US Trials Match
Kurt Oeler
US Trials Match Looks Promising
(Las Vegas, Nevada) 13 December 1996 -- Forty-one of Americaąs finest
rugby players square off tomorrow in a łred-white˛ match thatąs to be the
highlight of the US National Teamąs four-day Trials Camp in Las Vegas.
Game time is 1:00 pm at UNLVąs Sam Boyd Stadium. At stake: some few roster
spots during the Eaglesą January tour of Wales and springtime Pacific Rim
season.
The US trialists were picked following an extensive, nationwide talent
hunt, and the point of the camp is to evaluate these players, most of whom
have no international experience. Many of the National Teamąs 1996
stalwarts -- flanker and captain Dan Lyle, lock Luke Gross, and halfback
Andre Bachelet -- werenąt invited to Las Vegas because their capabilities
are known and because they are currently playing under contract in
Britain. However, nine recent national teamers, including Cliff Vogl and
Mark Williams, are among the mix.
The Trials Camp has so far featured testing of the playersą strength,
speed, and endurance; training and evaluation by National Team coaches
Jack Clark and Dan Porter; and an introduction to the National Teamąs
pattern of play. But Saturday brings the true exam, a full match between
two balanced squads.
Fullback Williams and flyhalf Ian Stevens will captain the red and
white teams, respectively, and also steer the opposing backlines. Lock
Vogl will head up the red forwards, while past collegiate All-Americans
Scott Bracken, Glenn Gawronski, Dave Hodges, and Jeff Chenu form the core
of the white pack. The red team is guided by former US National Team
coaches George Betzler and Ray Cornbill, while the white squad is led by
by former US National Team coach Clarence Culpepper and former US flyhalf
and current Denver Barbarians mentor Mike Dejong.
łThe trialists to a man are showing great enthusiasm for the task and
appear to be open to our approach to the game,˛ US coach Clark commented
after Fridayąs final practice. łI have no doubt that tomorrow some of them
will take a positive step in their rugby careers, and go on to contribute
to the National Teamąs future successes.˛
Five trialists have withdrawn from the camp since the roster was
originally announced, and three players added. Prop Brent Heinz, number
eight Nick Bell, and center Finau Puloka declared themselves injured,
while flanker Dave Kenkel and center Tomalati Mafu cited personal reasons.
Number eight Fili Lametta and centers Marty OąConnor and Mel Raikadroke
are the late additions. Mas Morimoto was injured during training and is
doubtful for Saturdayąs trial.
Red squad: Mark Williams (c); Chip Curtis, Marty OąConnor, Boydy Wikeepa,
Bobby Lockerem; Kurt Schuman, King Holmes; George Sucher, Bob Yale, Mike
Murphy, Cliff Vogl, Ben Kalney, Paul Vogel, Jared Allen, Fili Lametta.
Reserves: Broderick Norman, Mas Morimoto, Paul Harris, Tom Kenney, Pete
Palermo, Jude Crayton.
White squad: Chris Morrow; Brian Hightower, Alitini Saulala, Mel
Raikadroke, Wally Lester; Ian Stevens (c), Jason Perez; Scott Bracken,
Travis Kelsey, Steve OąBoyle, Jay Keller, Glenn Gawronski, Dave Hodges,
Jeff Chenu, Matt Winters. Reserves: Jason Wood, Sean Hinton, Scharl
Laubscher, Britt Howard, Derek Jordan, John Coady.
Kurt Oeler
Late Try Proves the Difference in US Trials Match
(Las Vegas, Nevada) 14 December 1996 -- Prop George Sucher barreled down
the right sideline on a 20-yard scoring run to give the Red squad a 31-30
win over the White team in todayąs US National Team Trials Match at Sam
Boyd Stadium. The 78th-minute try capped an entertaining, back-and-forth
match that undoubtedly saw several players win places on the US National
Teamąs January 1997 tour of Wales.
With a stout wind at their backs, the Red team opened a quick 10-0
lead on a penalty goal by Mark Williams and a converted try by wing Wally
Lester. But White wing Brian Hightower dotted two unconverted tries in the
space of four minutes to level the contest at the end of the first
quarter. Hightowerąs first score showed off his athleticism, but his
second was the product of smooth backline passing.
Led by flanker Dave Hodges and halfback Britt Howard, the Whites
carried play for much of the second quarter, yet Red number eight Fili
Lametta earned the only score at 33 minutes, the reward for a strong run
from scrummage. The Reds thus took a 15-10 lead to half.
Williams's Red squad pressed their advantage from the start of the
second half and opened a 16-point edge after 53 minutes. Following two
more penalty goals by the veteran fullback, flanker Paul Vogel bulldozed
tap-move ball through several tacklers for an unconverted try. Bridgend
lock Cliff Vogl figured prominently in all three scores.
A storming try by center Alitini Saulala brought the Whites back
to 26-17. Then, capitalizing on good forward pressure, flyhalf Ian Stevens
chipped a short penalty goal, before exploiting a tighthead to score an
unassisted try converted by Chris Morrow.
Fullback Morrowąs more difficult penalty goal at 72 minutes gave
the Whites a 30-26 lead and appeared to clinch the contest, but the Red
forwards refused to quit, and drove their opponents back into the own
half. Fielding a poor clearing kick, wing Chip Curtis made a strong
counterattack run to set up Sucherąs winning score.
łFrom a technical standpoint, the contest was mostly good,˛ US
National Team Coach Jack Clark commented after the exciting finish. łBut
the commitment of the players was everything that any national team coach
in any country could ever hope for, and I have to admit that it was an
entertaining match as well.˛
Though tight-lipped about selections for the upcoming Wales tour,
Clark made it clear that several players had made an impression. Cliff
Vogl, Jared Allen, Paul Vogel, and Chip Curtis headed the Reds' list of
performers, while Chris Hinton, Dave Hodges, Britt Howard, Ian Stevens,
and Chris Morrow showed well for the Whites. Although longshots, former
All-Americans Jason Wood and Jason Perez also helped their cause.
In article <koeler-1412...@205.158.43.101>, koe...@usa-eagles.org
(Kurt Oeler) wrote:
> US Trials Match Looks Promising
>
> (Las Vegas, Nevada) 13 December 1996 -- Forty-one of Americaąs finest
> rugby players square off tomorrow in a łred-white˛ match thatąs to be the
> highlight of the US National Teamąs four-day Trials Camp in Las Vegas.
> Game time is 1:00 pm at UNLVąs Sam Boyd Stadium. At stake: some few roster
> spots during the Eaglesą January tour of Wales and springtime Pacific Rim
> season.
<snip>