CANADA v UNITED STATES: World Cup Qualifier, Americas, Round 2

17.08.2013

Venue: Blackbaud Stadium, Charleston, South Carolina

Referee: Leighton Hodges (Wales)

Preview
The Americas 1 spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup finals is up for grabs. Canada and the USA will play a 2 leg playoff over the next two weekends to decide who the Americas team will be. This first leg is crucial. The decision is made on points aggregate so a good winning margin first up up is vital.

Last Five Encounters
25.05.2013 Canada 16-9 in Edmonton (Pacific Nations Cup)
09.06.2012 Canada 28-26 in Kingston (Can-Am Trophy)
13.08.2011 Canada 27-7 in Glendale (World Cup Warmup)
06.08.2011 Canada 28-22 in Toronto (World Cup Warmup)
11.07.2009 Canada 41-18 in Edmonton (WCQ America R2 Final, 2nd leg)

USA last defeated Canada in 2009, winning 12-6 in Charleston.

Canada Last Five Test Matches
19.06.2013 v Japan L 13-16 in Nagoya (Pacific Nations Cup)
16.06.2013 v Ireland L 14-40 in Toronto
08.06.2013 v Tonga W 36-27 in Ottawa (Pacific Nations Cup)
05.06.2013 v Fiji W 20-18 in Ottawa (Pacific Nations Cup)
25.05.2013 v United States W 16-9 in Edmonton (Pacific Nations Cup)

United States Last Five Test Matches

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Canada 12th, United States 22nd
NACRA Table: Canada 1st, United States 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
Canada 71.55, USA 67.64

Prediction: Canada by 4 points

Milestones
This will be the 50th rugby test match between these two North American neighbours and rivals.

Should he run onto the park from the bench ‘Titi Lamositele will do so at 18 years, 188 days. The previous youngest Eagle was Thretton Palamo, who became the youngest-ever 15s World Cup participant in 2007 when he played against South Africa at 19 years, 8 days.’
http://www.rugbymag.com/usa-men/9046-titi-lamositele-could-make-history.html

TEAMS

Canada

15		James Pritchard	Bedford Blues, England
14		Matthew Evans	Cornish Pirates, England
13		Ciaran Hearn	Atlantic Rock
12		Nicholas Blevins	Prairie Wolf Pack
11		DTH Van Der Merwe,	Glasgow Warriors, Scotland
10		Harold Jones	British Colombia Bears
9		Philip Mack	British Colombia Bears
8		Aaron Carpenter (Capt.)	Cornish Pirates, England
7		John Moonlight	Ontario Blues
6		Tyler Ardron	Ontario Blues
5		James Cudmore	AS Clermont Auvergne, France
4		Jebb Sinclair	London Irish, England
3		Jason Marshall	Atlantique Stade Rochelais, France
2		Ryan Hamilton	British Columbia Bears
1		Andrew Tiedemann	Prairie Wolf Pack
16		Raymond Barkwill	Ontario Blues
17		Thomas Dolezel	Ontario Blues
18		Douglas Wooldridge	Ontario Blues
19		Tyler Hotson	London Scottish, England
20		Nanyak Dala	Prairie Wolf Pack
21		Sean White	British Columbia Bears
22		Nathan Hirayama	British Columbia Bears
23		Phil Mackenzie	Sale Sharks, England
		HEAD COACH: Kieran Crowley

United States

15		Christopher Wyles	Saracens, England
14		Takudzwa Ngwenya	Biarritz Olympique, France
13		Seamus Kelly	University of California RFC
12		Andrew Suniula	Chicago Griffins RFC
11		Blaine Scully	USA 7's Team
10		Tobias L'Estrange	New York Athletic Club
9		Michael Petri	New York Athletic Club
8		Todd Clever (Capt.)	NTT Shining Arc, Japan
7		Peter Dahl	Belmont Shore RFC
6		Scott LaValla	Stade Francais, France
5		Samu Manoa	Northampton Saints, England
4		Louis Stanfill	Vicenza Gers, Italy
3		Eric Fry	London Scottish, England
2		Christopher Biller	San Francisco Golden Gate RC
1		Shawn Pittman	Trinity College RFC, Dublin
16		Zachary Fenoglio	Glendale Raptors RFC
17		Titi Lamositele	Chuckanut Bay HS
18		Philip Thiel	Life University RFC
19		Brian Doyle	New York Athletic Club
20		Cameron Dolan	Life University RFC
21		Robert Shaw	Richmond RFC, England
22		Folau Niua	San Francisco Golden Gate RC
23		Roland Suniula	CS Vienne, France
		HEAD COACH: Michael Tolkin