I appreciate the outstanding response to our latest Q&A session. There is a lot happening in the world of American rugby so there is lots to talk about.
Why was Davies dropped from the Eagles squad for the Italy match?
I don't think there was anything wrong with Davies play. When he did get in matches he played fairly well and should get another look in the future, possibly this fall with the Select XV. This camp was more of a gentle easing into the national team for players like Davies and Holder. As to his absence in the Italy match, I think it simply came down to rewarding Timoteo for practicing so well in camp. Mike Tolkin didn't know how Davies would react to the international level so he also called in Timoteo. It's not bad to reward a guy for the effort. That being said, the future is clearly with Davies.
When/where are the Eagles' November tests in Europe?
The Eagles will be playing Tonga, Russia, and Romania in the fall. No word yet on where the Tonga match will be held (I personally think it should be held in Germany near the U.S. military bases near Heidelberg). The matches against Russia and Romania will be held in those countries. I hope the Russia match will be held down south because a November game in Moscow or St. Petersburg will be cold. Matches have previously held in Sochi (but that is where the Winter Olympics will be held). The match in Romania should be in Bucharest.
Where was Zee Ngwenya during the test series? I don't remember readying anything about his playing status.
I know fans are nervous about whether Ngwenya still has interest in playing for the Eagles. Relax, he does. Ngwenya needed the rest. Think about it, in the last two years the only break he received was from the end of the Top 14 season last year to the Eagles matches against Canada ahead of the World Cup. He didn't get any post World Cup rest and played in almost every single match for Biarritz this last season. He deserved a break. Plus, Mike Tolkin already knows what he is getting with Zee and it would be more beneficial for all involved to see what a player like Luke Hume can do. Come November, Ngwenya will once again be in his usual spot.
Did U.S.A. Rugby make a profit on the Italy match?
$15 x 17,214 = $258,210. That is the minimum that U.S.A. Rugby made off ticket sales for the match. Odds are the figure is much higher than that. However, I'm sure BBVA Compass Stadium wasn't cheap and took out a considerable chunk of that money. Still, because a visiting Tier I nation was designed to be a replacement of the Churchill Cup, some IRB money was included for the tour. When all is said and done my guess is that U.S.A. Rugby did pick up some money but not a lot. I know for the women's team to assemble it costs $20k or more so the Eagles assembly couldn't have been cheap. The Italy match may pay more in the long run however, since it drew a lot of attention to the team.
Any idea as to where next summer's test matches will be held?
No clue as of yet. I wouldn't rule out a place like Boston (can someone say U.S. vs. Ireland at Fenway Park). Seattle could also be a great place to host a team like Canada. I know (from having recently lived there) that a test match would draw really well in the right venue. The same goes for Portland, who has a more suitable stadium than Seattle. Glendale will of course get their match.
Does Brian Doyle have any further interest in playing rugby overseas?
I'm sure Doyle, like much of the team, has interest in playing overseas but it has to be the right situation. Can he get a visa? Is it a pro contract? Doyle isn't a 21 year old with all options on the table, he has a life in New York that he can't give up to go play with a non-pro team in Australia. Sadly there is no pro league for players like Doyle in this country. That is what we really need.
Have you heard anything about potential American venues for the home and away vs. my Canadians next summer for RWC qualifying? How do you rate the teams chances as they battle it out for the America's #1 spot?
As for the venues, I see Portland and Edmonton being the two venues for the matches, but that is really just my speculation. The series should be the closest the two teams have had in years. Canada has developed an excellent programme capped off by the facility in Victoria. Things look bright for rugby Canada and growth should be steady. However, the Americans looked improved this summer and are going to give Canada a good run. I actually think the Americans are sick of losing to Canada and will put a little more emphasis on the matches next year. I think they win the series.
What do you know about Pacific Rim 2013?
It's going to happen. Beyond that, not much. I don't even think the federations know exactly how it is going to work. The last I heard it will work similarly to the Six Nations B in Europe in that it will run over two years. I love that format. There is no rush to play everyone in a year. One suggestion has been to hold a finals week in Hawaii. That may happen but I don't think it's the best idea for the tournament. It's not like this tournament will get people traveling to the Islands. Hopefully it will be home and away matches.
Supposedly the U.S. would play Canada in the summer, as well as Japan and one of the Pacific island teams while playing the other two in Europe. If the U.S. will travel to the Pacific is unknown as of yet.
Is there any room in the starting lineup for Blaine Scully once he returns from injury or will Tolkin stick with Wyles at fullback and Hume/Paterson and Ngwenya on the wing?
Scully's injury was really unfortunate. I really believe that he would have been the latest American to get an overseas contract if it hadn't had happened. Absolutely there is room for him on the back line. Since Andrew Suniula and Paul Emerick will be suspended for Tonga, I actually think you'll see Wyles shift to the center leaving room for Scully.
Who will take over for Emerick and Suniula considering both are on the wrong side of 30? Seamus Kelly?
I think that Emerick and Suniula can make it to the next World Cup, but Tolkin has to be a little concerned about the depth at centre. Paterson and Wyles can both play there and may do, but there isn't a #12 waiting in the wings. Junior Sifa and Tai Enosa were the backup centers at the World Cup. Sifa moved on and Enosa play 7's. Kelly is a possibility but I think that the answer is a player yet to be discovered.
Does Dave Ryan not have interest in playing for the Eagles?
I think he does, he just may not make the cut. I would have to see him play more to get a good gauge but I think his interest is there.
What college teams are slated to be involved in the Varsity Cup?
Confirmed teams include BYU, Utah, and Cal. Dartmouth may also be in the mix. (Watch, all the teams will be announced by the time I get this posted). The tournament will be divided into East and West brackets so based on that, BYU, Utah, are locks in the West. A team like St. Mary's, Central Washington, Air Force, or Arizona could join them. Based on marketing, Air Force or Arizona make the most sense.
In the East, Dartmouth and Davenport are logical choices, as is Army. Based off playing ability, Life may be another good option. However, part of the tournament is that teams can't compete in the DI-A playoffs and the Varsity Cup at the same time. Given that, Life may have opted out.
Well, this has been a lot of fun. Hopefully I answered some of you questions. As always, if you have a question, post it in the comments somewhere on this site and odds are I will get to it.
