World Cup Watch – USA – August 1, 2018

As the Americas 1 representative at Rugby World Cup 2019 the USA carries with it expectations that they will be competitive. Following their completion of the inaugural Major League Rugby season and an historic upset of Scotland, those expectations have now risen considerably. The Eagles will enter a fully professional side at the World Cup for the first time in their history. In fact more than half of their side will be playing abroad heading into the World Cup year.

Gary Gold has not made it difficult to fill in each position thanks to his consistent selection strategy. While there is some room for players to move up and down, it is unlikely that there will be any true bolters to force their way into the match day squad in time for Japan.

We have intentionally left out all of the core Eagles Sevens squad. While the likes of Danny Barrett, Ben Pinkelman, Madison Hughes, and Folau Niua have all played test rugby and might even be preferred options in some instances, Gold has shown no interest in disrupting Mike Friday’s preparations for the Sevens World Cup and, looking forward, the Olympics.

The next wave of selections will be for the Americas Pacific Challenge where the USA Select XV will travel to the ‘A’ level competition in Uruguay. Gold’s selections will be interesting as it will be the last chance for fringe candidates to impress at international level before the World Cup. The November tests and 2019 Americas Rugby Championship will be about building continuity and ironing out the long list.

Below is how the squad looks as things stand.

 

USA

##

NAME

CLUB

POS

CAPS

 

FIRST CHOICE

1	Titi Lamositele	Saracens (UK)	LH	23
2	Joe Taufete’e	Worcester Warriors (UK)	HO	16
3	Paul Mullen	Houston SaberCats	TH	3
4	Samu Manoa	Cardiff Blues (UK)	LO / N8	21
5	Nick Civetta	Doncaster Knights (UK)	LO	15
6	Hanco Germishuys	Austin Elite	FL	8
7	Tony Lamborn	Southland Stags (NZ)	FL	16
8	Cam Dolan	San Diego Legion	N8	37
9	Shaun Davies	Glendale Raptors	SH	17
10	AJ MacGinty	Sale Sharks (UK)	FH	20
11	Marcel Brache	Western Force (AU)	WI / CE	10
12	Paul Lasike	Harlequins (UK)	CE	6
13	Bryce Campbell	London Irish (UK)	CE	18
14	Blaine Scully (c)	Cardiff Blues (UK)	WI / FB	40
15	Will Hooley	Bedford Blues (UK)	FB / FH	4

There are a handful of variables in the starting roster. The choice of Bryce Campbell or Marcel Brache in the midfield is one. If the latter is selected there, it would see Mike Te’o or possibly Ryan Matyas promoted to the wing. Will Hooley was something of a surprise selection at fullback but he has looked comfortable there and gives Gold a second first receiver option to allow AJ MacGinty the freedom to attack the line without taking away a subsequent backline attack.

Up front Samu Manoa looks to be preferred at lock though he will be playing largely as a No8 for the Cardiff Blues. Hanco Germishuys is the blindside option but there are different combinations available on the flank with Ben Landry and John Quill both possibles.

 

REPLACEMENTS

16	James Hilterbrand	Manly Marlins (AU)	HO	16
17	Eric Fry	Vannes (FR)	LH	44
18	Chris Baumann	unattached	TH	25
19	Greg Peterson	Glasgow Warriors (UK)	LO	17
20	Ben Landry	Ealing Trailfinders (UK)	LO / FL	15
21	Nate Augspurger	San Diego Legion	SH / WI	21
22	Will Magie	Glendale Raptors	FH	16
23	Mike Te’o	San Diego Legion	WI / FB	21

Greg Peterson and Ben Landry look the most likely to challenge for a starting role, with Eric Fry also quietly impressing during his return to the side in June. The backup hooker role is fairly open with any of James Hilterbrand, Dylan Fawsitt, or Peter Malcolm capable of stepping up. It’s also possible that Gold tempts Zach Fenoglio out of international retirement for the World Cup, with the Raptors hooker still arguably the best available to the Eagles outside of Joe Taufete’e.

