Eagles taking 'perfect mix' to Aspen for World Cup
Article Published: Sunday 15 July 2007


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US men's national team head coach Peter Thorburn, has selected 37 players set to train in Aspen, Colorado between July 21-28, in preparation for the World Cup.

Following the conclusion of the North America 4 tournament in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Thorburn determined the squad, from which 30 players will consist the team that he takes to France.

"My intention has always been to try to create environments for people to reach their potential and the NA4 provided the perfect avenue for just that," said Thorburn of the tournament, in which the two USA teams, the Falcons and Hawks, finished second and third respectively, sadnwiched between winners Canada West and fourth-placed Canada East.

"It was a difficult decision to make, but the final piece of the jigsaw fell into place during that last evening," Thorburn said.

"I really feel we have selected the perfect mix of players and personalities. And, it will be rather unlikely for anybody not currently listed, barring injury or family emergencies, to make the World Cup team."

"We have selected several versatile players for this squad," Thorburn added.

"We have chosen three half-backs and three hookers, because those are positions that need extra cover in case of accidents during preparation for France. And hooker Owen Lentz may have the opportunity to play flanker, as well.

"We have picked up seven props, because if we can't get the front row right, we won't give ourselves a competitive chance.

"The progress that the scrum has made since the beginning of the year is very promising, so we are confident that we'll hold our own there.

"We also have seven loose forwards and several players who are able to cover numerous positions in the back row."

Leeds Carnegie prop Mike MacDonald will continue to rehab in England initially, and then meet up with the team at the Muscatine skills training camp and for the USA/Munster warm-up match.

The Aspen camp is set to be about team-building as well as conditioning, with plenty of outdoors survival activities planned.

USA Rugby World Cup training squad:

Forwards: Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnagie), Matekitonga Moeakiola (Park City Haggis), Mike French (OMBAC), Chris Moreno (Denver Barbarians), Chris Osentowski (Belmont Shore), John Vitale (Chicago Lions), Brian LeMay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds), Blake Burdette (NYAC), Mark Crick (PAC), Owen Lentz (Maryland Exiles), Mike Mangan (Denver Barbarians), Hayden Mexted (St. Louis), Alec Parker (Aspen), Luke Gross (Doncaster Knights), John Van Der Giessen (Santa Barbara), Inaki Basauri (Massy RFC), Mark Aylor (Denver Barbarians), Tasi Mounga (San Francisco Golden Gate), Todd Clever (OMBAC), Dan Payne (OMBAC), Louis Stanfill (UC Berkeley), Henry Bloomfield (Belmont Shore).

Backs: Chad Erskine (Waterloo), Mike Petri (Belmont Shore) Tyson Meek (Nottingham), Mike Hercus (Belmont Shore), Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Phillip Eloff (Chicago Lions), Vaha Esikia (San Mateo/Las Vegas), Albert Tuipulotu (San Mateo), Paul Emerick (Newport-Gwent Dragons), Thretton Palamo (San Francisco Golden Gate), Chris Wyles (Northhampton), Salesi Sika (Beziers), Takudzwa 'Zee' Ngwenya (Dallas Athletic Club), Francois Viljoen (Belmont Shore), Andrew 'Tui' Osborne (OMBAC).


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