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Written by Jackie Finlan
Friday, 15 July 2011 16:39 |
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U20 Women Defeat South Africa |
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National Teams -
Age-Grade Women
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Santa Barbara, CA - As USA Women's U20 coach Bryn Chivers prepared players for their match against South Africa, he used lessons learned from the teams' last double-header in forming a game plan.
The junior Eagles bought in and were rewarded with a 27-3 victory to kickstart its Nations Cup campaign yesterday.
"What we remember from 2008 was that they were scavengers for the ball at the breakdown," Chivers said. "They were very ball-centric in hunting for the ball and had come off some rules that were being tested in South Africa that let them use hands in the ruck. So we worked very hard at the breakdown and had players setting up slightly differently than normal."
The USA centered play around the forwards, who sent more bodies into the breakdown in order to retain possession against the scrappy South African forwards. The backs didn't play the expansive game they would have preferred and ran their plays back toward the forwards to prevent any isolation and opportunity for turnover. It was a necessary tactic considering South Africa's superior team speed.
The game plan prevailed, and South Africa's inability to adjust at the breakdown resulted in a number of yellow cards and red card early in the second half. But that red card wasn't necessarily a turning point for the Eagles, who were leading 13-3 at the half. After fullback Amelia Bizer eradicated the Springboks' early 3-0 lead with a penalty kick, scrumhalf Hayley Anderson scored the game's first try, and lock Alycia Washington went over on a lovely rolling maul from a lineout.
"Things were working well at that point," Chivers said at the time of the red card. "We felt good in the game and knew we could run out the eventual winners. We hadn't allowed any major breaks defensively - there were a few that were contained - but we were able to limit the potential for fast breaks from them. There were a few times when they were in our 22 meter and had some penalty opportunities, but nothing that was sustained pressure."
Even though a man-down, South Africa played great defense and held up a number of tries from the USA. Near the 72nd minute, the forwards kept up the pressure before an overload in the backs was realized. The ball shipped out inside center Akalaini Baravilala, who drew in a player and set up outside center Amy Naber for a try that Bizer converted, 20-3. About eight minutes later, sub Brittany Larson finished off a nice forwards series and took the ball the final eight meters for the try. Bizer converted for the 27-3 win.
It was a nice opening performance for the junior Eagles, especially considering that 13 of the 22 players earned their first cap with yesterday's game, but Chivers identified some areas of improvement as he looked ahead to England on Sunday.
"The forwards did not have a perfect game but they managed to settle late and control the game," Chivers said. "They are the most athletic group we've ever had, but we're still talking about locks who are 5'11" and 185 lbs, so they're big women. They very mobile and athletic, and their size is deceiving."
one of those games where exp game might result in more ops for them than us.
"The backs did well but they were playing to a game plan trying hard to stick to it," Chivers continued. "Late in the game we could've moved the ball wide when we had overloads because South Africa was down a player, and we could've exploited the kicking game a little more. We still had situations where we didn't run good lines, and players got themselves in bad body position, but we were lucky enough that it didn't cost us too much at the breakdown. But England will exploit [those mistakes] and we'll be working on that the next couple of days."
In the end, however, the team stuck to a game plan that they knew would work, and the desired end result was achieved. Chivers credited the entire team with the win and praised players who came off the bench for keeping the level of play consistent. Chivers singled out captain and No. 8 Katie Johnson, and locks Washington and Grace Hovde, who had some big runs and played excellent defense. In the backs, Anderson distributed the ball well and the big, strong Baravilala was terribly difficult to take down.
No one's performance surprised Chivers per se, but prop Monica Jackson impressed the coach with her continual improvement. "This team is inexperienced but talented, but Monica Jackson continues to get better and do good work. She was unlucky late in the first half when she went over for what was apparently a held-up try," Chivers said.
The USA did not take the South Africa match lightly, and no player was saved for the England match. Some injuries were incurred earlier during camp, but now everyone's available for selection against England on Sunday. The junior Roses defeated Canada 39-0 in their opening game yesterday.
"There were times in the second half when we exerted a lot of pressure and had opportunities to score," Chivers said, "and we squandered some of those opportunities. We need to tighten it up because we'll have fewer chances against England and we have to take those chances when they arrive."
A win against England or Canada on July 20 would send the USA to the championship on July 23.
USA Scorers
Tries: Anderson, Washington, Naber, Larson
Conversions: Bizer 2
Penalties: Bizer
USA Women's U20 Roster
1. Dorothy Mittow (Princeton), 2. Jennifer Sandifer (Navy), 3. Monica Jackson (Cougar Women’s Rugby), 4. Alycia Washington (Connecticut), 5. Grace Hovde (Wisconsin – Oshkosh), 6. Mackenzie Lewis (Mesa State College), 7. Amee Svatos (Canby, OR), 8. Kathryn Johnson (Wisconsin - Milwaukee), 9. Haley Anderson (Summit, CO), 10. Miranda Wakimoto (Boston University), 11. Alexandra Brown (Radcliffe), 12. Akalaini Baravilala (Aliamanu Blues), 13. Amy Naber (Arizona), 14. Ashley Okonta (Notre Dame), 15. Amelia Bizer (Woodlands, TX).
