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Written by Alex Goff
Friday, 19 August 2011 15:14 |
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Pressure on Malifa to Deliver |
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National Teams -
USA Men
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The pressure obviously hangs on USA flyhalf Nese Malifa.
Despite some positive elements to his game – his passing has been accurate, he has showcased some outstanding defense, and he can still sidestep his way out of trouble – the USA #10 has not delivered in one of his primary goals – placekicking.
Malifa missed two eminently makeable penalties against Canada last weekend, and wasn’t asked to attempt any more. His kicks have looked good – high, curving efforts that should sail though the posts. He has just been missing.
Oddly, his one successful effort last Saturday was a conversion from the right-hand touchline, perhaps the toughest kick for a right-footer.
“I've been kicking well at the training sessions, but have over-analyzed it during the recent matches,” acknowledged Malifa. “Consistency is of course the key, and I hope to have that this weekend against Japan.”
Malifa told RUGBYMag.com that he has enjoyed working with kicking coach Chris O’Brien and the work has enabled him to be a better kicker. Certainly the kicks look good in the air; they are just not getting between the sticks. Malifa knows it, and knows now, it seems, that worrying about it at the time could cost him.
But there is more to the game at flyhalf that kicking goals. Malifa is in charge of directing the backline offense and defense.
”We are getting more time together and the combinations are clicking,” said Malifa, who will work with a new center pairing of Paul Emerick at inside and Tai Enosa at outside, this Sunday against Japan. Support and defense are crucial, too, and keep coming up as the USA piles up line breaks, but not tries.
“We still need to finish those opportunities, and have therefore been focusing on those support lines this past week. Work off the ball is important, and it's all about the hustle.”
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Written by RUGBYMag Staff
Friday, 19 August 2011 14:14 |
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Conan and Rugby |
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Blog -
RugbyMag.com Blog
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 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 13:15 |
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Eagle Eye: Changes - Some We've Been Waiting For |
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RUGBYmag Premier -
Columns and Opinions
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Well you’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you?
I know I have.
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Written by Alex Goff
Friday, 19 August 2011 13:22 |
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Hawkins Signs on with San Diego State |
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Colleges -
College DI-A
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USA 7s captain Matt Hawkins has signed on as the new head coach of the San Diego State University rugby program.  Hawkins, 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 |
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Japan Makes Changes for USA |
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International -
International News
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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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