USA depart for the Rugby World Cup. Heading for Brisbane.

rugbyrugby.com ^ | 29/09/03 | Not Provided

[.cnI redruM]

The USA departed Monday for the Rugby World Cup after a short domestic assembly focused on team building and logistics, with coach Tom Billups looking for a 'personal best' performance right from the start.

The team assembled in the San Francisco Bay Area for a series of meetings and final preparations for the voyage to Brisbane.

In contrast to many squads who have enjoyed lengthy training camps in the build-up to the Rugby World Cup, the part-time US squad members have been working their regular jobs since August's Pan American tournament and following individual strength and conditioning programs.

On Sunday, the entire squad came together for the first full day of the World Cup assembly, but their work did not involve a rugby ball.

"We have played nine Tests this year and felt this was the right time to invest our energies into our team culture," said head coach Tom Billups.

The team participated in day-long activities focused on teamwork and problem solving, culminating in a variety of high ropes exercises.

Billups added: "The concepts of trust and communication take on newer meaning when you're on a wire forty feet above the ground."

In addition to these team-building exercises, the assembly provided the squad with the opportunity to deal with administrative matters such as uniform issue and medical evaluations. The 30-man squad remains unchanged and free of injury since its original announcement on September 8.

Upon arrival in Brisbane on Wednesday, October 1, the team will have 14 days before competition begins.

In their first days in Australia, the team will work on the continued evolution of their tactical and technical gameplan.

As training progresses, the squad will focus their efforts on their first pool match against Fiji on Wednesday, October 15 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

"Our planning is timed out to put in a 'personal best' performance at the start of our pool matches," noted Billups.

This year will mark the fifth Rugby World Cup, with the United States competing in their fourth. The United States has one victory in its World Cup match history, a 21-18 win over Japan in Australia in 1987.

The USA squad:

Forwards: Todd Clever (University of Nevada-Reno), Dan Dorsey (Unaffiliated), Oloseti Fifita (Hayward Griffins), Jurie Gouws (Santa Monica), Luke Gross (Rotherham England), David Hosges (Llanelli Wales), Kirk Khasigian (Belmont Shore), Gerhard Klerck (Gentlemen of Aspen), Richard Liddington (Exeter, England), Dan Lyle (Leicester Tigers), Mike MacDonald (University of California-Berkeley), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), Kort Schubert (Olympic San Francisco), John Tarpoff (OMBAC), Jacob Waasdorp (Unaffiliated), Matt Wyatt (OMBAC),

Backs: John Buchholz (Olympic San Francisco), Kain Cross (Santa Monica), Kevin Dalzell (OMBAC), Phillip Eloff (Chicago Lions), Paul Emerick (Chicago Lions), David Fee (Chicago Lions), Mike Hercus (Belmont Shore), Jason Keyter (Rotherham), Kimball Kjar (Brigham Young University), Matt Sherman (University of California), Salesi Sika (Brigham Young University), Mose Timoteo (Golden Gate), Riaan Van Zyl (Old Puget Sound), Link Wilfley (Unaffiliated).

2003 United States Rugby World Cup schedule:

October 15 v Fiji @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane October 20 v Scotland @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane October 27 v Japan @ Central Coast Stadium, Gosford October 31 v France @ WIN Stadium, Wollongong

[.cnI redruM]

Billups is the best coach our squad has ever had. Japan. and Fiji are very winnable. Scotland is badly off it's usual form and a match against France should be inspirational in and of itself. This is the year we advance.

[Peace will be here soon]

Japan should be a win for sure for the Eagles, Japan has looked and have played horrible in recent matches. The US beat them 69-27 earlier this year. If the Eagles get by Fiji in their first match, things could get interesting. Scotland, although a good team, may be in the reach of this US team. It will be a tough match, but it is not unthinkable for the Eagles to pull it off. France is by far the favorite ( in this pool), but this may be a better match than many might think. The Eagles are no doubt a long shot to make it out of this pool, but it is probably the best team they have had in many years. It will be fun to watch.

[Revolting cat!]

USA depart for the Rugby World Cup. Heading for Brisbane.

Brisbane? They don't have far to go once they get to the San Francisco Airport!