IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 - Pool A Match Preview

Wednesday 12 September 2007 - kick off 14:00(Local Time), Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier

USA vs. Tonga 

USA head coach Peter Thorburn has named his team to face Tonga.  This will be the second game for the USA, after their excellent showing in losing 28-10 to world champions England in Lens on Saturday.. The USA will be looking to carry the momentum forward against Tonga. 

Luke 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."

So we can be sure USA are up for this match.............

For Tonga this will be their first game of the Rugby World Cup 2007.  Nili Latu will lead the team out at the Stade de la Mosson on Wednesday afternoon.

The Ikale Tahi (Sea Eagles) are chasing their third win at the World Cup after downing Ivory Coast 29-11 in 1995 and Italy 28-25 in 1999.

They are a very physical side and will  no doubt feel they can get the better of the Americans with what they believe is the strongest squad they have ever assembled.

Coach Quddus Fielea said: "This is the best team we've ever had. It is the first time we have all the players available for the World Cup,"

Assistant coach Ellis Meachen said "The team's challenge was to get all the overseas players on the same wavelength as the home-based squad members. "We have a lot of overseas players so it is important we get everyone into the same mentality," "Players focus on different things at their clubs so getting the boys together for the national team is something to focus on."

The Islanders are ranked one spot higher than the USA Eagles, at No.14 in the International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings.

USA Team:

1 Mike MacDonald 2 Owen Lentz 3 Chris Osentowski 4 Alec Parker 5 Mike Mangan 6 Louis Stanfill 7 Todd Clever 8 Henry Bloomfield 9 Chad Erskine 10 Mike Hercus(Captain) 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya 12 Vahafolau Esikia 13 Paul Emerick 14 Salesi Sika 15 Chris Wyles

Replacements:16 Blake Burdette 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola 18 Hayden Mexted 19 Inaki Basauri 20 Mike Petri 21 Valenese Malifa 22 Albert Tuipulotu

Tonga Team:

1 Soane Tonga'uiha 2 Aleki Lutui 3 Kisi Pulu 4 Lisiate Fa'aoso 5 Paino Hehea 6 Hale T Pole 7 Nili Latu (Captain) 8 Finau Maka 9 Soane Havea 10 Pierre Hola 11 Joseph Vaka 12 Epeli Taione 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga 14 Tevita Tu'ifua 15 Vungakoto Lilo

Replacements:16 Ephraim Taukafa 17 Toma Toke 18 Viliami Vaki 19 Lotu Filipine 20 Sione Tu'ipulotu 21 Isileli Tupou 22 Aisea Havili

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