Buy Generic drugs Online

United States joins ranks of discontent over reducing World Cup

MONTPELLIER, France: Takudzwa Ngwenya's stunning run around Bryan Habana could become the perfect case study for why teams like the United States should be at the Rugby World Cup.

If the Americans didn't qualify, Zimbabwe-born Ngwenya would never have had the chance to show up the world's best winger in front of more than 30,000 people on Sunday night.

That and Ngwenya's other performances in France have lured contract offers from big European clubs.

With speculation rife that the International Rugby Board is considering trimming its marquee tournament from 20 to 16 teams, there has been focus at the end of the group stage about who might not make it in 2011.

The United States finished winless in Group A, closing with a 64-15 loss to South Africa.

Canada and Japan finished with a draw and three losses apiece in Group B, and coaches of both countries have been vocal about the need to expand rugby rather than restrict it.

Fiji's upset win over Wales to advance to the quarterfinals and Tonga's brave run that started with two wins and ended with two losses in Group A have highlighted that the so-called gap between the top tier and the second-tier rugby nations is not overwhelming.

“How do they aim for the next World Cup if they're virtually ruled out before it starts,” Thorburn said, adding that splitting the World Cup into two tournaments would be futile. “The second-16 competition is going to be a nothing competition, no matter how they dress it up.

“We hope our series of four pretty tough games in this competition shows we're worth another go.”

Thorburn, a New Zealander with a long list of rugby credentials, was impressed with how the U.S. players handled themselves.

“South Africa are a miles better team than we are, but that was not a 64-15 game,” he said. “I'm very proud of the performance.

“You've got to be after the guts that the guys showed. We've only got four professionals in the side, and we're playing against one of the best two teams in the world.”

Flanker Todd Clever started the length-of-the field movement that ended in Ngwenya's try just before halftime.

Clever intercepted Fourie du Preez' cutout pass, charged upfield and brutally palmed flyhalf Butch James off before unloading inside to lock Alec Parker. The ball went through the hands and flyhalf Mike Hercus floated it out right for Ngwenya, who beat Habana with an in-and-away and sprinted around to score under the posts.

Chris Wyles crossed again for the Americans in the 51st minute, the fullback running from the far left side to the right to pick up a pass from Hercus and roll over amid two tacklers.

Thorburn said Ngwenya “is an exceptional talent, as are a lot of the guys.”

The answer to making the smaller rugby nations more competitive, Thorburn said, was simply to give them more frequent access to matches against top teams like New Zealand, England, France, Australia and South Africa.

And he promised more players like Ngwenya would emerge.

“All they've got to do is get a bit more exposure. It's difficult to get them good exposure,” Thorburn said. “It's a pretty good effort for a bunch of amateurs.”

Hercus thinks Ngwenya won't need much promoting after Sunday's effort.

“I guess the rugby world considers Bryan (Habana) the fastest guy around, but Takudzwa put his hand up today,” Hercus said. “We've seen what he can do at training. We all know he's fast. I'm just happy to try and get it to him.”