US Coaching Staff Adds Roger Gould as Technical Advisor

(Berkeley, California) 13 April 1999 -- Former Australian test fullback and accomplished coach Roger Gould has joined the US National Team coaching staff as a technical advisor.

The Brisbane, Australia-based veteran of 25 internationals recently joined head coach Jack Clark and assistants Michael de Jong, Eddie O'Sullivan, and John Moore at a preseason strategy and planning meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Gould will muster with the Eagles for much of the team's Epson Cup schedule as well as its July tour of Australia and October's Rugby World Cup.

"Roger brings a valuable international perspective to our staff," coach Clark said. "His experience and insight are sure to boost our efforts in this World Cup year."

In his heyday, Gould was a star performer for the Wallabies, especially during Australia's Grand Slam-winning tour of the British Isles in 1984. Injury disrupted parts of his career, however, including the 1987 World Cup, in which he missed a pool round match against the US.

"A strong showing at the World Cup would mean a lot to rugby in America, and so it's a great year to be involved with the Eagles," Gould said.

Reporting to Clark, Gould joins assistants de Jong, current head man of the Denver Barbarians and winner of nine caps for the Eagles; O'Sullivan, a former Irish provincial player and Triple Crown-winning Ireland U21 coach who doubles as USA Rugby's National Technical Director; and Moore, a Welsh-based scrummaging specialist.

Separately, Rick Humm has signed on as US National Team Manager for the 1999 season. Humm, who managed the team on the road leg of the 1998 Pacific Rim and also last year's tour to Fiji, has served on the staff of USA Rugby's All-American program since 1993. A member of the National Technical Panel, he has also been head coach of the Pacific Coast's collegiate representative program, an outfit that has captured eight straight national championships.

Veteran Eagle physiotherapist Eddie Ayub and Dr. Warren King, a noted sports medicine professional in charge of several San Francisco area pro sports franchises, round out the Eagles' match staff.

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Scott Compton
USA National Rugby Team
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