Substitutes: 16. Colleen Carey (Colorado), 17. Brittany Larson (Kent, WA), 18. Kathryn Humphreys (Central Washington), 19. Kimberly La Mons (Fallbrook, CA), 20. Kyandrea Mcknight (Central Florida), 21. Joanne Fa'avesi (Sacramento Amazons, CA), 22. Jacie Vonada (South Dakota State). |
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Written by Pat Clifton
Friday, 15 July 2011 15:34 |
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Belmont Beatable in Santa Monica? |
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Sevens -
Club Sevens
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 The first of two Southern California 7s qualification tournaments kicks off Saturday in Santa Monica. The second is a week after, hosted by Belmont Shore. The winner of each tournament advances to National 7s Club Championships August 6-7 in San Francisco.
New eligibility regulations limit clubs to qualifying just one team to Nationals, however, so Belmont will not have the chance to repeat their 2010 feat of taking two.
Belmont Shore will be the favorite in their home tournament, but a rash of unavailability has them weakened for Santa Monica. Matt Hawkins, Dallen Stanford and Alex Ross are working the Elite Rugby Camp in Stanford, Tai Enosa is out with a sore back, Shalom Suniula is nursing a slight injury, Justin Boyd hasn’t arrived in Long Beach yet and Duncan Kelm is playing with the All Americans in Santa Barbara.
In all, that’s six Eagles and an All American who won’t be suiting up for Belmont Shore Saturday, but could be a week later.
“This weekend’s really tough. Nothing’s guaranteed, with all those guys missing,” said Belmont Shore coach James Walker. “I’m sure OMBAC and Santa Monica are licking their chops, but that’s fine. It gives my second guys a chance to shine.”
Belmont’s batch of “second guys” still has more firepower left in the cupboard than some Nationals-aspiring teams had to begin with. Longtime Belmont stalwarts Peter Dahl and Peter Sio will be booting up, as will Toshi Palamo and Taylor Howden.
Howden led Glendale to a Nationals berth in 2009, and after spending a year with the Denver Barbarians, has taken his talents to Long Beach. If a weakened Belmont is to qualify in Santa Monica, Howden will have to factor in greatly.
OMBAC has played Belmont on multiple occasions already this summer, coming up short each time. If there’s a prime opportunity to knock off their rival, it’s Saturday.
The San Diego club, which boasts more 7s National titles than any other club, hasn’t made the National quarterfinals since 2007. But instead of importing talent from around the country for the summer, they’ve decided to rebuild from within.
“We don’t want to have kids who are making it to every practice or coming out to every function get run off by some all stars coming in, and I believe really strongly in the chemistry of these guys sweating, bleeding and getting the snot run out of them and being there every practice and going through that struggle together,” said OMBAC coach Craig Hartley.
“I think it brings them together. That’s what OMBAC’s about, and also creating Eagles. Instead of just having Eagles, we like to make new ones. It’s unfortunate, we’ve lost a few (like Ross to Belmont) because of that. They become Eagles and they decide to move onto greener pastures, and that’s their opportunity. We wish them the best. We’re just going to try and make some more and create some more behind them.”
Also vying for a berth to Nationals Saturday are Belmont and OMBAC’s second sides, as well as Santa Monica and South Bay or a second Santa Monica side.
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Written by Pat Clifton
Friday, 15 July 2011 16:33 |
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Boston Granted Waiver, Can Qualify 2nd Side |
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Sevens -
Club Sevens
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Disclaimer: Sean Horan, NRU 7s director mentioned in this article, disputes Brackenridge's take chronicled in the words below.
The Club Strategic Committee’s eligibility committee unveiled new eligibility rules for the club 7s competition in May. They announced the changes via a press release, which did not include all of the amendments to the old eligibility standards.
Consequently, several clubs were unaware of a new rule (9.1 d) prohibiting them from advancing more than one team to the National Championships, despite the new rules being posted comprehensively and immediately on USA Rugby’s website.
Multiple clubs have voiced their displeasure with the rule, but only one club, Boston, has applied for a waiver and been approved, thus making their second side eligible for advancement to the National Championships.
“There was a situation where a TU 7s director did not seek clarification or read the rules and sent to his member clubs incorrect information about how they could enter a side,” said Eligibility Committee chair Tam Brackenridge, referring to Northeast 7s director Sean Horan.
“The NRU director basically admitted he had passed on the information incorrectly and asked what can he do for his clubs, and we took an individual waiver that was presented from that territory and did approve it as a one-time exception, based on there’s a reasonable expectation that information you receive from your administrative rugby officers will be correct and accurate, and the club had planned to operate by the new rules, got the information and operated according to the information they got from the TU 7s director.”
