USA Names Pre-RWC Roster

USA Head Coach Mike Tolkin has named a 31-man pre-Rugby World Cup roster that will play the Eagles final three warm ups before the team departs for England. The USA has a match in Canada, a tilt against Harlequins in Philadelphia, and a test against Australia in Chicago to work out the kinks before breaking the seal on their 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.

The 31-man roster has only two new inclusions from the USA’s Pacific Nations Cup squad. Samu Manoa was an expected addition, but front rower Joseph Taufete’e was a bit of a surprise addition.

Although not completely unexpected, the exclusion of Todd Clever from the pre-RWC squad likely spells the end to the storied international career of one of the USA’s most decorated and top performers. The addition of Manoa back into the squad along with the excellent play by the Eagle back row during the PNC may have made the decision easier on Tolkin. However, it is a disappointing way for the former team Captain to go out.

The rest of the squad is almost unchanged from the PNC squad that went 2-2 and recorded victories over Japan and Canada. The wins should give the Eagles a boost heading into the World Cup where they face a tough group in Pool B. The USA are pooled with South Africa, Scotland, Samoa, and Japan. The USA has never won more than one match during any of the prior World Cup appearances. The Eagles will be hard-pressed to record one victory this World Cup and pulling off two will require something special from the group.

Men’s Eagles | Pre-Rugby World Cup Squad
Danny Barrett – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Chris Baumann – Santa Monica RFC
Cameron Dolan – Cardiff RFC (Wales)
Andrew Durutalo – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Zach Fenoglio – Glendale Raptors RFC
Eric Fry – Newcastle RFC (England)
Seamus Kelly – San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
Olive Kilifi – Seattle Saracens RFC
Niku Kruger – Glendale Raptors RFC
Titi Lamositele – Saracens RFC (England)
Scott LaValla – Stade Francais (France)
Al McFarland – NYAC
AJ MacGinty – Life Rugby
Samu Manoa – Toulon (France)
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
Joseph Taufete’e – Belmont Shore RFC
Zack Test – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Phil Thiel – Life Rugby
Brett Thompson – Men’s Eagles Sevens
Chris Wyles – Saracens RFC (England)