Junior All-Americans prepping for Trophy run

The USA Men’s Junior All-Americans have today wrapped up their first development camp of the year as they begin their preparations for the 2017 World Rugby u20 Trophy qualifier against Canada this summer. With the 2017 Trophy set to kick off much later this year on August 29, the teams have been given significant extra time to get their selection right prepare thoroughly for what promises to be a highly competitive tournament. The late date should also allow the North American representative to take their strongest possible squad, with minimal academic or club conflicts in the way.

Eight returnees from the squad that traveled to Zimbabwe in 2016 are named among the 50 attendees of the four-day camp in Chula Vista. Most notable among them is powerful Lindenwood midfielder Lorenzo Thomas, whose impressive performance in last year’s qualifying match against Canada earned him two full test caps during the Americas Rugby Championship. Also included are two other Lindenwood standouts, prop Chance Wenglewski and loose forward Malon Al-Jiboori. Both were included in the USA Select XV team that traveled to Uruguay to take part in the Americas Pacific Challenge, while Al-Jiboori also spent time in Australia training with the Brumbies during the off-season.

Also returning in the forwards is hooker Steven Branham, second row Deven Marshall, back row Veuki Taumoefolau, and the versatile Bronson Teles. The latter was used primarily as a lock during last year’s campaign but with a number of new options selected in that position it looks as though Teles will be used as a loose forward in 2017. Scrumhalf Ruben de Haas is the only other back from 2016 present.

A couple newcomers have familiar family names. Promising playmaker Naima Fuala’au, a senior Eagles 7s camp invitee, is the younger brother of Clermont Auvergne academy midfielder Mose Fuala’au. Long-time American fans will recognize Coastal Dragons center Sean Lumkong’s heritage having watched his uncle Rob represent the Eagles in 29 test matches and the 1999 World Cup.

Interesting newcomers include highly rated prop David Ainu’u and another front row, the enormous Jon Jacobs, who also plays on the offensive line for Arizona’s football team. Other interesting physique’s include 6’7″ Kansas City Blues second row Cale Harbour, and beefy Santa Monica midfielder Quinn Perry. Outside back Tavite Lopeti comes highly touted as a game breaker, and there is a place for Zimbabwe-born YouTube stepper Brendon Curle. New Zealand-based Sam Walsh, who plays his rugby for Scots College in Wellington, is the only player from abroad included.

Uruguayan fans will also note the inclusion of Montevideo native Martin Keuchkerian, a flanker who moved to Massachusetts at the age of 16. The former MVCC age grade captain now plays for Mystic River in the Greater Boston area and has his eyes on a senior Eagles cap.

FORWARDS
David Ainu’u (Liberty Patriots), Jordan Crofts (Penn State), Jon Jacobs (Arizona Wildcats), Jacob Jorstad (San Diego State), Kareem Odeh (Life), Jonas Petrakopoulos (Royal Irish), Lincoln Sii (Grand Canyon), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Steven Branham (Arizona Wildcats), Nicalus Franklyn (AIC), Steven Benson (Little Rock), Tommy Clark (AIC), Max Dacey (Mary Washington), Cale Harbour (Kansas City Blues), Nafi Ma’afu (Tempe Old Devils), Deven Marshall (Central Washington), Campbell Robinson (Arkansas State), Malon Al-Jiboori (Lindenwood), Joe Freeman (Penn State), Alex Glover (Santa Barbara), Zach Heisterkamp (Arizona), Martin Keuchkerian (Mystic River), Jack Miller (Colorado), Mark Spicer (Spring Hill), Veuki Taumoefolau (Las Vegas Irish), Bronson Teles (Arizona), Daemon Torres (Life)

BACKS
Jackson Clark (Kutztown), Kyle Crawford (Penn State), Brendon Curle (Grand Canyon), Ruben de Haas (Little Rock), Conor McManus (Fort Hunt Warriors), Naima Fuala’au (Life West), Patrick Madden (Aztec Warriors), Noah Niumataiwalu (St. Joseph’s), Patrick Sheehy (Dartmouth), Nick Taylor (Lindenwood), Luke Bienstock (Dartmouth), Sean Lumkong (Coastal Dragons), Quinn Perry (Santa Monica Dolphins), Lorenzo Thomas (Lindenwood), Cole Zarcone (Central Washington), Jaret Williamson (St. Bonaventure), Ben Broselle (Chuckanut Bay), Danny Crowley (Santa Monica Dolphins), Tavite Lopeti (Life West), Cristian Rodriguez (Lindenwood), Sam Walsh (Scots College), Harley Wheeler (Life)

STAFF
Head Coach – JD Stephenson
Defense Coach – Michael Engelbrecht
Forwards Coach – Shawn Pittman
Assistant Forwards Coach – Rob Randell
Backs Coach – Colton Cariaga
Manager – OJ Hawea
Assistant Manager – Michael Elam
Analyst – Jimmy Harrison
Strength & Conditiong – Justin Goonan
Physiotherapist – Britney Schenck