like Tito Lamositele, or all looking to earn their first caps. USA 7s stars Zach Test and Andrew Durutalo as well as Chris Baumann are all making their first appearance for the Eagles at the test level.
“We haven’t had the entire squad together for an extended time for well over a year, so having players like Cam, Danny, and the rest with us allows us to operate from a stronger position selection-wise,” said Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin in a release from USA Rugby.
“The composition of the squad is based on balancing a strong team as well as seeing individuals play in a match situation so we can start the process of determining where strengths and weaknesses lie. We cannot wait until the World Cup is in front of us to start to evaluate players who we have not seen much of, so we need that balance. This summer presents a lot of game time.”
Samoa is coming off a historic match against the All Blacks at home. A spirited and physical match that saw Samoa go toe to toe with the top team in the World before succumbing 25-16. A far cry from the lashing that the Eagles received from the All Blacks in Chicago last year.
The USA heads into tomorrow as the underdog against 9th ranked Samoa. Matching the physicality of Samoa will be vital to the USA remaining in the match. Wyles provides the Eagles with a steady kicking option and keeping the scoreboard ticking will be important to the USA. As expected, the scrum will be one of the talking points for the match. If the Eagles are able to get clean ball to their playmakers, their chances of competing increase significantly. If they are unable to do so, the Eagle defense will see the brunt of the pressure as Samoa has the ability to pound away at their opposition. The Eagles depth will be tested, particularly in the second half as the physicality of Samoa begins to make a mark on the match.
The USA/Samoa match kicks off at 7pm PST at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, California. Viewers in the USA can watch all Pacific Nation Cup matches live and replay on ESPN3 or the WatchESPN app. World Rugby is also streaming the matches live.
USA Lineup
1. Eric Fry
2. Phil Thiel
3. Matekitonga Moeakiola
4. Hayden Smith
5. Greg Peterson
6. Cameron Dolan
7. John Quill
8. Danny Barrett
9. Shalom Suniula
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Blaine Scully
12. Thretton Palamo
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya
15. Chris Wyles (C)
Men’s Eagles Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Chris Baumann
18. Titi Lamositele
19. Scott LaValla
20. Andrew Durutalo
21. Mike Petri
22. Andrew Suniula
23. Zack Test
Samoa Lineup
1. Sakaria Taulafo
2. Manu Leiataua
3. Anthony Perenise
4. Teofilo Paulo
5. Faatiga Lemalu
6. TJ Ioane
7. Jack Lam
8. Vavae Tuilagi
9. Vavao Afemai
10. Patrick Faapale
11. Alesana Tuilagi (C)
12. Faialaga Afamasaga
13. Paul Perez
14. Sinoti Sinoti
15. Ah See Tuala
Samoa Reserves
16. Motu Matuu
17. Viliamu Afatia
18. Jake Grey
19. Maselino Paulino
20. Oneone Faafou
21. Pele Cowley
22. Johnny Leota
23. Gaatoina Autagavaia
