Eagles set to Experiment in ARC

John Mitchell has included some surprise names in his 35-man squad for the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship. Nine uncapped players and a few unexpected returnees line a largely inexperienced squad that also features some overseas pros. As expected Todd Clever returns as co-captain, though he will assume sole leadership responsibilities for nearly the entire competition with Blaine Scully only available for the opening match against Uruguay.

The front-line trio of tighthead prop Chris Baumann, hooker James Hilterbrand, and openside flanker Tony Lamborn are all available for the entirety of the competition with no Super Rugby contracts forthcoming. Newcastle Falcons lineout specialist Nick Civetta will play in the first two matches before heading back to England, with his departure cushioned by the arrival of Cam Dolan, under-appreciated by the Cardiff Blues and in search of a new club for the 2017-18 season.

AJ MacGinty will make his ARC debut against Uruguay but, like Scully, will return to club duties immediately after. Three other flyhalf specialists have been selected to fill the gap, two of whom are new to test rugby. Will Magie has at last had his name called after guiding the Denver Stampede to the PRO Rugby title, while Ben Cima is regarded by most as the heir apparent and one of the leading lights of American rugby. JP Eloff is also present but looks set to feature in the midfield. The option of employing a ‘second five-eighth’ at inside center is one that is clearly in Mitchell’s mind with Shalom Suniula trialed in the position last season and Eloff himself previously earmarked for the role.

One name who makes a welcome return from international exile is David Tameilau. The find of the 2016 ARC is back in favor after showing strong form with French club Narbonne. He will join up with the team ahead of the pivotal match against Canada with his medical joker contract due to expire imminently. Tameilau’s soon-to-be-free agent status is unlikely to last long with several French clubs said to be interested in his services for next season.

There are other long-term absentees recalled. John Quill’s selection was perhaps hinted at when he was invited to train with the squad during the June internationals, and his standout performances in PRO certainly merit recognition. Quill was last seen in the 2015 World Cup and 18 months is not that great a stretch considering it’s been nearly seven years since Anthony Purpura got his one and only cap against Russia. Still only 30 years old, he’s been pried out of the woodwork to take a shot at loosehead prop with no Titi Lamositele or Eric Fry available.

A total of seven props have been included, giving Mitchell plenty of options to ponder. Ben Tarr is back after missing out on the November tour and it looks as though he’ll get an extended run as a loosehead, the position he occupied for the latter half of the PRO season. Dino Waldren is back stateside from his stint in Ireland and covers tighthead along with the uncapped Alex Maughan. Olive Kilifi is another recalled with his experience and ability to play both sides of the scrum desirable attributes. Demecus Beach also finds a place, evidently a late addition in place of Louisville prospect LaRome White who had earlier indicated that he would be joining the team for the trip south.

Shaun Davies has cemented his return after a couple years of being ignored and will compete with incumbent Nate Augspurger for the no9 jersey. Ryan Matyas is somewhat of a surprise despite playing well for the San Diego Breakers. The Old Blue center didn’t make much of an impact in last year’s ARC and his lean physique and outside break is a departure from the hulking specimens who have been preferred in the key no13 spot by Mitchell thus far.

The Hanco Germishuys hooker experiment looks to have been shelved, at least for now. Ohio Aviators rake Peter Malcolm, himself a converted flanker, will earn his first caps as backup to Hilterbrand with Germishuys selected as a loose forward for the South American tour. Towering locks Matt Jensen and Siaosi Mahoni are both in line to make their debuts, as are battering ram winger Spike Davis and highly rated Brigham Young midfielder Calvin Whiting. English-born Andrew Turner is a bolt from the blue and it’s not immediately clear how the former London Scottish winger qualifies for the Eagles.

For the bulk of these players the competition represents an opportunity to cement a spot in the June tests, and most importantly the World Cup qualifiers against Canada. Even the venerable Clever is not exempt with the USA’s greatest strength in depth found in the back row, with the likes of Andrew Durutalo, Danny Barrett, and Langi Haupeakui – whatever his current status – among others expected to come into contention. For any individual dreaming of a plane ticket to Japan in 2019, the ARC provides an early chance to step to the front of the line.

 

See here for a detailed roster list and below for game-by-game availability.

 

vs URUGUAY

LH PROP: Anthony Purpura, Ben Tarr
HOOKER: James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm
TH PROP: Chris Baumann, Alex Maughan, Dino Waldren
SECOND ROW: Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Siaosi Mahoni
BACK ROW: Todd Clever, Tony Lamborn, Al McFarland, John Quill
SCRUMHALF: Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies
FLYHALF: Ben Cima, AJ MacGinty, Will Magie
MIDFIELD: Bryce Campbell, JP Eloff, Ryan Matyas
OUTSIDE BACKS: Spike Davis, Blaine Scully, Mike Te’o, Zack Test

 

vs BRAZIL

LH PROP: Anthony Purpura, Ben Tarr
HOOKER: James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm
TH PROP: Chris Baumann, Alex Maughan, Dino Waldren
SECOND ROW: Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Cam Dolan, Siaosi Mahoni
BACK ROW: Todd Clever, Tony Lamborn, Al McFarland, John Quill
SCRUMHALF: Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies
FLYHALF: Ben Cima, Will Magie
MIDFIELD: Bryce Campbell, JP Eloff, Ryan Matyas
OUTSIDE BACKS: Spike Davis, Mike Te’o, Zack Test, Andrew Turner

 

vs CANADA

LH PROP: Anthony Purpura, Ben Tarr
HOOKER: James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm
TH PROP: Chris Baumann, Olive Kilifi, Dino Waldren
SECOND ROW: Nate Brakeley, Cam Dolan, Siaosi Mahoni
BACK ROW: Todd Clever, Tony Lamborn, John Quill, David Tameilau
SCRUMHALF: Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies
FLYHALF: Ben Cima, Will Magie
MIDFIELD: Bryce Campbell, JP Eloff, Ryan Matyas
WING: Spike Davis, Luke Hume, Mike Te’o, Zack Test, Andrew Turner

 

vs CHILE

LH PROP: Demecus Beach, Anthony Purpura, Ben Tarr
HOOKER: James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm
TH PROP: Chris Baumann, Olive Kilifi
SECOND ROW: Cam Dolan, Matt Jensen, Siaosi Mahoni
BACK ROW: Todd Clever, Hanco Germishuys, Tony Lamborn, David Tameilau
SCRUMHALF: Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies
FLYHALF: Ben Cima, Will Magie
MIDFIELD: Bryce Campbell, JP Eloff, Calvin Whiting
WING: Spike Davis, Luke Hume, Mike Te’o, Zack Test, Andrew Turner

 

vs ARGENTINA XV

LH PROP: Demecus Beach, Anthony Purpura, Ben Tarr
HOOKER: James Hilterbrand, Peter Malcolm
TH PROP: Chris Baumann, Olive Kilifi
SECOND ROW: Cam Dolan, Matt Jensen, Siaosi Mahoni
BACK ROW: Todd Clever, Hanco Germishuys, Tony Lamborn, David Tameilau
SCRUMHALF: Nate Augspurger, Shaun Davies
FLYHALF: Ben Cima, Will Magie
MIDFIELD: Bryce Campbell, JP Eloff, Calvin Whiting
WING: Spike Davis, Mike Te’o, Zack Test, Andrew Turner