USA Names Strong Side to Face Canada

Any doubts about what kind of roster the USA Eagles would announce, to face Canada, were erased as the US has put forth a side intent on winning against their rivals to the North. After putting out two strong lineups in their opening two matches of the Pacific Nations Cup, Head Coach Mike Tolkin opted for a less inexperienced group to face Tonga. The experimentation was a hard pill to swallow for fans, but necessary for the Eagles’ Coaching Staff.

The lopsided loss to Tonga dropped the USA into 5th place in the overall PNC standings and paired them with their old rival, Canada, for the PNC finals day. Any USA/Canada match carries extra significance as they are bitter rivals on the pitch. This time around, the loser ends up with the PNC Wooden Spoon, thus adding to the tension.

The USA’s lineup against Canada is more or less the group used in the first two PNC matches, with a few minor alterations. The most notably is that Andrew Suniula gets the start at inside center over Thretton Palamo. Palamo has struggled to give the USA go forward in attack while Suniula played well defensively and looked more dangerous with ball in hand in his appearances.

Eric Fry and Titi Lamositele bookend Zach Fenoglio in the front row. Both Fry and Lamositele appear to have locked down the first team roles at prop. Fenoglio and Phil Thiel have flipped flopped throughout the PNC giving notice that Tolkin has yet to decide which hooker is his first choice.

Hayden Smith and Greg Peterson return in the second row. The second row is another group that has the players in place, but with competition for the starting spots. Smith has played better and more minutes during the PNC than Peterson. Both have looked a bit out of form, which makes this match very important for the duo. Cam Dolan showed well playing in the second row and could push both for a starting role at the World Cup.

In the back row, Tolkin appears to have gone with the group that performed the best during the pool stages of the PNC. A deep position for the Eagles, the competition has been fierce for minutes. Scott LaValla gets the call at blindside and brings leadership and consistency to the role. Andrew Durutalo has been the breakout player of the Summer for the USA and gets another well-deserved start at openside. Danny Barrett returns at No.8 after coming out of the Japan match early with an injury. This group will be looked at to set the tone for the USA.

Mike Petri and AJ MacGinty are paired together at the halfbacks. They’re charged with giving some sort of spark to an offense that has struggled mightily during the PNC. The Eagles’ backs have had trouble creating breaks, finishing, and have yet to score a try this Summer. MacGinty has proved dependable with his boot which will be needed against Canada.

Andrew Suniula and Seamus Kelly combine in the centers and the USA needs a big match out of them. The Eagle centers have been almost non-existent during the PNC offensively and Kelly and Palamo have both struggled a bit defensively. The USA need a great game out of both Suniula and Kelly as Canada’s centers will ask some questions of them.

Zack Test and Blaine Scully are back at wing. Test gets another shot with the first team after struggling a bit against Tonga. He’s shown that he belongs in the picture, but could use a good game to cement his status as a RWC option. Scully needs the rest of the backline to provide him with ball in space. He has yet to get good ball to work with in the PNC. Tolkin didn’t name any cover on the bench at wing, so both should get the full match to make something happen.

Chris Wyles captains the side from the fullback. He provides a steadying presence for the Eagles. With the struggles that the USA have had at center, it is surprising that Tolkin hasn’t employed Wyles at outside center. The USA needs a good attacking game out of Wyles to get their offense kick started.

The USA bench is led by vets Phil Thiel, Mate Moeakiola, Shalom Suniula, Cam Dolan, John Quill, and Thretton Palamo. Chris Baumann and Al McFarland round out a solid bench. Thiel, Suniula, Dolan, and Palamo will likely be looked upon to give the USA some late-match punch.

USA Roster vs Canada

1. Eric Fry (Newcastle)

2. Zach Fenoglio (Glendale)

3. Titi Lamositele (Saracens)

4. Hayden Smith (Saracens)

5. Greg Peterson (Leicester)

6. Scott LaValla (Stade Francais)

7. Andrew Durutalo (USA 7s)

8. Danny Barrett (USA 7s)

9. Mike Petri (NYAC)

10. AJ MacGinty (Life)

11. Zack Test (USA 7s team)

12. Andrew Suniula (Bucarest)

13. Seamus Kelly (SFGG)

14. Blaine Scully (Cardiff)

15. Chris Wyles (Saracens)

USA Reserves

16. Phil Thiel (Life)

17. Mate Moeakiola (L’Uson)

18. Chris Baumann (Santa Monica)

19. Cam Dolan (Cardiff)

20. John Quill (Dolphin)

21. Al McFarland (NYAC)

22. Shalom Suniula (Seattle Saracens)

23. Thretton Palamo (Saracens)