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USA Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named his 32-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup campaign. In a bit of a surprise, Chris Wyles has been named as Captain of the USA Eagles leading into the series. The Saracens back follows Todd Clever, who had served in the role longer than any other Eagle. Clever’s Captaincy began after the 2007 World Cup and runs through the beginning of the team’s upcoming assembly.
“Chris has been one of the most respected and successful Eagles of all time and has been a selfless and proud Eagle for nearly a decade,” Head Coach Mike Tolkin said in a release from USA Rugby. “His success as a professional player with Saracens, matched with the respect that he has garnered with his teammates throughout his career, makes him a natural choice as captain.”
“Todd has always looked out for the well being of the squad throughout his tenure as captain and has been an exemplary player on the field before and during his captaincy,” Tolkin said in the same release. “Though he may no longer be serving as captain, Todd will continue to wear the jersey with pride and play the game with passion on the field.”
The Eagles face a daunting PNC campaign as they face off at the end of July against Samoa and Japan in San Jose and Sacramento respectively. The USA then heads to Canada to face Tonga and a to be determined opponent in the PNC Finals day. The USA will see Samoa and Japan again as they are in the same pool at the upcoming World Cup in England. How they fare against them in PNC play could give the squad confidence heading into their Pool B matchups.
Although containing a number of Eagle stalwarts, the roster for the PNC appears to have a touch of experimentation with some new faces on the roster. Included in those new faces are players that come from the 7s Residency Program. Despite not playing much 15s for the past year, all five of the USA 7s players in camp were named to the PNC roster. Of those, only Danny Barrett and Folau Niua initially appeared in line to make the roster.
Noticeably missing from the roster is Samu Manoa. Following a rigorous European season amidst rumors that he was showing wear and tear, it was not surprising to see him left out. Barring any injury issues, Manoa should be ready for the Eagles remaining warm up matches.
The four-match PNC run along with the Eagles’ matches against Canada, Harlequins, and Australia are the USA’s final chance to get their roster sorted out heading into the World Cup. With question marks at the halfback positions, a scrum under scrutiny, and a pack with a number of possible combinations, the trip to England may come all too fast for Tolkin and his coaching staff.
“It’s all a process and this part of the process is getting guys back into match fitness and trying the things we want to try ahead of the World Cup, testing them,” Tolkin said. “For us it’s getting guys game time, getting them back in shape, and whoever comes out at the end of the round are guys who are putting their best foot forward to move on into starting roles at the World Cup.”
USA Eagles Roster
Pacific Nations Cup Squad
Danny Barrett – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Chris Baumann – Santa Monica RFC
Todd Clever – OMBAC
Cameron Dolan – Cardiff RFC (Wales)
Andrew Durutalo – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Zach Fenoglio – Glendale Raptors RFC
Eric Fry – Newcastle RFC (England)
Troy Hall – NYAC
Seamus Kelly – San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
Olive Kilifi – Seattle Saracens RFC
Niku Kruger – Kutztown University
Titi Lamositele – Saracens RFC (England)
Scott LaValla – Stade Francais (France)
Toby L’Estrange – NYAC
Al McFarland – NYAC
AJ MacGinty – Life Rugby
Matekitonga Moeakiola – Castenet (France)
Takudzwa Ngwenya – Biarritz (France)
Folau Niua – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Thretton Palamo – London Welsh RFC (England)
Greg Peterson – Glasgow Warriors (Scotland)
Mike Petri – NYAC
John Quill – NYAC
Blaine Scully – Cardiff RFC (Wales)
Hayden Smith – Saracens RFC (England)
Louis Stanfill – Seattle Saracens RFC
Andrew Suniula – CSM Bucuresti (Romania)
Shalom Suniula – Seattle Saracens RFC
Zach Test – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Phil Thiel – Life Rugby
Brett Thompson – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Chris Wyles – Saracens RFC (England)
