Most Capped Lineup: USA

What would a lineup look like continuing the most capped players per country? In the case of the USA the answer is a mixture of players from the 1990’s to the present. A number of players are still active.

1 – Mike MacDonald (67 caps, 56 starts) From 2000-2012 prop Mike MacDonald was an Eagle. The Californian appeared in three Rugby World Cups during these years and was also a professional in England from 2005-2012. MacDonald’s performance against Russia in 2011 won plenty of accolades. Four years earlier he crossed for the USA’s opening try against Tonga in Montpellier. Joining him in both matches was Todd Clever, the man who overtook MacDonald as the most capped Eagle in history.

2 – Tom Billups (44 caps, 44 starts) The hooker from Iowa was one of the USA’s pioneers in England and Wales. For his country he was a mainstay throughout the 1990’s, playing from 1993-1999. This included playing in all of the USA’s matches at Rugby World Cup 1999. His two test tries were both against Japan. They came in 1998 and 1999. 12 of Billups’ caps were as USA captain.

3 – Ray Lehner (37 caps, 27 starts) In terms of matches played Eric Fry comes in first. But with many of his 41 appearances having been as  Loosehead Prop the Californian is not top of the list. The same applies to Chris Lippert. Many of his 38 caps were also at Loosehead. Lehner was an Eagle from 1995-2000. He played in Rugby World Cup 1999. As an Eagle he completed the rare feat of playing against all of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in the Pacific Islands.

4 – Luke Gross (62 caps, 61 starts) The third most capped Eagle of all time is a second-rower. The native of Decatur, Indiana retired in 2003 as the then most capped Eagle in history. If it were not for injury he would have completed a test match comeback to play in Rugby World Cup 2007. As a decorated professional Gross played in England, Italy and Wales from 1997-2007. His final test match was the USA’s win over Japan in Gosford.

5 – Alec Parker (58 caps, 51 starts) The 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) tall Alec Parker is another to have played over a sustained period. He played in Rugby World Cups 1999, 2003 and 2011, earning ten caps in the process. The forward from Colorado played his final test in 2009 against Uruguay. It was a great way to bow out as the Eagles won in Fort Lauderdale to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2011.

6 – Dave Hodges (53 caps, 48 starts) With 56 caps, of which 45 were starts, Lou Stanfill would numerically make this list. But with many caps being in other positions the honor goes to Rugby World Cup 2003 captain, Dave Hodges. He was an Eagles from 1996-2004, playing in two Rugby World Cups; The impact of the Californian’s tackle on George Nemia is still heard around the world today. As a professional player he enjoyed many years in Wales.

7 – Todd Clever (69 caps, 67 starts) Another Californian in the team is Todd Clever. Still playing his rugby the versatile flanker is eyeing up a 14th season of international rugby. Were it not for Clevergate he would have played in Rugby World Cup 2015. He captained his country at the two prior World Cups. As a professional player he became the first USA player to play Super Rugby. He also enjoyed a successful career in Japan. Over the past decade his actions have helped grow the sport significantly in the USA.

8 – Dan Lyle (45 caps, 45 starts) Arguably the greatest Eagle of all time is Dan Lyle. From Louisville, Kentucky Lyle went on to win the European Champions Cup with Bath. His performances were world class for the English club as they were for the USA. Had the Eagles been able to field lineups stacked with players comparable to Lyle then going far in a Rugby World Cup would have been entirely plausible. Kort Schubert was capped more than Lyle. But fewer of his 49 caps came at No 8.

9 – Mike Petri (57 caps, 40 starts) The most capped Eagles back is Mike Petri. All but two of his caps have been at scrum half. The next most capped scrum half is Kevin Dalzell who made 42 appearances, starting on 37 occasions. From Brooklyn, New York Petri earned caps for his country from 2007-2015. This included playing at three Rugby World Cups. Petri scored the vital try which saw the USA downing Russia at Rugby World Cup 2011. Similar support play saw him crossing against Australia in Chicago in 2015.

10 – Michael Hercus (48 caps, 45 starts) No player has scored more points for the USA than Michael Hercus. Born in Falls Church, Virginia Hercus was an Eagle from 2002-2009. He played for the country of his birth after having moved at a young age to Australia with his family. His talent saw him play for the Australian School Boys before being called up to face Scotland in 2002. He scored a try against Japan at Rugby World Cup 2003 and set up another vs Fiji in the same tournament.

11 – Vaea Anitoni (46 caps, 44 starts) Vaea Anitoni is the all time leading try scorer for the USA. Born in Tongatapu, Tonga moved to California and became an international rugby player. He played for the Eagles from 1992-2000, appearing in Rugby World Cup 1999. His break against Tonga set up one of the greatest Eagles tries of all time. In 1996 he scored four tries in a single match against Japan. Remarkably he repeated this against Portugal in 1998.

12 – Andrew Suniula (39 caps, 35 starts) There are two inside centers tied with 39 caps. They are Andrew Suniula and Mark Scharrenberg. Suniula gets the nod due to having made 35 starts, two more than Scharrenberg. From Pagopago, American Samoa Suniula played at Rugby World Cups 2011 and 2015. His performance against Georgia in 2012 helped the Eagles to a big home victory.

13 – Paul Emerick (53 caps, 49 starts) From 2003-2012 the name Paul Emerick was a constant in the USA mid-field. The hard-running center from Emmetsburg, Iowa appeared in Rugby World Cups 2003, 2007 and 2011. Next in line for appearances is Philip Eloff who started 34 of his 35 tests. Emetic enjoyed a successful career abroad, particularly in Wales and Italy. In Rugby World Cup 2011 he scored a quality intercept try against Ireland.

14 – Takudzwa Ngwenya (36 caps, 36 starts) From Zimbabwe to Texas the speedster left his mark on the world in 2007. His try against South Africa lives on as one of the greatest Rugby World Cup tries of all time. It was his second try after individual brilliance saw him cross vs Samoa. The tries saw him become the USA’s most feared player. They also led to a highly successful career in France. His Eagles debut was in 2007 and he is still very much involved, scoring against Japan in Gloucester.

15 – Chris Wyles (54 caps, 51 starts) Former Eagles captain Chris Wyles completes the lineup at fullback. The native of Stamford, Connecticut appeared in Rugby World Cups 2007, 2011 and 2015. Theses same years mark his involvement with the Eagles. While he has returned from international duty he continues playing in the Aviva Premiership. For the USA he scored memorable tries including those against South Africa, Italy, Samoa and Japan.

ADDITIONAL MOST CAPPED LINEUP’S
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