Rugby World Cup 2007 is now knocking at the door. The tournament is just less than a month away. The tournament will be held in France from 7 September. Now, the participating teams are declaring their final squad. Some of the countries have already declared their squads whereas others are still trying to sorting out the final squad. Recently USA has declared their 30 men squad for the Rugby World Cup 2007.
USA will play in Pool A along with defending champion England, Samoa, Tonga and former champion South Africa. USA is definitely the underdog team in Pool A as they have to face two Rugby World Cup champion teams. USA played in four Rugby World Cup tournaments yet but never could progress beyond preliminary stage.
Recently Coach Peter Thorburn has declared the names of the 30 men squad in which seven members also played in the last world cup 2003 including fly half Mike Hercus and second row Alec Parker. Most of the players have participated in the IRB North America 4 and Barclays Churchill Cup of 2007. So, you can easily understand that USA players were in Rugby throughout the year and they had enough practice opportunities. This will be an advantage for USA. In the opening match they have to face present champion England on 8 September.
For your convenience, I am giving the names of the USA squad for Rugby world cup 2007 below from the official website of Rugby World Cup:
Forwards (17): Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, John Vitale, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Inaki Basauri, Mark Aylor, Tasi Mounga, Todd Clever, Dan Payne, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield.
Backs (13): Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus, Valenese Malifa, Phillip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Chris Wyles, Francois Viljoen.
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