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The first wave of Americans have hit the ground running in New Zealand as part of USA Rugby’s new partnership with Taranaki Rugby. Capped Eagle 7s player Mike Te’o and Eagle hopefuls Cam Falcon and David Tameilau are all in training with the Taranaki Development side as part of the new exchange program to get promising American players immersed in rugby-rich environments.
All three were in the lineup for Taranaki Development’s recent 25-18 loss to Auckland. Both Te’o and Tameilau were in the lineup for a pivotal 22-17 victory over Counties Manukau at Yarrow Stadium this past Saturday. Taranaki was in much need of a victory against Counties to keep pace in the top four of the Northern Regions Competition. The side did just that and Te’o was instrumental in the victory, playing center and scoring a try. Taranaki held a 10-3 halftime lead and had a 22-10 lead with just minutes to play before Counties made a late surge.
“They [Americans] have trained well and fitted into the group really well,” said Taranaki Development Head Coach Kelvin McDowell said in a release from the club. “We need to give them an opportunity so we can do with them and work with them. It’s pretty hard to help with their development if we don’t know how they play.”
The Taranaki Development side currently has a record of 2-2. The Developmental side is the level below ITM Cup play in New Zealand and players are considered reserves for the Taranaki ITM Cup team. The squad plays in the highly competitive Northern Regions Development Competition against rivals Northland, Auckland, North Harbour, Counties Manukau, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The new relationship between USA Rugby and Taranaki serves to expose and expedite the development of players with potential. Te’o, Falcon, and Tameilau are the first of many American players that are expected to be exposed to the Taranaki system.
