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Written by Pat Clifton
Monday, 01 August 2011 16:12 |
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Glendale Limping to Nationals |
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Sevens -
Club Sevens
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 The Glendale Raptors have lost just two 7s games this summer, but they could prove costly. Glendale won the West’s first qualifier in Dallas, going 5-0.
Their next outing, a round-robin event in San Diego, the Raptors swept their SoCal competition.
In the third and final West qualifier, Glendale went 3-2 and finished third. Because of a log jam at the top of the West standings, their loss to the Denver Barbarians in the semifinals relegated them to playing a one-off against the Dallas Harlequins for the West’s third seed to Nationals, which they won.
Had Glendale opted to play in the Kansas City West Qualifier instead of San Diego, chances are they’d have landed in a better pool at Nationals than the consensus pool of death, which includes heavy hitters SFGG, Utah and the Chicago Lions.
Only two teams won a West Qualifier this summer -- Glendale and The Woodlands Exiles -- but the Barbarians amassed enough points by playing all three qualifiers to eclipse Glendale and finish second.
“Obviously, we’ve got a very strong pool due to the fact that we finished third here in Denver. It puts us in a situation to have to play the top teams from the other regions,” said Glendale coach Andre Snyman.
“At the end of the day, we have to play our game, focus on our game plan, try and stick to our structures, and we’ll basically face the team that plays us a game at a time, and if we can stick to our defensive patterns, attacking patterns and our decision making, we’re in for a shot.”
The Raptors have defeated more Nationals-bound teams this summer than anyone else playing in San Francisco this weekend, notching wins over OMBAC, Belmont Shore and Denver, but they’re somewhat limping to the final tournament of the season.
Shae Tamati, who started every game in the Raptors run to the 15s National Title, has a bum calf, which he suffered during pool play in Denver. Spencer Scott, the former Aspen captain, has a strained hamstring, which kept him on the sidelines in Denver. Both range from questionable-to-doubtful for the weekend.
Those injuries are compounded by the ineligibility of Dustin Croy, a 15s stalwart for the Raptors whose 7s season started late due to injury, preventing him from playing in two tournaments. He’s applied for an eligibility waiver (for rule 9.2 a), but a waiver hasn’t been granted by USA Rugby, much to the chagrin of Snyman.
“We’ve got a few injuries, and we’ve got a situation with Dustin Croy where USA Rugby doesn’t want to sign his waiver, although he’s been with the club for two, three years. He injured himself before the first tournament, before Dallas.
“He’s always been part of the squad, and now all of a sudden USA Rugby doesn’t want to sign his waiver. You don’t move rugby forward if that is the attitude of the union. He’s a good player, and at the end of the day you want your good players to go to tournaments like Nationals and get exposure. That’s how you move things forward with the sport. It’s not like he’s a fly-by-night, import player. He’s always been part of our squad.”
With Glendale’s two best forwards not guaranteed to play and one of their most dependable wings out, Snyman is relying on even bigger performances from the team’s other playmakers, like Ata Malifa, Bradley Winbush and Dewon Reed.
“I think players of their caliber will definitely know that they will have to lift their game, because we;’ve got, if I can use the term, a bit of a flat tire,” said the former Springbok.
“Obviously the other teams have a little more depth than us, but sometimes it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the heart in the dog. My guys are not big, but they’ve a really good attitude towards the game, big heart, a fighting spirit, a never die attitude, and that counts a lot.”
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Written by Pat Clifton
Monday, 01 August 2011 11:23 |
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Eagles Assembled, But Some Have Headstart |
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National Teams -
USA Men
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It's no secret that the Eagles will be entering the World Cup this fall with minimal time together. They assembled in Denver Monday for their first full day of prep for the upcoming Canada and Japan tests, but many were dispersed throughout the country and the world before arriving Sunday.
 However, eight Eagles put up their own money and sacrificed the last few weeks to converge on Denver and get some early training in: Louis Stanfill, Eric Fry, Colin Hawley, Junior Sifa, Mate Moekiola, Blaine Scully, Kevin Swiryn, Brian McClenahan and Inaki Basauri.
USA strength and conditioning coach Dave Williams found them a house to stay in, and they worked out at Glendale's Infinity Park and the gym of their head trainer, Michael Keating.
"There were eight of us in a two-bedroom, one-bath house. Three guys in one room, two in another and three in the living room, and that's how we lived," said Stanfill.
"We went to Costco and would pool funds and pretty much would pay out whoever would put whatever food or bill on their credit card, so it was very much not a camp-like atmosphere, but when it comes to training we were getting up usually between 5:45 and 6:45 in the morning to go train."
Joining the out-of-towners to train were Denver-based Nic Johnson and Nese Malifa
"We'd usually lift in the mornings, then right after we'd lift we'd work on passing, defense, a little bit of lineout. We couldn't really work on any plays or lineout calls or anything like that because we didn't have enough players, so it was more technical skills -- speed, jumping straight up, speed off the ground, speed in the air, and then the down portion of the lineout's really important these days. We've been working on a split landing with the two lifters hooking their arms under the jumper's legs in order to prevent a sack.
