Do you remember Taku Ngwenya? He scored one of the best tries of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Burning South Africa’s Bryan Habana, one of the fastest men in world rugby, on his way to the line. It was a bright spot in what was a disappointing championship for the United States results wise. Losing all four of their matches, with South Africa inflicting a massive 64-15 defeat to The Eagles.
The four losses continues a sorry trend for the Americans, despite qualifying for five of the six previous World Cups (they did not qualify for the 1995 RWC), they have only managed one win from seventeen starts. That solitary victory came against Japan at the 2003 World Cup in Australia, winning 39-26 in Gosford.
The United States will hope to double, or even triple that number of victories in New Zealand. Targeting games against Russia in New Plymouth, and Italy in Nelson, as the prime opportunities to do this. In new coach Eddie O’Sullivan, the Americans have a successful and experienced mentor; O’Sullivan took up the position as head coach of The Eagles in March this year, and will relish the chance to come up against Pool C rivals Ireland, who he was in charge of at the 2007 World Cup.
The star player for the USA Eagles is undoubtedly their captain Todd Clever, Clever currently plays for Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League. He was the first American to play in Super Rugby, playing for the Lions in the 2009-10 seasons. The big haired flanker will lead from the front, with a great work ethic and an ability to run and offload the ball, he will be the one to watch for the opposition defence.
Prediction – The USA have not been in the best of form, finishing fifth from six in June’s Churchill Cup. The team they beat in that tournament are one of their opponents in pool B, Russia. They will be confident that they can repeat that result on the big stage. The other matches against Italy, Ireland and Australia will be tough, but write the proud Americans off at your peril. Fourth in Pool B