Eagle Rugby Blog

In a repeat of 2003 World Cup semifinal, England defeated France on Saturday 14-9 in front of a packed house at the Stade de France.

Jonny Wilkinson missed two place kicks and two dropped goals, but drove his penalty from about 30 meters in the 75th minute.

Wilkinson did most of the damage in the 2003 semifinal, landing five penalties and three dropped goals in the 24-7 win over France at Sydney.

“England did exactly what they had to do. We didn’t have the tempo,” said France captain Raphael Ibanez. “We worked really hard after a bad start to the tournament. We believed in ourselves. We thought we could do it, be world champions. In the end, we couldn’t.”

England will meet 1995 champion South Africa on Saturday, Oct. 20. France goes into the third-place match against Argentina.

Video highlights after the jump…

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USA Eagles wing Takudzwa Ngwenya (Dallas, Texas) credits his ability to deal with the pressure of the IRB Rugby World Cup to his tough upbringing.

Ngwenya has earned four international caps – all of which were at the 2007 RWC - but his performances, which saw him score two key tries for the U.S., have already caught the eye of several European clubs, who have contacted him to express an interest.

The speedy wing, whose tongue-tying name is shortened to ‘Z’ or ‘Taku’ by his teammates, said his previous life in Zimbabwe was always in the forefront of his mind when he stepped on to the big stage.

“Before every kick-off the first thing I tell myself is that I grew up in a hard life and this is the same thing,” said the 22-year-old, who emigrated to the United States with his family four years ago.

“Back home (in Zimbabwe) you have to work hard to get any success. This is just same. In rugby I just have to work hard at it.”

He says his story is not uncommon among the USA backs.

(more after the jump)

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(Video updated 10/8/07 at 9:15 a.m. EST)

Video highlights of the France - New Zealand quarterfinal that ended with a historic 20-18 win in Cardiff. France will play England on Oct. 13 at Saint-Denis.

Included in the highlights is the pregame Haka in which the French squad stood up, literally, to the Maori war dance that proceeds every All Black match. Also included is the final try of the match by Yannick Jauzion that put France up for good.

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After lackluster pool performances against the US and South Africa, many left England for dead against Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.

Instead, England shocked the Wallabies 12-10 and will face either France or New Zealand in the semifinal.

Australia, who ran through their pool opponents (including a 91-3 win against Japan), was marred with ball-handling errors and penalties.

“It was our worst performance of the tournament for sure. Our scrum got into strife and England controlled the breakdown well and took the momentum away from us,” said Australia coach John Connolly in the post-match news conference.

The last time these two met in the RWC?  England defeated Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final (video below).

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Here is the video of the spear tackle on Olly Barkley by USA Eagle center Paul Emerick from the Sept. 9 match against England.

The event took place well into injury time and Emerick was handed a five-week ban, effectively ending his World Cup and putting him on the shelf for his Welsh professional side the Newport Gwent Dragons.

USA Rugby appealed to no avail.

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MONTPELLIER, France – Despite some good rugby by the U.S. Men’s National Team, South Africa was able to run in nine tries to post a 64-15 score against the Eagles in their final Pool A match at Stade de la Mosson.

“We didn’t seem to get the rub of the green on a lot of decisions,” Head Coach Peter Thorburn said. “But all that aside I’m just absolutely proud of them. “They fought for every bit of ground and they fought it out to the end. We think even though we haven’t had a win, we have.”

The Springboks took an early lead in the first half as Schalk Burger marked his return by scooping up a Butch James pass to crash over on the right, before Percy Montgomery reclaimed his place at the top of the scorers’ chart by converting the kick.

With the score at 10-3, some desperate USA defence saw them go down to 14 men as flanker Todd Clever saw yellow. Francois Steyn capitalised with a try on 28 minutes, before Bryan Habana extended the lead and Montgomery converted his fourth kick of the night.

On half time Habana could do nothing as USA wing Takudzwa Ngwenya hared down the right to cap a length-of-the-field move, with Mike Hercus converting to add to his earlier penalty and make it 24-10.

