Squads named for North American Four first leg
Squads named for NA4 first leg
19 MARCH 2007
IRB.com
The four representative sides in the IRB North America 4 tournament – Canada West, Canada East, USA Falcons and USA Hawks – have selected their squads for the opening fixtures on 7 April.
Defending champions Canada West face Canada East at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, followed by the USA Falcons versus the USA Hawks in San Diego.
“We think this competition will give our domestic based played further quality competition as they continue to improve their overall playing strength leading into the World Cup later this year,” Canada head coach Ric Suggitt said.
The IRB North America 4 tournament then takes a month’s break before two double headers – on May 9 and 12 – at Stanford University in the American rugby heartland of North California, not in Seattle where USA Rugby had initially planned to host the matches.
“Hosting the North America 4 series at Stanford University in early May creates an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the US in elite international competition to all levels of players and supporters,” USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville said.
The Canada West squad, coached by Tony Medina, is missing two players at the moment, while the USA Falcons and USA Hawks have named extended squads for the first round of fixtures in the second annual IRB North America 4 tournament.
Canada West squad:
Hubert Buydens, Mark Lawson, Jon Thiel, Tyler Hotson, Aidan Buan, Nanyak Dala, Adam Kleeberger, David Biddle, Pat Fleck, Dave Spicer, Chris Pack, Mark Fisher, Craig Culpan, DTH van der Merwe, Eric Wilson, Patrick Desaulles, Pat Riordan, Scott Franklin, Mike Mackay, Cody Berg, Spencer Dalziel, Daniel White, Robbie Corcoran, Brendan Singbeil, plus two still to be named.
Head Coach: Tony Medina
Coach: Ian Hyde-lay
Canada East squad:
Aaron Abrams, Aaron Carpenter, Chauncey O’Toole, Brian Mckenzie, Carl Pocock, Ciaran Hearn, Dan Pletch, Dave Neilson, Dean Van Camp, Derek Daypuck, Frank Walsh, Jarod Selby, Jeb Sinclair, Jordan Kozina, Kevin Parfrey, Kris Witkowski, Matt Phinney, Matt Weingart, Mike Pletch, Mike Simpson, Mike Webb, Robert Wilson, Scott Dunham, Steve Piatek, Steven Lamb, Stu Ault.
Head Coach: Simon Blanks
Coach: Greg Thaggard
USA Hawks squad:
Forwards: Mike French, Matekitonga Moeakiola, John Vitale, Patrick Bell, Mark Crick, Alec Parker, Latu Puloka, Jake Stanfill, John van der Giessen, Inaki Basauri, Todd Clever, Jason Lett, MC Laubscher, Dan Payne, Patrick Quinn, Andre Ryland, Louis Stanfill.
Backs: Douglas Rowe, David Williams, Jason Kelly, Albert Tuipolotu, Riaan Hamilton, Nathan Rodgers, Brian Barnard, Scott Jones, Kevin Mongold, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Dom Mara, Jone Naqica.
Coaches: Marty Wiggins and Kevin Battle
USA Falcons squad:
Forwards: Chris Moreno, Brian Olmes, Aaron Beuhring, Brian Lemay, Will Brazier, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Adam Casias, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Ben Weidmer, Mark Aylor, Jason Geurts, Danny La Prevotte, Travis Meidinger, Tasi Mounga, Rikus Pretorius, Ron Rosser.
Backs: Kimball Kjar, Mose Timoteo, Chad Erskine, Andrew Locke, Philip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Alipate Tuilevuka, Jeff Hullinger, Mike Palefau, Chris Wyles, Andrew Osborne.
Coaches: Adam Friend and Don Ferrell
Opening NA4 win for defending champs West
Opening NA4 win for defending champs West
9 APRIL 2007, iRB
Canada West were forced to come from behind to win the opening match in their North American Four title defence against rivals Canada East in Vancouver.
Fourteen points from fly half Eric Wilson helped West to a narrow win, while in the all-American clash in California the US Falcons started this year's tournament with victory against the Hawks
Canada West 26-24 Canada East
A late Eric Wilson penalty capped a fine second half comeback by Canada West as they began their NA4 title defence with a tight 26-24 win over rivals Canada East at UBC's Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver.
Tries by Pat Riordan and Eric Wilson put West ahead early on in the match but East hit back through Jarod Selby and Matt Weingart, plus a penalty try, to build a dominant 24-12 lead at the break.
Craig Culpan's try and Wilson's kicking, however, helped West haul back the difference in the second half and the fly-half's third penalty kick edged them in to a winning two-point lead.
"In the first half we were a bit frantic and didn't secure our own ball enough, but in the second half we took it back a step and did the basics right and got back some territory and got the win," said West captain David Spicer.
