Australia vs USA
September 23, 2011
Wellington Regional Stadium
September 23, 2011
Wellington Regional Stadium
Australia will play against USA in 2011 Rugby World Cup at Wellington Regional Stadium September 23, 2011. After their shock defeat to Ireland, Australia go in search of a moral boosting win when they face Eddie O’Sullivan’s America side in their Pool C clash at Wellington Regional Stadium on Friday morning, kick off 9.30am Irish time.
Australia began as favourite in Pool C and looked the part against Italy, coping with a strong Azzurri forward effort before launching a match-winning 15-minute burst that netted four tries. But that all came undone against Ireland, when the Wallabies never got to grips with the rugged Irish defence and created few chances; those that were available for a few fleeting moments tended to vanish beneath a smother of green jerseys as the Ireland forwards dominated the physical exchanges.
While US coach Eddie O'Sullivan said there is "no question" his team will feel the backlash from a loss that is expected to consign the Wallabies to the pool runner-up spot, likely placing defending champion South Africa and top-ranked New Zealand in their path to the final.
Australia vs USA Preview
DATE: Friday September 23, 2011
KICK-OFF: 2030 NZST (1830 AEST)
VENUE: Wellington Regional Stadium
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Played 6: Australia 6, USA 0
HEAD-TO-HEAD IN WORLD CUPS: Played 2: Australia 2, USA 0
LAST TIME: October 14, 1999 (Limerick, RWC): Australia 55-19 USA
Teams
Australia: Kurtley Beale, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Fainga'a, Rob Horne, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (captain); Wycliff Palu, Ben McCalman, Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper. Reserves: Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu, Dan Vickerman, Radike Samo, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Pat McCabe.
United States: Blaine Scully, Colin Hawley, Tai Enosa, Junior Sifa, Kevin Swiryn, Nese Malifa, Tim Usasz (captain); Johnathan Gagiano, Patrick Danahy, Inaki Basauri, Hayden Smith, Scott LaValla, Eric Fry, Phil Thiel, Shawn Pittman. Reserves: Brian McClenahan, Mate Moeakiola, Louis Stanfill, Nic Johnson, Mike Petri, Roland Suniula, Chris Wyles.
