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With the Pacific Nations Cup done and dusted and only three more games until the USA departs for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it isn’t long until Eagles’ Head Coach Mike Tolkin names his final RWC squad. Until that final squad is named, all we can do is look at the body of work already done this Summer and take some shots at who’s in and who’s out.
Here’s a quick take on every player that was named to the USA’s initial RWC Training roster and how they are shaping up for selection.
Locks to Make It
Chris Wyles – The Eagle Skipper is about as solid of a lock to make the squad as anyone. Consistent performer, many (including myself) still wonder why Tolkin hasn’t given him a run at outside center.
Samu Manoa – About the only Eagle that can skip the whole lead up to the RWC and still make an impact.
AJ MacGinty – Locked down the flyhalf role with a great PNC.
Danny Barrett – One of many impressive back rowers for the USA. Barrett can play all three back row positions. Impact player.
Eric Fry – Mobile prop. Scrummaged well during the PNC. Very good in loose play. First choice prop along with Lamositele.
Titi Lamositele – See Eric Fry above. Lamositele made an impact during the PNC and settled the Eagle scrum.
Seamus Kelly – Had an up and down PNC, but is Tolkin’s first choice at outside center. Needs to improve his defense.
Scott LaValla – Dependable back rower that can play second row if called upon. Leader in the pack. Will be part of whatever back row rotation Tolkin employs at the RWC.
Hayden Smith – The better performer of the two Eagle second row specialists during the PNC, Smith appears almost back to full rugby shape after his NFL excursion. Good lineout option and solid in defense.
Mike Petri – Kicks aside, Petri performed decently during the PNC. Little reason to think that Tolkin would go in any other direction at this point.
Phil Thiel – First choice at hooker for the Eagles. Solid performer. Lineouts are a strong point for the USA. Need to keep that going.
Blaine Scully – Had a quiet PNC, but is a class player that can play both wing and fullback. Currently the Eagles best wing.
Almost There
Shalom Suniula – Didn’t light things up at the PNC, but gives the Eagles cover at both flyhalf and scrumhalf. Doubtful that Tolkin will carry two specialists at either position which makes Suniula extremely valuable.
Cam Dolan – A solid showing at the PNC, Dolan improved his chances by putting in good minutes in the second row. He gives Tolkin the back row/second row flexibility that he seems to love.
Andrew Durutalo – After coming into the PNC as a long shot, Durutalo had a breakout tournament and vaulted himself into RWC contention. Not quite a lock, but very close.
Zach Fenoglio – Got a great deal of playing time at the PNC. May have worked his way into a true platoon with Thiel as opposed to serving as the backup.
Thretton Palamo – Probably more of a lock as the Eagles have very little depth in the centers. Needs to provide more of an offensive punch for an offense that struggled at the PNC.
Louis Stanfill – Injured during the PNC, but should be back. Fills in the impact second half sub role very well.
Andrew Suniula – Played well during the PNC. May have played his way back into starting role at inside center.
Taku Ngwenya – Didn’t get a great deal of action at the PNC, but showed flashes that he still has finishing ability. Question is whether offense can get him the space he needs to attack. Not a lock, but hard not to see him at the RWC.
Greg Peterson – Had a marginal PNC. Fitness looked off. Looked better during the Fall Eagles tour. When in form, pairs extremely well with Hayden Smith. Another good lineout option and capable defender.
In the Picture
Zach Test – Had an up and down PNC. Played well enough to get more time at wing, but struggled at times. The Eagles lack depth at wing, so Test could get a couple more chances before London to solidify his role.
Mate Moeakiola – His injury early in the Japan match turned the tide as Lamositele came on and impressed. Still a decent prop that has experience. If healthy, it is hard not to see him getting into the squad as depth.
Chris Baumann – Played the entire match against Tonga at the PNC and came on late against Canada. Eagle scrum notably not the same without Fry/Lamositele to anchor. Depth at front row an issue for the USA, so Tolkin likely to carry extra help in the front row.
John Quill – A solid true openside flanker that has performed well. Unfortunately, the Eagle back row is very crowded. With the emergence of Durutalo, Quill becomes one of the odd men possibly out.
On the Outside Looking In
Todd Clever – A name that many would have placed on the Lock list a few months ago, Clever was suspended during the PNC thus hurting his chance of making one last RWC appearance for the USA. If the injury to Stanfill lingers, it could open the door for Clever as an impact second row sub. Should find out real soon where he stands.
Nick Wallace – Managed only two minutes on the pitch during the PNC. Still in the running to get on the squad with the depth issues the USA has at prop.
Tom Coolican – A capable player, but it appears that Tolkin has settled on a Thiel/Fenoglio pairing at hooker.
Toby L’Estrange – Played poorly in his only PNC appearance. The emergence of MacGinty quickly made L’Estrange expendable. The flexibility of Shalom Suniula also doesn’t help. Unlikely Tolkin will carry three flyhalves.
Al McFarland – Got in some solid minutes during the PNC. Were it not for a deep crop of back rowers, McFarland could make a stronger argument.
Niku Kruger – Some are calling for Kruger as the heir to Petri’s throne. He may be close, but not this time around. Same with the flyhalf situation, Tolkin is going to carry one specialist and use Shalom Suniula as cover for both positions. Looking forward to seeing more of Kruger in the future though.
Tim Stanfill – Injured during the PNC preparations. Was in a position to challenge for a spot, but hard to see him getting in now.
Folau Niua – The only 7s player to really struggle during the PNC. Played poorly against Tonga. Needed to play great to even get into the RWC picture.
Brett Thompson – Will need to get a couple good looks in the final buildup matches to sneak his way into the RWC squad. Fortunately for Thompson, he may get that chance.
Robbie Shaw – A capable scrumhalf that fell out of favor with Tolkin. May be just as good of a scrumhalf as Petri, but not likely to get into the picture barring some sort of injury.
Ronnie McLean – A surprise exclusion from the PNC roster, McLean showed well during his lone appearance on the Fall tour and played well for USA Selects during South American tour. Can play multiple back positions. A long shot to get into the RWC squad.
Tim Maupin – Another wing on the outside looking in, Maupin has less of a chance of improving his status than Thompson.
Olive Kilifi – Didn’t play in the PNC, but could still figure into RWC plans as the USA lacks front row depth. Going to need to see some match time in the final three games to put his hand up.
Not in the Picture
Inaki Basauri – Deep competition in back row and now the second row. Probably last look in the Eagle camp as once the RWC completes, older players will take a back seat to up and coming stars.
Troy Hall – Continues to get selected to training squad, but struggles at the international level.
Tai Tuisamoa – See Inaki Basauri above.
Kyle Sumsion – Lots of competition at flanker/back row.
Matt Trouville – Ditto.
Zach Pangelinan – Flexible utility back. One of the best domestic players to not have been given any sort of extended opportunity with the Eagles.
Chad London – Unlikely he’ll get a look at center despite the Eagles struggles to punch through defenses.
John Cullen – Probably next time around for the big Seattle forward.
LeMoto Filikitonga – Young wing. Former U20 Eagle. Could see more of him post-RWC.
Ben Landry – Up and coming forward. In camp for development purposes. Could be one of the next big Eagle back row/second row hybrids.
Louis Mulholland – Scrumhalf. Represented USA at age-grade levels. Long shot, but another player in camp with an eye on the future.
Mike Shepherd – Former Collegiate All American. Has some experience with USA Selects, but not ready to contribute with Eagles just yet.
