SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 Eagles likely to get wings clipped at World Cup LONDON: Although overshadowed by another game played with an oval ball, the United States Eagles head into the Rugby World Cup knowing their sport has made great strides in popularity in the last few years. More than 61,000 people packed Soldier Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, to watch the Eagles take on New Zealand last November. Never mind that they got thumped. They beat a tough Uruguay side in an epic two-match Americas playoff to qualify for the tournament. But pitted against Scotland, Samoa, South Africa and Japan in Pool B, the Eagles are likely to find their wings clipped. With the Springboks among the tourna- ment favourites and Scotland resurgent, the U.S. will be targeting Japan to avoid bring- ing up the rear in the pool. Two of their three victories in seven previous World Cups have come against the Japanese. They beat Japan 23-18 in Sacramento, California, in July, ending a run of five defeats against their opponents. The Eagles have some handy players and an upset against Samoa or even Scotland cannot be discounted. Saracen’s Chris Wyles, the United States’ most capped fullback, will bring his experience of top class European CHICAGO: The Australian National Rugby team, nicknamed the Wallabies, practice at the University of Notre Dame. The US Rugby Eagles rugby to the festival. and Australia Wallabies play at Soldier Field in Chicago today, in a final test before both teams depart for the Rugby World Cup in Wyles captained the side in the recent England. — AP Pacific Nations Cup after flanker Todd Clever, who has Super Rugby experience The man to watch is Samu Manoa, play- is now signed to Toulon in France after four the United States will be the defending with South Africa’s Lions, was suspended for ing at number eight or lock. A terrific tackler years with Northampton. And whatever hap- champions having won the gold medal the squad conduct violations and looks set to and fast and strong with the ball, he is con- pens at the World Cup, when rugby returns last time the sport was played at the Games, miss out on the World Cup. sidered among Europe’s finest forwards and to the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, in Paris in 1924. — Reuters Future hosts Japan eye Samoa confident long-awaited W Cup win for World Cup TOKYO: In Japan, things tend to discipline, but a stronger line-up move at a frustratingly slow pace should have too much power and when it comes to rugby. Whether it pace for the Eagles if the penalty SAMOA: Almost a quarter of a Unable to match the salaries on Head coach Stephen Betham be stadium construction for the Asian count is kept in check. century ago, in the pool rounds of offer from clubs in Europe, New named veteran wing Alesana nation’s debut effort as World Cup Ill-discipline during the PNC was a the 1991 rugby World Cup, Zealand and Australia, many of Tuilagi, who featured at the last hosts in four years time or the work grave concern but Jones also had to Western Samoa pulled off one of their best players have been lured two World Cup and now plays for on the field to bridge the gap on the cope with grumblings of discontent rugby’s biggest upsets when they away from their homeland, then Newcastle, as his vice-captain, illus- world’s elite teams. off the field with the Australian dis- beat the once-mighty Wales at switched nationalities. trating his heavy reliance on expe- Eddie Jones has certainly been an missing claims by Otago Highlanders Cardiff Arms Park. It was a result That familiarity has contributed rience. Samoa have genuine hopes improvement on predecessor John scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka there was that shook rugby’s established to the element of surprise being of making knockout stages after Kirwan as head coach, with the disharmony in the squad. world order to the core, offering a long gone, with Samoa having being drawn in Pool B with South Australian overseeing better Pacific Following their expected group first-hand look at the awesome, built an impressive CV of wins over Africa, Scotland, Japan and the Nations Cup results and test wins stage exit, Japan will look towards largely untapped potential of the other top-tier nations, including United States, with their final game over tier one nations Italy and a heav- their staging of the 2019 tournament, Pacific Islanders as well as the Australia and Ireland. against Scotland in Newcastle likely ily weakened Wales squad. where late re-drafting of Olympic decline of Wales, one of the sport’s In July, they pushed the reign- to be key. They finished runner-up He has also helped pave the way Stadium plans have led to construc- traditional powers. ing World Cup holders New in this year’s Pacific Nations Cup, for playing opportunities for his tion delays and un-welcoming The Welsh became the butt of Zealand, losing 25-16, but prompt- despite missing several key players squad in the southern hemisphere headaches for organisers who need a English humor, with one line doing ing All Blacks captain Richie who are now available for the Super Rugby competition and new venue for the final. the rounds suggesting they were McCaw to predict great things World Cup squad and, as ever, will steered away from the previous Jones, though, will be not be lucky they didn’t play the whole of from Samoa at the World Cup. improve through the tournament emphasis on naturalising foreign tal- around, having decided to leave Samoa, which they, and everyone “With form like that you will get as they enjoy a rare lengthy period ent for the national team. Tokyo after the World Cup despite else, now do. better and I know you will be a of good preparation and train- But the acid test of his encourag- previously agreeing to become direc- But history has shown that force to be reckoned with in ing.”We know that the hopes and ing tenure will be, as it has been for tor of rugby of Japan’s new Super Samoa’s win in 1991 was not what’s ahead. You have a pretty dreams of all our Samoan people every Japanese boss over the last 20 Rugby franchise. about weak opponents, it was special team and I’m sure you will are in this team, and that is a heavy years, to see whether he can add to The team is still without a name, about their own arrival on the do well,” McCaw said. burden, but one made so much their sole World Cup win in 1991 coach and the a squad despite the world stage. The Samoans were Samoa will head into the eighth easier to bear knowing that the against Zimbabwe. season being only six months away, not even afforded an invitation to World Cup full of optimism and people of Samoa and Samoans all With opening Group B matches in custom with the Japanese rugby the inaugural World Cup on their familiar with the challenges they around the world are firmly behind against the powerful packs of South way. doorstep in New Zealand in 1987 face with a dozen of their squad this team,” team manager Africa, Scotland and Samoa, the Oct. When it does get into gear, the but have been a big part of every members already play profession- Namulauulu Sami Leota said. 11 clash against the United States in stiff competition of the South African tournament since, reaching the ally in England. “Every time we travel offshore, we the sport’s English heartland of sides that the Japanese have been quarter-finals in 1991 and 1995, London Irish flanker Ofisa are touched by the love and the Gloucester looks set to be the million pooled with stand the Brave the last World Cup played by ama- Treviranus was named captain of support this team attracts, so I dollar match. Blossoms in better stead for the teurs. the 31-man squad, which compris- want to reassure everyone that our A second string Japan lost 23-18 World Cup on home soil. But for now, The era of professionalism has es 18 forwards and 13 backs, mak- hopes and our dreams are the to the U.S. in their final Pacific Nations the gap on the elite remains too size- not been kind to the national ing it back in time after hurting his same. We dare to dream the Cup (PNC) fixture in July after poor able. — Reuters teams from the Pacific Islands. neck playing against the All Blacks. unthinkable.” — Reuters.