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USA World Cup fullback Mike Te’o has been named in the USA Falcons squad to compete at the Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka, Fiji, this coming week. The development side will give opportunities for several players to push for spots on the senior World Sevens Series squad.
Te’o has re-signed with the San Diego Legion but will not be committed to Major League Rugby full-time this season. He instead takes up a residency contract at Chula Vista with an aim to make the USA team for the fast-approaching Tokyo Olympics, playing for the Legion when available.
There are three others with MLR connections in the squad. Rugby United New York contribute Gavan D’Amore-Morrison and Houston SaberCats speedster Malacchi Esdale gets his first experience with international rugby. World Cup flanker Malon Al-Jiboori has joined the sevens program for the rest of the season after departing the Glendale (Colorado) Raptors in the off-season.
World Series regulars Joe Schroeder and Maceo Brown boost the squad with other senior sevens caps including Anthony Welmers, Faitala Talapusi, and captain Cody Melphy. High School All-Americans Lauina Falatea and Tohi Angilau are named, along with Kutztown flyer Aaron Gray.
The tournament takes place over two days beginning on Thursday, January 16. Former England hooker and current Eagles assistant coach Phil Greening will lead the side against top local competition including the formidable Nadroga Stallions.
USA FALCONS
Malon Al-Jiboori, Tohi Angilau, Maceo Brown, Gavan D’Amore-Morrison, Malacchi Esdale, Lauina Falatea, Aaron Gray, Cody Melphy (capt.), Joe Schroeder, Faitala Talapusi, Mike Te’o, Anthony Welmers
