HONG Kong will face a new-look American side in the return leg of the Pacific Rim rugby union championship, to be played at Balboa Park this morning (Hong Kong time). American Eagles coach Jack Clark has made seven changes to the side hammered 46-9 at the Aberdeen Stadium on May 17. Four of the new players are raw youngsters, with total international experience of two caps. The Americans will also welcome back hooker Tom Billups, who was feared to have broken a bone in his neck against Hong Kong. Billups was carried off in the last quarter after a scrum failed to engage properly. But the injury was not as bad as originally thought, and after missing both games against Japan - which the Americans won - he will be back in the front row, along with veteran tighthead prop Bill LeClerc, who missed the Hong Kong game. 'It was an overly cautious judgment over Tom [Billups]. When he came here he was examined and it was found that there was no break. He has now been cleared to play,' confirmed Kurt Oeler, the USARFU's media manager. While the second row will feature the same two men who played in the first game, Luke Gross and Cliff Vogl, the back row will see two new faces, with aptly named schoolboy Scott Youngling playing in his first international at blindside, while the openside will be taken up by Mike McLeod, whose first cap came against Japan last week. 'These two players are both very athletic and will bring some dynamism to the back row, which was missing in the first game against Hong Kong. We hope these qualities will make up for their lack of experience,' said Oeler. Captain Dan Lyle will appear at No 8, a position he first played in at international level in the territory. In the backs, Hong Kong will face for the first time wingers Anitoni Vaea and Brian Hightower, both of whom played well in the 51-29 win over Japan last week, dashing centre Alatini Saulala, and new cap, and full-back, Dan Kennedy. 'The wingers are more physical, while Saulala is a talented player. Hopefully they will be able to cope with the Hong Kong backs,' said Oeler. The American camp brushed aside views that the inclusion of the new blood was an indication that they had already written off the game and were looking to the future. 'It points that way. But we have not written the game off. There is a sombre feeling in the camp as we figure that Hong Kong are the best side in the competition, irrespective of the standings. They certainly have the most dangerous backs in the tournament, who can create space and score from anywhere,' Oeler added. Hong Kong will be seeking to win impressively to add credence to coach George Simpkin's wish to make this tournament a Super 12 carbon copy, where a bonus point is given for scoring four tries. If Japan were to beat Canada in Vancouver, a victory over the Americans would see Hong Kong back in the hunt for the title. TEAMS United States: 1-Chris Lippert, 2-Tom Billups, 3-Bill LeClerc, 4-Cliff Vogl, 5-Luke Gross, 6-Scott Youngling, 7-Mike McLeod, 8-Dan Lyle (captain), 9-Andre Bachelet, 10-Matt Alexander, 11-Brian Hightower, 12-Mark Scharrenberg, 13-Alatini Saulala, 14-Anitoni Vaea, 15-Dan Kennedy. Hong Kong: 1-Rob Grindlay, 2-Alan Clark, 3-Dean Herewini, 4-Stuart Krohn, 5-Steve Pengelly, 6-Paul Dingley, 7-Brent Edwards, 8-Jon Dingley, 9-Warren Warner, 10-Carl Murray, 11-Luke Nabaro, 12-Wiremu Maunsell (captain), 13-Riaz Fredericks, 14-Chris Gordon, 15-Nigel D'Acre.