US Falcons 48-17 US Hawks
In the all-American clash of the opening round the US Falcons dominated possession at the Little Qualcomm Rugby Complex in San Diego to run out 48-17 winners against the Hawks.
After the Hawks had edged an early leada through the boot of David Williams, Chris Wyles broke to set up a fine try for Andrew Osborne, followed minutes later by a second for Chad Erskine, whose try gave the Falcons the lead.
Inaki Bausari was tireless for the Hawks but when Eloff scythed through their defence the Falcons were well on their way to a first victory, which was made safe by further tries for Mangan, Aylor, Ngwenya (2) and Tuilevuka.
“All week we emphasized the importance of team work," said Falcons head coach Adam Friend.
"In this match our forwards really stepped up and did their job. They opened up space and created opportunity for our backs to make big plays."
Round one scoring details:
Canada East 24
Tries: Penalty Try, Jarod Selby, Matt Weingart
Conversions: Steve Piatek (3)
Penalty: Steve Piatek
Canada West: 26
Tries: Pat Riordan, Eric Wilson, Craig Culpan,
Conversions: David Spicer
Penalties: Eric Wilson (3)
USA Falcons 48
Tries: Ngwenya 2,Osborne, Erskine, Eloff, Mangan, Aylor, Tuilevaka
Conversions: Erskine 4
Penalties: none
USA Hawks 17
Tries: Mara
Conversions: none
Penalties: Williams 3, Mara
Squads:
Canada East: 15. Ciaran Hearn 14. Jarod Selby 13. Dean Van Camp 12. Brian MacKenzie 11. Kris Witkowski 10. Steve Piatek 9. Matt Weingart 8. Aaron Carpenter 7. Scott Dunham 6. Mike Webb © 5. Stu Ault 4. Matt Phinney 3. Mike Pletch 2. Aaron Abrams 1. Dan Pletch Replacements: 16 Frank Walsh 17. Steve Lamb 18. Jebb Sinclair 19. Jordan Kozina 20. Michael Simpson 21 Robert Wilson 22. Richard O'Malley
Canada West: 15. DTH van der Merwe 14 Chris Thompson 13. Craig Culpan 12. David Spicer 11. Robert Corcoran 10. Eric Wilson 9. Patrick Fleck 8. David Biddle 7. Adam Kleeberger 6. Nanyak Dala 5. Tyler Hotson 4. Aidan Buan 3. Scott Franklin 2. Pat Riordan 1. Hubert Buydens Replacements: 16. Mark Lawson 17. Patrick Desaulles 18. Emile Christensen 19. Michael MacKay 20. Mark Fisher 21 Spencer Dalziel 22. Carl Pocock
US Falcons: 1. Chris Moreno; 2. Blake Burdette (Owen Lentz @ 40); 3. Aaron Beuhring; 4. Adam Casias (Latu Puloka @ 47); 5. Mike Mangan; 6. Danny LaProvette (Mark Aylor @ halftime); 7. Rikus Pretorius; 8. Travis Meidinger (Tasi Mounga @ halftime); 9. Mose Timoteo (Kimball Kjar @ 40); 10. Chad Erskine; 11. Chris Wyles; 12. Vaha Esikia; 13. Philip Eloff (Takudzwa Ngwenya @ 40); 14. Mike Palefau (Alipate Tuilevuka @ 67); 15. Tui Osborne.
US Hawks: 1. Mike French; 2. Mark Crick (Patrick Bell @ 47); 3. Mate Maeakiola; 4. John VanderGiessen; 5. Alec Parker (Jake Stanfill@ 47) 6. Inaki Bausari; 7. MC Laubscher (Jason Lett @ 47); 8. Dan Payne (Andrew Ryland@ 57); 9. David Williams (Doug Rowe@ 40); 10. Andrew Locke; 11. Scott Jones; 12. Albert Tuipolotu (Jone Naqica @ 40); 13. Nathan Rogers; 14. Brian Barnard (Riaan Hamilton @ 40); 15. Dominic Mara
IRB North America 4 2007 (all kick-offs local time)
April 7
University of BC, Vancouver, Canada
Canada East v Canada West (1pm)
OMBC, San Diego, USA
USA Falcons v USA Hawks (5pm)
May 9
Stanford University, California, USA
Canada East v USA Falcons (4pm)
Canada West v USA Hawks May (6pm)
May 12
Stanford University, California, USA
Canada East v USA Hawks (1pm)
Canada West v USA Falcons (3pm)
June 29
Brockton Oval, Vancouver, Canada
Canada East v USA Falcons (1pm)
Canada West v USA Hawks (3pm)
July 3
Burnaby Lakes, British Columbia, Canada
Canada East v USA Hawks (5pm)
Canada West v USA Falcons (7pm)
Finals Day - July 7
Rotary Stadium, Abbottsford, Canada
Consolation Final (1pm)
Championship Final (3pm)
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