Paul Emerick has received a five-week suspension for a spear tackle on England’s Olly Barkley, a sentence that appears to end the center’s World Cup.
It was not clear whether the United States would appeal the decision, or whether any appeal would allow Emerick to play in Wednesday’s Tonga match. USA Rugby did not respond to queries.
Update: Emerick's sentence will be appealed, but he cannot play against Tonga, according to union officials. Albert Tuipulotu will be the starting center, and Phil Eloff will go to the reserves bench.
The Eagles had named an unchanged side for the Montpellier contest, which sees the Americans begin as favorites on the strength of a strong showing against England. The two sides split two contests Pacific Rim contests in 1999-2000.
England prop Phil Vickery was suspended two matches for tripping Emerick earlier in the match. Flanker Schalk Burger was given a four-game ban for a dangerous tackle during South Africa’s match with Samoa.
Tickets have gone on sale for the USA 7s tournament, set for February 9-10 in San Diego. Last year’s event set an attendance record of 30,000, and organizers are expecting Mexico’s return to the IRB Sevens World Series tour stop to boost crowds.
United States of America
Chris Wyles (Nottingham); Salesi Sika (Beziers), Albert Tuipulotu (San Mateo), Vaha Esikia (San Mateo), Takudzwa Ngwenya (Dallas AC); Mike Hercus (captain, Belmont Shore), Chad Erskine (Waterloo); Mike MacDonald (Leeds Tykes), Owen Lentz (Maryland Exiles), Chris Osentowski (Belmont Shore), Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen), Mike Mangan (Denver Barbarians), Louis Stanfill (Univ. of California), Todd Clever (OMBAC), Henry Bloomfield (Belmont Shore)
Replacements: Blake Burdette (New York AC), Mate Moeakiola (Park City), Hayden Mexted (St. Louis Bombers), Inaki Basauri (Massy), Mike Petri (Belmont Shore),Valenese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Phil Eloff (Chicago Lions)
Any word on Emerick's appeal? I saw that Burger already had an appeal hearing and his suspension was reduced.
Posted by: Steve | 13 September 2007 at 13:50