It was love at first touch. Invited by a class-mate four years ago to give the sport a try, USA Under 20 captain Cameron Dolan became addicted to rugby.
An ice hockey player for 12 years, he is now fully focused on the oval game as he prepares to lead the Junior Eagles into the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy 2009 final against Romania in Nairobi on Sunday.
"They have a number of similarities - you have to attack and defend, it is physical and you have to be able to perform many different abilities," explained Dolan, who will be eligible to play at Under 20 level next year.
"I no longer play ice hockey; I am solely focused on rugby."
Dolan won a scholarship to Life University, where his country's best rugby programme is run, and is studying Business Administration and Computer Information Management.
The first member of his family to play the game, Dolan has high ambitions.
Quietly confident
"I would like to play for the Eagles one day and, if I get an offer, play professionally in Europe." There is no hurry right now though as the 1.98m and 108kg number 8 has put that goal within a timeframe of five years.
Dolan has proven very strong on attack in the two games he started - he sat on the bench for the game against Namibia as he was nursing a shoulder injury, one his side edge 29-24 with a crucial bonus point to pip Kenya to the final.
"He's had to improve his defence," said USA coach Salty Thompson.
"He is a good leader but we are trying not to overload him and this team has very good leaders to accompany him. He is a product of the Under 17 programme and we are sure that next year, at this level, he will be very experienced."
Dolan believes his team are ready to take on the Romanians: "We trained very well over the last couple of days. The team is now fit and ready. We worked very hard on our defensive structures.
"We go into this game only needing to win; against Namibia the focus was on scoring four tries and winning. We are quietly confident going into this final."
