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Written by RUGBYMag Staff    Friday, 19 August 2011 14:14    PDF Print Write e-mail
Conan and Rugby
Blog - RugbyMag.com Blog

The new Conan in Conan the Barbarian looks like a rugby player, and is indeed a big fan. The 6-5, 225 lb Jason Momoa was born in Hawaii.

The guy who also plays warlord Khal Drogo in HBO's Game of Thrones says he turned down a soccer scholarship because he wanted to climb mountains and snowboard.

Momoa's great uncle, Buffalo Keaulana, is one of surfing's living legends. His uncle, Brian Keaulana, worked ona surfing movie that attracted Momoa back to Hawaii. 

He surfs, has been ice climbing in Canada, Tibet, Japan, China, Italy and France. He lived in Australia for several years, and became an ardent fan of the All Blacks, and even flew to Ireland just to see them play.

So not a rugby player, just a fan ... but maybe nobody's asked ...

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Written by Alex Goff    Friday, 19 August 2011 13:22    PDF Print Write e-mail
Hawkins Signs on with San Diego State
Colleges - College DI-A

USA 7s captain Matt Hawkins has signed on as the new head coach of the San Diego State University rugby program.

Numina PhotoHawkins, who will continue to be available for the USA 7s team, will lead the team into the new DI Pacific Mountain West Conference.

"It's a great opportunity," Hawkins told RUGBYMag.com. "Things have been tough work-wise for me, as I have been playing 7s. I have worked with the San Diego State program before, and they're a great group of guys. I got a chance to meet with the players and alumni, and when this opportunity arose, it seemed a good fit."

Hawkins said a big selling point for both sides was the fact he lives in San Diego already. He will continue to play 7s for the USA team whenever selected, and added that the team was comfortable with that. Hawkins will not a miss a lot of Aztec games while on USA assembly, but will also bring in assistant Rich Walker to work with him and keep things on an even keel when he is away.

"He is someone I respect and trust and he's going to be great to work with," Hawkins said.

University of San Diego coach Jim Wilson, who is also head of the Pacific Mountain West Conference, was pleased with the appointment.

"I can tell you that as the Pacific Mountain West Rugby Conference Commissioner I am very excited that Matt will be leading SDSU in this year’s competition," he told RUGBYMag.com.


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Written by RUGBYMag Staff    Friday, 19 August 2011 12:49    PDF Print Write e-mail
Japan Makes Changes for USA
International - International News

TOKYO - Japan coach John Kirwan has made wholesale changes for Sunday’s test against The United States, Japan’s last before they leave for the Rugby World Cup.

Kirwan made 12 personnel changes and one positional switch from the team that lost 31-24 to Italy last week, though he admitted he had always planned to play two different starting XVs.

“I believe everyone in the squad should have the opportunity to put themselves forward for selection for the game against France [on Sept. 10]. And I told the players that last week,” he said.

The game comes a day before Kirwan must name his 30-man squad for the RWC and the former All Black is hopeful his team can repeat their performances of 2008 when they beat the Eagles 29-19 and 32-17.

“It’s very important that we go to the World Cup with a win and a good performance behind us,” Kirwan said. “I haven’t set the team any particular targets. We just need to win and win well.”

Captain Takashi Kikutani moves to No. 8 from blindside flanker and lines up alongside Sione Vatuvei and Tadasuke Nishihara in the backrow.

Luke Thompson and Hitoshi Ono start at lock with Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki and Nozomu Fujita in the front row.

The two players to line up in the same jerseys as last week are wing Takehisa Usuzuki and centre Ryan Nicholas, though Nicholas only came into the side as the result of an ankle injury to Yuta Imamura that will keep him out for two weeks.

Nicholas lines up alongside Alisi Tupuailei with Tomoki Yoshida and Murray Williams at halfback, while Hirotoki Onozawa returns on the left wing with utility back Taihei Ueda at fullback.Jap

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Written by Alex Goff    Friday, 19 August 2011 13:15    PDF Print Write e-mail
Eagle Eye: Changes - Some We've Been Waiting For
RUGBYmag Premier - Columns and Opinions

Well you’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you?

I know I have.


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Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release    Friday, 19 August 2011 10:16    PDF Print Write e-mail
O'Sullivan Makes 8 Changes
National Teams - USA Men

Tokyo, Japan – Eagles Head Coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, has made eight changes to his team that started against Canada in Glendale last weekend. The USA will face Japan at 7pm local time on Sunday, August 21, at the Prince Chichbu Memorial Rugby Ground;  the match is available LIVE online at UniversalSports.com at 6am ET and delayed on TV at 5:30 pm ET.

Mike Petri captains the USA this weekend. Jose Lagman photo“Again we have made a number of changes to selection, as this is our final hit out before Rugby World Cup (RWC) and also our last opportunity to take a look at players before we make the final squad announcement,” said O’Sullivan.

The Eagles coaching staff will announce the RWC squad of 30 players following the clash with Japan, with one final chance to book their tickets to the third largest sporting event in the world.

Captain Todd Clever, who plays his club rugby in Tokyo at Suntory Sungoliath, is unavailable due to injury.

Scrumhalf Mike Petri will lead the United States this weekend: “I am obviously disappointed for Todd, but I hope to continue the good work he has done, and set an example. I am really looking forward to this opportunity“.

In the forwards veteran Mike MacDonald starts at loosehead prop and will equal the most appearances for an Eagle (62) set by his former teammate, Luke Gross. MacDonald made his debut against Fiji in 2000, and has played in all eight USA matches during the 2003 and 2007 RWC’s.

Phillip Thiel returns to the hooker position alongside Eric Fry, who starts at tighthead prop. Scott LaValla will partner Hayden Smith in the locks, with the loose trio consisting of Patrick Danahy, Louis Stanfill and JJ Gagiano. In the backline, try scorer from last week, Blaine Scully is at fullback yet gain. Kevin Swiryn returns to the wing, together with the experienced James Paterson.

The Otago winger has played in both the ITM Cup and Super Rugby competitions, having represented the USA at the U19 World Championships.

Tai Enosa will join veteran Paul Emerick in the centers. Emerick will move to inside center, with Enosa seeking to create space for his outside backs in the number 13 jersey. Nese Malifa is at flyhalf, and will be looking to control the match with his halfback, Petri.

The reserves will be Chris Biller (hooker), Shawn Pittman (prop) with lock and loose forward cover through Nic Johnson and the uncapped Ryan Chapman. The backline subs consist of Tim Usasz (scrumhalf), together with brothers Roland (utility) and Andrew Suniula (center). 

“It will be a tough test game, but exactly what we need before departing for New Zealand.” expressed O’Sullivan.


USA EAGLES
15 Blaine Scully (Unattached)
14 Kevin Swiryn (Agen)
13 Tai Enosa (Belmont Shore)
12 Paul Emerick (Life University)
11 James Paterson (Otago)
10 Nese Malifa (Glendale)
9 Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club) *Captain
1 Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie)
2 Phillip Thiel (Life University)
3 Eric Fry (Las Vegas Blackjacks)
4 Scott LaValla (Stade Francais)
5 Hayden Smith (Saracens)
6 Patrick Danahy (Life University)
7 Louis Stanfill (Unattached)
8 Jonathan ‘JJ’ Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town)


Reserves:
16 Chris Biller (San Francisco Golden Gate)
17 Shawn Pittman (London Welsh)
18 Nic Johnson (Unattached)
19 Ryan Chapman (Utah Warriors)
20 Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
21 Roland Suniula (Boston Rugby)
22 Andrew Suniula (Chicago Griffins)

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