Sunday, June 24, 2012

RUGBY TEST MATCH Italy v USA

23.06.2012
Italy v United States in Houston

Venue: BBVA Compass Stadium


Image thanks to http://www.bbvacompassstadium.com/usa-vs-italy

Referee: Jerome Graces (France)

Preview
Italy will be wanting a good win over the USA in Houston, to give them a 2-1 winning ratio on their North American tour. Team coach Jacques Brunel is keen for this Italian side to play a full eighty-minute game and to impose their style of play of the game. No longer is Italy interested in playing a defensive style game.

Italy has made a number of changes to the side that defeated Canada last weekend.

USA coach Mike Tolkin has kept much to the side that was successful over Georgia last weekend. This game is a big step up from both the Canadian and Georgian games. Although not containing a few of their top players this is still a formidable side. I think Italy will be too strong up front for the lighter USA forwards.

Previous Encounters
27.09.2011 Italy 27-10 in Nelson (World Cup, Pool C)
27.11.2004 Italy 43-25 in Bierra-in-Piedmont

Italy Last Five
16.06.2012 v Canada W 25-16 in Toronto
09.06.2012 v Argentina L 22-37 in San Juan
17.03.2012 v Scotland W 13-6 in Rome (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 v Wales L 3-24 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
25.02.2012 v Ireland L 10-42 in Dublin (6 Nations)

United States Last Five
16.06.2012 v Georgia W 36-20 in Denver
09.06.2012 v Canada L 25-28 in Kingston (Can-Am Trophy)
27.09.2011 v Italy L 10-27 in Nelson (World Cup, Pool C)
23.09.2011 v Australia L 5-67 in Wellington (World Cup, Pool C)
15.09.2011 v Russia W 13-6 in New Plymouth (World Cup, Pool C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Italy 10th, USA 20th

IRB Ranking Points
Italy 75.26, USA 67.38

Prediction: Italy by 12 points


Teams

12[1]

UNITED STATES

15   Christopher Wyles Saracens, England
14   James Paterson  Glendale Raptors
13   Paul Emerick  London Wasps, England
12   Andrew Suniula  Cornish Pirates, England
11   Luke Hume  Old Blues
10   Roland Suniula  Chicago Griffins
9   Michael Petri  New York Athletic Club
8   Todd Clever (Capt.) NTT Shining Arc, Japan
7   Scott Lavalla  Stade Francais, France
6   Taylor Mokate  Wellington Old Boys RFC, NZ
5   Brian Doyle  New York Athletic Club
4   Louis Stanfill  New York Athletic Club
3   Eric Fry  Wellington Old Boys RFC, NZ
2   Christopher Biller  Northampton Saints, England
1   Shawn Pittman  London Welsh, England
       
16   Derek Asbun  Oxford University, England
17   Michael MacDonald  Unattached
18   Tolifili (Andre) Liufau  l'Uson Rugby
19   Andrew Durutalo  Old Puget Sound Beach
20   Mose Timoteo SFGG
21   William Holder  Army
22   Colin Hawley  USA Rugby Sevens
       
    HEAD COACH: Michael Tolkin

www.usarugby.org

6[1]

ITALY

15   Luke McLean Treviso
14   Giovanbattista Venditti Aironi
13   Roberto Quartaroli  Aironi
12   Luca Morisi Treviso
11   Tommaso Benvenuti Treviso
10   Riccardo Bocchino  Cavalieri Prato
9   Edoardo Gori  Treviso
8   Robert Barbieri  Treviso
7   Mauro Bergamasco  Aironi
6   Alessandro Zanni Treviso
5   Joshua Furno Aironi
4   Antonio Pavanello  Treviso
3   Martin Castrogiovani (Capt.) Leicester Tigers, England
2   Carlo Festuccia  Parma
1   Alberto De Marchi  Aironi
       
16   Davide Giazzon  Rovigo
17   Michele Rizzo Treviso
18   Simone Favaro  Aironi
19   Thomaso D'Apice Aironi
20   Tito Tebeldi Aironi
21   Kristopher Burton  Treviso
22   Alberto Scarbi Treviso
       
    HEAD COACH: Jacques Brunel

No comments:

Post a Comment