Junior All-Americans named for u20 Qualifiers

US Eagles 7s cap Malon Al-Jiboori is one of six returning players named in JD Stephenson’s final squad to prepare for the World Rugby u20 Trophy qualifiers against Canada next month. The blindside flanker was also part of the USA Select XV that traveled to Uruguay for the Americas Pacific Challenge last October along with prop Chance Wenglewski.

Two more Lindenwood standouts in the form of winger Deion Mikesell and midfielder Lorenzo Thomas have already been capped at test level for the Eagles. Little Rock scrumhalf Ruben de Haas and Central Washington lock Deven Marshall were also part of the u20 Trophy side. Mikesell played against Canada last February but did not travel to Zimbabwe with the team in May.

The All-Americans will play a two-game qualifying series against Canada in on June 13 and 17, with both matches taking place in Alberta. A ticket to represent North America will be handed out to the team that wins. Last year’s qualifier was a single-elimination match in Round Rock where Ben Cima kicked a late penalty goal to send the All-Americans to the u2o Trophy.

FORWARDS
Jack Iscaro (Cal Berkeley), Jacob Jorstad (San Diego State), Payton Telea (Saint Mary’s), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Jordan Crofts (Penn State), Martin Keuchkerian (Mystic River), Tommy Clark (AIC), Nafi Ma’afu (Tempe Old Devils), Deven Marshall (Central Washington), Joshua Schnell (Katy Barbarians), Malon Al-Jiboori (Lindenwood), Justin Johnson (Life), Jack Miller (Colorado), Brian Nault (Central Washington), Daemon Torres (Life), Bailey Wilson (United Varsity)

BACKS
Ruben de Haas (Little Rock), Noah Niumataiwalu (St. Joseph’s), Harley Wheeler (Life), Christian Dyer (Cal Barkeley), Aaron Matthews (Saint Mary’s), Quinn Perry (Santa Monica Dolphins), Lorenzo Thomas (Lindenwood), Peter Howard (Naas, IR), Deion Mikesell (Lindenwood), Jaret Williamson (St. Bonaventure), Cristian Rodriguez (Lindenwood), Sam Walsh (Scots College, NZ)

STAFF
Head Coach – JD Stephenson
Assistant Coach – Chris Oosthuizen
Forwards Coach – Rob Randell
Backs Coach – Colton Cariaga
Manager – Mike Elam
Analyst – Jimmy Harrison
Strength & Conditiong – Justin Goonan
Physiotherapist – Alan Wallace