“I guess the rugby world considers Bryan the fastest guy around. Well Takudzwa put his hand up today,” Mike Hercus commented after the match. “I just want to get him the ball. We see what he can do at training and we all know that he’s fast, but it’s about getting him the ball with space. He was born to do that and I was just happy I could get it to him.”

“I’m not sure I out-paced him, I just made him stop,” Ngwenya said in regards to his try against Habana. “I would never have run on the outside of anybody so these games must be giving me confidence.

“The Springboks were my favorite team when I was growing up in Zimbabwe,” Ngwenya added. “So it’s a good feeling to score a try against them. We tried to get some points on the board and to challenge ourselves and that’s what we’ve done.”

The improved scoreline survived for just over a minute of the second half. South Africa spread the ball to Habana, who had an easy task to slide home in the corner, before Montgomery missed his first kick of the night. Then substitute prop CJ van der Linde shrugged off three challenges to cross the whitewash, with Montgomery getting back on track with the kick.

Full back Chris Wyles shocked the Pool A winners again soon afterwards, going over for a try despite the attention of a clutch of Springbok backs. But the South Africa riposte wasn’t long in coming, Fourie du Preez feinting a pass before running through to touch down, and Montgomery converting to make it 43-15. Then, on 60 minutes, an irresistable Springboks move was finished off by Jaque Fourie on the right and Montgomery did the business with the boot.

With 10 minutes to go, USA did everything except score. However, Fourie rubbed in the salt with his second try, with James converting the kick, before Juan Smith went over to cap a good night for the Springboks.

The Eagles board a train at 4 a.m. in the morning and most of the team will fly back to the U.S. on Monday after being in France for nearly a month. The Springboks get a few days rest before taking on Fiji in the quarterfinals on October 7 in Marseille.

South Africa 64, USA 15 (halftime 24 - 10)

USA
Tries: Ngwenya, Wyles

Conversions: Hercus
Penalties: Hercus

1. Mike MacDonald (Mate Moeakiola in at 49); 2. Owen Lentz (Blake Burdette in at 75); 3. Chris Osentowski; 4. Alec Parker; 5. Mike Mangan; 6. Louis Stanfill (Henry Bloomfield in at 75); 7. Todd Clever; 8. Dan Payne (Mark Aylor in at 75); 9. Chad Erskine (Mike Petri in at 75); 10. Mike Hercus (C); 11. Salesi Sika (Thretton Palamo in at 75); 12. Vaha Esikia; 13. Philip Eloff; 14. Taku Ngwenya; 15. Chris Wyles (Nese Malifa in at 75).

South Africa
Tries:Burger, Steyn, Habana 2, Van Der Linde, Du Preez, Fourie 2, Smith
Conversions: Montgomery 6, James 2
Penalties: Montgomery

1. Os du Randt (Bismarck du Plessis in at 72); 2. John Smit (C); 3. Brendon Botha (CJ van der Linde in at 25); 4. Albert van den Berg (Bakkies Botha in at 56); 5. Victor Matfield; 6. Wickus van Heerden (Bobby Skinstad in at 71); 7. Juan Smith; 8. Schalk Burger; 9. Fourie du Preez; 10. Butch James; 11. Bryan Habana (JP Pietersen in at 53); 12. Francois Steyn (Andre Pretorius in at 67); 13. Jaque Fourie;14. Akona Ndungane; 15. Percy Montgomery (Ruan Pienaar in at 67).

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MONTPELLIER, France — On Saturday evening, the USA Men’s Rugby Team held an emotional Rugby World Cup jersey presentation for the Team set to play against South Africa on Sunday. Not only will this be the last jersey presentation for the U.S during this 2007 Rugby World Cup, but it also marks a few major milestones in Eagles history.

Captain Mike Hercus kicked off the long-standing Eagles tradition with some impressive statistics regarding lock Alec Parker (Aspen, Colo.), who will be starting in his 50th test match tomorrow.

Parker, who made his Eagles debut in 1996 has seen nearly 100 players capped, four head coaches come and go and three Rugby World Cups, where he’s started in 10 of the 11 last matches.