Though Boston’s waiver was approved, due to the mistake of a territorial executive, it was done so under a unique circumstance, says Brackenridge.
“I can’t say across the board that no waivers will be entertained, but this was a very rare and exceptional case.
“We did not feel that the club itself, if they’d known the rule, they would have split their players off. They would have operated within the rule, they’re that kind of club, so we approved it.”
Brackenridge says Boston’s rosters will be sealed after the NRU Championship, July 23rd hosted by the Village Lions, meaning they cannot transfer players between teams.
“With a sealed roster, based on exactly what they present and compete at the NRUs, they will be the one exception, yes,” she said of Boston, “and it’s not something we wanted or planned or hope to see repeated anywhere else.
“It happens in the NCAA, everybody has the best intention, sometimes there’s a mistake, and if it’s an administrative (mistake), the team in the college ranks isn’t sanctioned, there’s educational components added and requirements of the staff afterwards, but there’s no punishment to the team, and we felt that fell in those guidelines.”
Brackenridge says the press release was not meant to be an all-encompassing announcement of the rule changes, but rather an announcement that rules had been changed to prompt interested parties to visit USA Rugby’s site to find the full list of regulations.
“The whole point of that was to get people fired up to go look at the rules, to understand the rationale for the rules, and that’s all it was. It was just a brief, getting it out there quickly and trying to get everything done before people really organized and set up for 7s,” she said.
“We did learn. We’re going to always include a written disclaimer at the very top so there’s absolutely no question that (teams and administrators should) go to the website and look at that website. And there is responsibility at all levels, but there’s special responsibility on territorial directors, to know the full body of the rules and to make sure their members do comply with that.”
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Written by Pat Clifton
Friday, 15 July 2011 15:28 |
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South 7s Championship Saturday |
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Sevens -
Club Sevens
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 Six teams converge on Life University Saturday to compete for the South’s two bids to the Club 7s National Championships August 6-7 in San Francisco.
The South does not do a qualifier circuit of any kind, rather just a one-off tournament to decide its representatives, but some of the six teams in the qualifier have already seen each other plenty this summer.
The three Atlanta-area teams, Life, Old White and the Renegades, competed in the Atlanta Renegades tournament and Hotlanta 7s, put on by Old White.
Life won the ‘Gades event, the hosts finished second and Old White third. At the more recent Hotlanta 7s, Old White won, the 'Gdes finished second and Life finished third.
Atlanta Old White are the defending South champs. They got off to a less than stellar start in the Renegades event, but did so after losing four starters to injury. Evidenced by winning Hotlanta 7s, Old White appears to be back on track.
“In the last month, eventually our squad has slowly grown back to the full strength it should have been at the beginning of the season,” said Old White coach Brynn Ireland.
“Right now we have, for the first time, what I would consider a full-strength squad that can compete at both the South level as well as a national level.”
Some of the starters lost in that first tournament, like Mike Aaron and Eric Woods, are back, and they’re accompanied by impact addition Chris Mahony, formerly of Auckland.
Life, 2010 runners up, are without the services of several usuals. Pat Danahy and Paul Emerick are sitting out because of the impending World Cup, and All Americans Cam Dolan, Garrett Lambert and Kyle Grossheider are still on duty in Santa Barbara, with one more match against New Zealand Universities upcoming.
The Running Eagles will have former Arkansas State standout Clint Whittler, coach Tui Osborne and undergrad star Colton Cariaga. Saturday, says Life director of rugby Dan Payne, will be the current squad’s first tournament together this summer.
Life is joined in Pool B by the Renegades and Charlotte, who are playing their first summer series in the South since leaving the Mid-Atlantic. Charlotte reached Nationals in 2010, but their key playmaker, former Samoan 7s international Morgan Salesa, is not with the team this summer.
Accompanying Old White in Pool A are Daytona and DII National Champs New Orleans, who are led by captain Jeff Reuther and typically bolstered by the addition of local college talent.
Pools
A B C
Old White Life Beach
Daytona New Orleans Charlotte 2
At. Renegades Charlotte Old White 2
Life 2
10 am OW vs Daytona
10:20 Life vs New Orleans
10:40 Beach vs Charlotte 2
11:00 Old White 2 vs Life 2
11:30 OW vs Renegades
11:50 Life vs Charlotte
12:10 Beach vs Old White 2
12:30 Charlotte 2 vs Life 2
1:00 Daytona vs Renegades
1:20 New Orleans vs Charlotte
1:40 Beach vs Life 2
2:00 Charlotte 2 vs Old White 2
Semi Finals
2:30 Pool A # 1 vs Pool B # 2
2:50 Pool B # 1 vs Pool A # 2
3:10 Pool A # 3 vs Pool B # 3
3:30 Championship HS match or Pool C match
4:00 Semi loser pool A vs Semi Loser Pool B
4:30 Championship Match – 10 minute Halves..
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