"We also did some good scrummaging work, and that would complete our morning. We'd be done probably around 11. We'd fit some treatment time in there, because when you play rugby year-round, you're bound to be banged up the entire year. We'd have a few hours off, and then in the afternoon it was conditioning or speed work or something along those lines."
Stanfill played for the Eagles in the 2007 World Cup, and he says the time just being around teammates, which this team hasn't had much of, strengthened the '07 bunch.
"People might think it's important just to train together, but it's more important than that. It's more important to bond and do other things together. Not necessarily things involving a rugby ball or weights, but hikes, small things like that, or just hanging out together or playing board games," said Stanfill.
"All these things are great for team bonding. As the eight guys that were there, we did that. Unfortunately, we didn't have all 35 there. It's a shame because I saw what we got out of it last World Cup, and we put together some pretty decent performances, so we have to pick up where we are right now, and we have to try to make the most of it, and I know we will. We have a ton of professionals and more than a complete lineup of able-bodied guys, so I think we're going to be fine. It just would have been nice to have been nice to have more time together."
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Written by Press Release
Monday, 01 August 2011 12:42 |
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Clemson Announces Recruiting Class |
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Colleges -
Men's DI College
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Clemson, SC – Clemson University Rugby Head Coach Justin Hickey has announced the program's incoming class for the 2011-12 season. The class includes 13 student-athletes from 5 states, including players from both coasts, with 12 of the 13 in the forwards-heavy class having at least two years of high school rugby experience.
The class includes six high school state champions, and five players who competed in the 2011 USA Rugby High School National Championships in Salt Lake City, UT in May. Most of the players have representative experience and have competed for their local union in all star competitions. Additionally, the incoming freshman class boasts an impressive academic resume, and will represent the University very well.
With the support of the University, and the Clemson Rugby Foundation, Clemson has made a real push to regain the presence it once had on the national rugby stage. With Hickey’s first recruiting class since arriving to the program in January, a foundation is being established for a bright future in the Upstate. Clemson supporters will expect big things from the freshman class of 2011-12.
CLEMSON RUGBY RECRUITING CLASS 2011-12
NAME HEIGHT WEIGHT POSITION HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Jordan Baer 5’9” 165 Utility Charleston School of the Arts
Will Carlson 6’4” 227 Lock Mountain Lake HS, NJ/Morris
Dan Collins 5’11” 213 Hooker Gonzaga, Washington DC
Will Harrison 6’5” 204 Lock Gonzaga, Washington DC
Quintin Helline 5’10” 159 Wing Charlotte Catholic, NC
Nick Johnson 5’9” 158 Wing Charlotte Catholic, NC
Joe Keightley 6’1” 225 Prop San Francisco Golden Gate
Dontavius Reeves 5’8” 196 Utility FWD Greenville, SC
Miller Reeves 5’10 185 Hooker Greenville, SC
Jimmy Rippert 6’4” 214 No. 8 Gonzaga, Washington DC
Justin Showghi 6’1” 187 NA Clemson, SC
Rion Tapp 6’3” 201 No. 8 Chapin, SC
Derrick Williams 6’1” 178 Center Greenville, SC
Profiles
Jordan Baer, Charleston, SC
Rugby Achievements: Captain of high school team and founding member of intermural team
Academic Achievements: AP Scholar, participant at Palmetto Boys State, Passed 5 AP exams, awarded the Life Scholarship, awarded the Charleston Foreign Affairs Forum Award by my school, member of National Honor Society and Treasurer of the Tri M Music Honor Society, Junior Marshall for the 2010 graduation class and was a South Carolina Junior Scholar
Will Carlson, Montville, NJ
Rugby Achievements: 3 year rugby player for Parsippany and Morris RFC
Other Sports: 4 year Wrestler, Football
Dan Collins, Washington DC
Rugby Achievements: 1st Team All Metropolitan 2010 & 2-11. 2011 Gonzaga Rugby Player of the Year.
Other Sports: Football. 2010-11 3rd Team All-WCAC
Will Harrison, Washington DC
Rugby Achievements: Played for 2010 national runners up, Gonzaga HS
Academic Achievements: Honor Roll, 4 years at Gonzaga
Other Sports: Wrestling
Quintin Helline, Charlotte, NC
Rugby Achievements: 2 year rugby player for Charlotte Catholic
Other Sports: Snow Boarding, Water Skiing
Nick Johnson, Charlotte, NC
Rugby Achievements: 3 year starter North Carolina All Stars, Member of 3 South Championship Teams.
Academic Achievements: National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Other Sports: 3 year varsity football starter at kick returner, 1 year starter at running back.
Joe Keightley, San Francisco, CA
Rugby Achievements: Nor-Cal Semi Finalists 2010, 2011
Other Sports: Football
Dontavius Reeves, Greenville, SC
Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner Up. 3 year rugby player at Greenville HS.
Miller Reeves, Greenville, SC
Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner Up. SC HS All Star.