“Alec represents all that is good about American rugby and it is fitting that he recieves his 50th cap at the end of his third World Cup. He has been one of the most consistent and best performers in an Eagles jersey over the 11 years and it’s an incredible accomplishment for any rugby player,” Captain Mike Hercus said. “His contribution to the Eagles goes far beyond what is seen on the field. He is the glue in the squad and anyone who has ever played with him knows just how valuable a teammate he is. It is an honor to play alongside a man who will surely be one of the greatest Eagles ever.”

Hercus presented Parker with an eagle statue and invited Alec to also say a few words about his experience and hand out the jerseys along with veteran No. 8 Fifita “Tasi” Mounga.

Mounga, who, in his second Rugby World Cup with the Eagles, was carried off on a stretcher from Wednesday night’s game against Samoa. Although Mounga was released by the hospital Friday morning and was allowed to rejoin the Team in Montpellier, the San Francisco resident sustained a cervical spine injury that has caused the Golden Gate player to reexamine his immediate playing future.

“I am hanging up my cleats,” Mounga said. “Rugby is the sport that I love and it’s very emotional for me right now, but I am just thankful for everyone’s support, not only the doctors, coaches and players, but also the numerous people that have sent me their well-wishes and prayers. Playing in my second Rugby World Cup was amazing and I’m so glad to have gotten the chance to experience it.”

“It has been an honor to play with these guys,” Parker said after his reflection of the last 11 years. “Tasi and Hercus have made such a difference for the Eagles. I wouldn’t want my 50th cap with any other team. This squad is so close, they have been with me through all sorts of stuff and I too am just really thankful to have gotten this opportunity to represent the U.S. in another Rugby World Cup.”

Release courtesy of USA Rugby

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USA Rugby head coach Peter Thorburn named his squad for their final game at the Rugby World Cup against South Africa.

The U.S. Team for this match includes: 1. Mike MacDonald; 2. Owen Lentz; 3. Chris Osentowski; 4. Alec Parker; 5. Mike Mangan; 6. Louis Stanfill; 7. Todd Clever; 8. Dan Payne; 9. Chad Erskine; 10. Mike Hercus (C); 11. Salesi Sika; 12. Vaha Esikia; 13. Philip Eloff; 14. Taku Ngwenya; 15. Chris Wyles.

Replacements for the U.S. Team: 16. Blake Burdette; 17. Mate Moeakiola; 18. Mark Aylor; 19. Henry Bloomfield; 20. Mike Petri; 21. Valenese Malifa; 22. Thretton Palamo.

South Africa’s Team is as follows: 1. Os du Randt; 2. John Smit (C); 3. BJ Botha; 4. Albert van den Berg; 5. Victor Matfield; 6. Wickus van Heerden; 7. Juan Smith; 8. Schalk Burger; 9. Fourie du Preez; 10. Butch James; 11. Bryan Habana; 12. Francois Steyn; 13. Jaque Fourie;14. Akona Ndungane; 15. Percy Montgomery.

Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis; 17. CJ van der Linde; 18. Bakkies Botha; 19. Bobby Skinstad; 20. Ruan Pienaar; 21. Andre Pretorius; 22. JP Pietersen; 23. Wynand Olivier.

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Coming off an impressive, although futile, second half showing against Samoa, the US Eagles have the consolation of playing perennial favorite South Africa in their final match at the Rugby World Cup.

While some bloggers are expressing their discontent with the USA Rugby program, head coach and former All Black Peter Thorburn has a bit more optimism in the future of the program.

In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Thorburn stated that a true professional league is the only way for the national program to become a top tier team.

“The game has got to get the foundations right,” Thorburn told the paper. “It needs to become strong in the high schools and the colleges and grow from there, which is happening.”

With the addition of the NA4 against Canada, as well as the Churchill Cup with England, Scotland and the NZ Maori, the level of competition has risen, but not enough for Thorburn.

“The competitions are not intense enough and until professional rugby is established in the States, which is going to happen sooner rather than later, the game will take a while to become a top sport.”

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