USA Selects named for Americas Pacific Challenge

Scott Lawrence will take 27 players to Montevideo as part of his USA Select XV side for the Americas Pacific Challenge. As expected the roster is a mix of established Eagles contenders and new names, with 14 players in all listing test experience on their resume.

Returning players from the 2016 APC are Angus MacLellan, Alex Maughan, Matt Jensen, Hanco Germishuys, Aladdin Schirmer, Ben Cima, Bryce Campbell, and JP Eloff. Chance Wenglewski and Siaosi Mahoni have been named on a 10-man list of non-traveling reserves.

New names include mobile a handful of players who excelled in the California Cup earlier this year with Life West standouts Huluholo Mo’ungaloa and Martini Talapusi joining SFGG trio Brendan Hardiman, Brendan Daly, and Lemoto Filikitonga. The latter returns to USA contention after significant time away due to injury, while both Talapusi and Daly were key players for the San Francisco Rush during the 2016 PRO Rugby season.

Others who return to the mix after time away are versatile back row Schirmer, Ireland-based winger Tim Maupin, and creative outside back Zach Pangelinan. Meanwhile Eloff’s search for a permanent position continues as the flyhalf-turned-center is now being considered at fullback.

Glendale prop Kelepi Fifita impressed with his athleticism in the recent match against the Ontario Arrows, and there is a surprise with Seattle outside back Psalm Wooching named as a flanker. The former collegiate football star made waves in February by declaring his intention to pursue a career in rugby.

Saint Mary’s halfbacks Holden Yungert and Mike McCarthy make the grade, as do four BYU stars. Jensen has been a regular in Eagles squads for the past year while Alex Vorster, Jackson Kaka, and Josh Whippy are called up for the first time. All three qualify under the residency rules originating from South Africa, New Zealand, and Fiji respectively.

The Selects will face off against the senior ‘A’ sides of Samoa, Uruguay, and Canada. The games do not count towards World Rugby Rankings but are binding with respect to international eligibility. All matches will be played at the Estadio Charrúa with streaming details to be confirmed via World Rugby.

FORWARDS
Kelepi Fifita (Glendale), Angus MacLellan (Chicago Lions), Alex Maughan (Life), Huluholo Mo’ungaloa (Life West), Paddy Ryan (unattached), Peter Malcolm (Austin Huns), Alex Vorster (BYU), Brendan Hardiman (SFGG), Matt Jensen (BYU), Ben Landry (Glendale), Brendan Daly (SFGG), Hanco Germishuys (Austin Huns), Jackson Kaka (BYU), Aladdin Schirmer (Seattle), Psalm Wooching (Seattle)

BACKS
Ruben de Haas (Little Rock), Holden Yungert (Saint Mary’s), Ben Cima (Rocky Gorge), Mike McCarthy (Saint Mary’s), Bryce Campbell (Glendale), Lemoto Filikitonga (SFGG), Martini Talapusi (Life West), Josh Whippy (BYU), Tim Maupin (St. Mary’s, IR), Zach Pangelinan (OMBAC), Mitch Wilson (Life), JP Eloff (Chicago Lions)

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES
John Hayden (Seattle), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Jay Finau (SFGG), Siaosi Mahoni (Narbonne, FR), Maciu Koroi (Life), Devereaux Ferris (Life West), Kalei Konrad (OMBAC), Lorenzo Thomas (Lindenwood), Vetekina Malafu (Kutztown), Marcus Tupuola (Notre Dame)

FIXTURES
Oct 7 – 12:30 local / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT – vs Samoa ‘A’
Oct 11 – 17:30 local / 16:30 ET / 13:30 PT – vs Uruguay ‘A’
Oct 15 – 15:00 local / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT – vs Canada ‘A’