USA & Pumas new home away from home

Eagles, Pumas land in Lyon
(Rugby News Service) Monday 10 September 2007
By Flip Byrnes
From Lyon

LYON, 9 September - Beaujolais and champagne flowed, the chandeliers glittered and the podium was dignitary heavy when France's third biggest city welcomed the USA and Argentina teams on Sunday night.

The two teams, who will use Lyon as their base for the remainder of the month, were represented by their chairmen, with USA players Luke Gross, Salesi Sika and Thretton Palamo also attending.

There to extend a warm greeting were Lyon's senateur-maire Gerard Collomb and more than three hundred guests, representing the city's sporting, government and social sectors.

Collomb said: "After the French team, of course Argentina and USA will be our favourite teams."

The USA team arrived in upbeat mood after their excellent showing in losing 28-10 to world champions England in Lens on Saturday.

Lock Gross, who missed the England match because of a back injury, said: "Look at our tight five. Do you even know who these guys are? Number one plays for Leeds, number two is an art teacher, number three is an IT resource manager, number four is a rancher and number five is a roofer.


"And we played a full game against professionals and one of the best teams in the world - and played well with an opportunity to win. I'm so proud of our guys."

USA Rugby chairman Nigel Melville said it would have been unfair if the winning margin had been any wider. The final score reflected the hard work the team had put in to make it to RWC 2007.

A former England scrum half who retired in 1988, Melville said his allegiances were never in doubt during Saturday's match. "USA. I work for the Americans now," he said, before adding with a smile: "However, I will be supporting England in the remainder of their games."

USA dis really well, Pumas gave an upset win and played out of their skins.
Must be something in the water at Lyon!

Maybe thats where they hid the holy grail !