The reserve tighthead spot currently goes to Chris Baumann who could still force his way back into the starting side depending on form. Now a free agent, he would seem a prime target for an MLR side with experienced American props very hard to come by. Nate Augspurger’s versatility makes him an ideal impact sub but if Te’o is in the match day squad it could see him under threat by highly promising youngster Ruben de Haas, with Dylan Audsley another who could sneak in.

 

TRAVELING RESERVES

24	Dylan Fawsitt	Rugby United New York	HO	5
25	Dino Waldren	London Scottish (UK)	TH	12
26	Siaosi Mahoni	San Diego Legion	LO	2
27	John Quill	Glendale Raptors	FL	27
28	David Tameilau	Glasgow Warriors (UK)	N8	9
29	Ruben de Haas	Free State Cheetahs (SA)	SH	4
30	Dylan Audsley	San Diego Legion	CE / FB	6
31	Ryan Matyas	San Diego Legion	WI / CE	10

As above the third choice hooker spot is up for grabs and Gold could even opt for only two if he considers Baumann, Germishuys, or possibly Vili Toluta’u as a potential emergency option. In such case it’s likely another prop would go with Olive Kilifi at the front of the line. Dino Waldren has slipped behind thanks to injury but could easily find himself back in the match day squad before the World Cup with his strong ball carrying ability useful off the bench.

The make-up of the reserve forwards will be interesting with many players capable of covering lock. If David Tameilau is considered sufficient cover it could see Toluta’u selected ahead of Siaosi Mahoni, while Matt Jensen can’t be ruled out either as pure lock cover. Dylan Audsley and Ryan Matyas look relatively safe bets but not certainties.

 

NON-TRAVELING RESERVES

32	Peter Malcolm	Austin Elite	HO	11
33	Olive Kilifi	Seattle Seawolves	LH	24
34	Paddy Ryan	Austin Elite	TH	4
35	Matt Jensen	Utah Warriors	LO	7
36	Vili Toluta’u	Seattle Seawolves	FL	1
37	Aladdin Schirmer	Seattle Seawolves	N8 / FL	2
38	Holden Yungert	New Orleans Gold	SH	–
39	Ben Cima	San Diego Legion	FH	10
40	Mose Fua’alau	unattached	CE / WI	–
41	Josh Whippy	Utah Warriors	WI / FB	4
42	JP Eloff	New Orleans Gold	FB / CE	9

The hierarchy down to third and fourth choice remains relatively established. Paddy Ryan’s strength in the scrum was notable in his return for Austin and an injury-free run could see his stock rise. Kilifi also impressed for Seattle and isn’t far from selection. Glendale’s Australian loosehead Luke White will qualify on residency in January and should get a close look from the selectors. Others like Angus MacLellan, John Hayden, or Huluholo Mo’ungaloa could find themselves on a long list.

In the back row there are openings for new names. Inactivity sees Psalm Wooching drop down and Aladdin Schirmer in the mix though his spot is certainly under threat by Seawolves teammate Riekert Hattingh, who will qualify in June. Sebastián Kalm qualifies already and might have been selected but saw his MLR season ruined by injury.

Ben Cima might be higher on the list for many but his stock undoubtedly dropped this season as he was largely second choice at San Diego to Tadhg Leader. JP Eloff gets in the long list as a utility back who can cover flyhalf, center, or fullback comfortably while Josh Whippy is one who could yet challenge for a spot in the traveling side if he recovers his confidence after a broken leg.

An interesting name is Mose Fuala’au who was called up to the Eagles squad for the November tour but did not play a test. He was released by Clermont Auvergne at the end of last season and looks another prime target for an MLR side. Tim Maupin was also part of that squad and is in the outsiders mix, while Thretton Palamo’s ongoing foot injury rules him out of contention until he gets back on the pitch.

Players who impressed in the inaugural MLR season but aren’t quite there yet are Glendale pair Mika Kruse and Harley Davidson, with San Diego’s Anthony Salaber also an interesting prospect at outside center. Conor Kearns looked impressive in his cameo for San Diego and there are a handful of New York residents who could yet put their hands up including Nate Brakeley, Harry Bennett, and another semi-retired World Cup wildcard – Seamus Kelly.

 

A complete list of the USA’s senior player pool can be seen here.