Other Sports: Football
Jimmy Rippert, Washington DC
Rugby Achievements: Starter for Gonzaga, competed in 2011 USA Rugby High School National Championship game. Captained 1 game for Gonzaga. Potomac Rugby Union All Star and Rugby Academy invitee.
Academic Achievements: Second Honors at Gonzaga
Other Sports: Water Polo, Football, Swimming
Justin Showghi, Clemson, SC
Academic Achievements: Eagle scout, member of the varsity club, mu alpha theta, national honor society, graduated as a scholar athlete.
Other Sports: 13 year soccer player. 3 year varsity starter at Daniel HS, Clemson, SC.
Rion Tapp, Chapin, SC
Rugby Achievements: Club Captain, State Champions 2011, USA Rugby All American Invitee, South Carolina U19 All Star
Academic Achievements: 4th in Class Rank, 1520 SAT, AP Scholar with Honors
Other Sports: Football
Derrick Williams, Greenville, SC
Rugby Achievements: SC HS State Runner up, SC HS All Star
Other Sports: Football
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Written by Alex Goff
Sunday, 31 July 2011 23:54 |
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Steinberg Tinkers with Women Eagles Formula |
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National Teams -
USA Women
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The USA Women’s National Team have just a short time to come together with a group of new players and a new coach and face the World Cup Runners Up, England on Tuesday.
New Head Coach Pete Steinberg knows it will be a tough road, but has some thoughts as to how to address it.
“We have some principles of how we will attack and defend,” Steinberg told RUGBYMag.com. “We will make changes in some specifics depending on our opponents, but we will stick to those principles.”
Such as? Physicality. It’s a benchmark of Steinberg’s teams, Penn State and Keystone. These teams play very physically, especially on defense, and he will expect his Eagles to do the same.
“We might change our approach to an opposing team’s scrum move or other play, but we will always be physical in defense,” he said.
That is a crucial part of their Tuesday night match against England at Appleby College in Oakville, Ont. England is one of the most physical teams in the world.
Steinberg said he will also be experimenting. He and his staff will tinker with aspects of preparation and recovery, using tried-and-true methods of high performance, but tweaking them somewhat to see what works the best.
Among his early switch-ups is his decision not to name a squads captain. Farrah Douglas, Jamie Burke, Vanesha McGee and Kim Magrini will serve as a four-player leadership group. Other veterans, such as Amy Daniels and Pam Kosanke, will step in as leaders as well.
“I think it’s too much on one person to have just one player be responsible for a squad of 25,” said Steinberg. “It’s kind of an out-dated tradition. We will have game-day captains, but they will change. Off the field we will have a leadership group.”
One of the other changes in Steinberg’s squad is the lineup. Ten players return from the 2010 World Cup, with a couple of others expected to be available later. But that means he needed to pick 17 new players.
“We actually have a pretty good-sized core of players,” said Steinberg. “But we did have to bring in some new players. I took on the job in March, but hadn’t been involved in the women’s elite level in ten years, so I came in with a fresh eye. I watched every WPL [Women’s Premier League] match on video, and every World Cup match. Then what I wanted to do was put a big emphasis on the National All-Star Championships. I really don’t know what club many of the players came from. All I know is that they performed well at the NASC or before. Having looked at all those games, we picked the best players we could.”
Interestingly, the club distribution of Steinberg’s picks is enormously varied. Only three players come from the two finalists of the Women’s Premier League. Teams 3 and 4 boast five. Meanwhile, ten come from outside the WPL altogether.
“We have some very good athletes, and some very good rugby players; some experiences and some inexperienced,” said Steinberg. “Now I want to give them the tools to perform.”
USA Women’s Squad for Nation’s Cup
FORWARDS
Stacy Baker (Keystone), Libby Berg (Minnesota Valkyries), Stacey Bridges (At-Large), Jamie Burke (Beantown), Lisa Butts (Nor Cal Triple Threat), Sarah Chobot (Minnesota Valkyries), Kate Daley (Chicago North Shore), Lauren Daly (At-Large), Farrah Douglas (Washington DC Furies), Devin Keller (Keystone), Lynelle Kugler (Twin City Amazons), Laura Miller (Washington DC Furies), Shaina Turley (San Diego Surfers), Kittery Wagner (Beantown)
BACKS
Sadie Anderson (Penn State), Sylvia Braaten (Twin City Amazons), Rebecca Brafman (New York Rugby Club), Amy Daniels (Beantown), Katie Dowty (Beantown), Victoria Folayan (Berkeley All-Blues), Pam Kosanke (Chicago North Shore), Jennifer Lui (Chicago North Shore), Kaelene Lundstrum (Twin City Amazons), Kim Magrini (Keystone), Vanesha McGee (New York Rugby Club), Samantha Pankey (James River), Carrie White (Seattle Rugby)
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The former USA 7s captain was a key figure on the San Francisco Golden Gate team in recent years. But a nasty concussion in December, 2009 essentially ended his USA prospects, and a knee injury during the following Super League season put him on the sidelines long-term in 2010.
