Eagles squad: Surprise inclusions and Notable omissions

At long last we have a new Eagles squad to assess. It’s been a long 19 months since they last convened in Japan. As with any first selection of a ‘new’ World Cup cycle there are several new names – 13 to be exact. The difference this time is that instead of having an extra year to look at new talent, a cohesive unit must be formed in time for the Qualifier Series against Canada in early September.

Below we take a position-by-position look at changes from the RWC 2019 roster, who the newcomers are, and who could be considered unlucky to miss out.

 

FRONT ROW

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
David Ainu’u Eric Fry Olive Kilifi Chance Wenglewski*	LH Prop	David Ainu’u Matt Harmon Chance Wenglewski
Dylan Fawsitt James Hilterbrand Joe Taufete’e	Hooker	Dylan Fawsitt Kapeli Pifeleti Mike Sosene-Feagai Joe Taufete’e
Titi Lamositele Paul Mullen	TH Prop	Titi Lamositele Paul Mullen Dino Waldren

Eric Fry and James Hilterbrand retired from test rugby following the World Cup, while 34-year-old Olive Kilifi doesn’t factor in future plans.

The current group largely selects itself with the only real question the third loosehead prop. Uncapped NOLA starter Matt Harmon has been given the nod. He is the smallest of the three selected but holds his own in the scrum and has a high work rate.

San Diego pair Faka’osi Pifeleti and Nathan Sylvia will have been considered but both have been short of full fitness this season. Houston’s Valdemar Lee-Lo fell out of contention due to injury.

Hooker is a logjam at the moment with four strong nominees. San Diego’s Peter Malcolm and ATL’s Alex Maughan are capped Eagles who miss out, while NOLA’s Pat O’Toole is the best from MLR who isn’t on the list. Austin’s Mason Koch looks like a one worth keeping an eye on.

Dino Waldren missed out on World Cup selection but is the form US-eligible tighthead in MLR. Austin’s Mason Pedersen is likely next on the list, with clubmate Paddy Ryan’s fitness a concern. Roman Salanoa’s contract with Munster prevents his selection for the time being.

 

SECOND ROW

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
Nate Brakeley Nick Civetta Ben Landry Greg Peterson	Lock	Nate Brakeley Nick Civetta Siaosi Mahoni Greg Peterson

The only change here from the World Cup is Siaosi Mahoni in for Ben Landry. Having only just returned to MLR after 14 months out, Landry is still working his way back to match fitness and may come back into the picture later this year.

Mahoni is an enormous man with good potential though injuries have slowed his progress. In some respects he is a surprise inclusion having been in and out of San Diego’s lineup this season though he is clearly in the picture long-term.

Of those who missed out, perhaps the most curious is Nafi Ma’afu. The youngster has recently broken into the senior side with Perpignan and combines size and athleticism. Similar to Landry he has the ability to play both lock and blindside flanker.

Other MLR options who might have been considered include New England’s Jackson Thiebes, San Diego’s Ben Mitchell, and New York’s Charlie Hewitt. Mitchell and Hewitt qualify on residency and could yet get the call later this year.

 

BACK ROW

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
Malon Al-Jiboori Hanco Germishuys Tony Lamborn Ben Pinkelman John Quill	Flanker	Malon Al-Jiboori Hanco Germishuys Andrew Guerra Moni Tonga’uiha Psalm Wooching
Cam Dolan	No8	Cam Dolan Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz Riekert Hattingh

Three flankers from the World Cup squad are out of contention. Ben Pinkelman returned to the sevens program, John Quill retired, and Tony Lamborn is injured. Some sources suggest the latter may not be available to the Eagles moving forward.

Returning to the squad is Psalm Wooching, who was on the World Cup longlist but pulled out for personal reasons. NOLA’s Moni Tonga’uiha is a ball-carrying blindside who has forced his way in with some impressive form over the past two seasons.

Andrew Guerra is an unexpected choice who has been preferred to fellow Eagles prospect Devin Short at No7 for the Gold. A short, compact openside specialist, he has enjoyed a remarkable rise since being drafted late in the first round of the 2020 Collegiate Draft.

Utah pair Lance Williams and Bailey Wilson can be considered unlucky, while ATL’s Connor Cook and Austin’s Michael de Waal are out injured. New England’s Joe Johnston would have been included but has instead opted to maintain his New Zealand eligibility for now.

Cam Dolan was the only No8 specialist at the World Cup. He now faces challenges from Old Glory’s Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz and Seattle’s uncapped Riekert Hattingh. Dolan’s form has not been as sharp but he is the most experienced man in the squad and can also cover lock if needed.

ATL’s Jason Damm is arguably the best MLR contender at any position left out. Hattingh’s superior lineout ability is preferred, while Fa’anana-Schultz is a powerful carrier who is also strong at the breakdown. Nonetheless it will be hard to justify Damm’s exclusion from a fall tour if his form continues.

 

HALFBACKS

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
Nate Augspurger Shaun Davies Ruben de Haas	Scrumhalf	Michael Baska Nick Boyer Ruben de Haas Ryan Rees
Will Hooley AJ MacGinty Will Magie	Flyhalf	Luke Carty Will Hooley AJ MacGinty Will Magie

The retirement of Shaun Davies and injury to Nate Augspurger has left the Eagles very thin in terms of experience at scrumhalf. Nick Boyer has benefitted from his move to Houston with a full-time return to his preferred position. He looks the best bet to provide bench cover for starter Ruben de Haas.

Michael Baska has stepped into the frame as Utah’s first choice and was an expected inclusion. Ryan Rees is something of a surprise. His crisp distribution has been a feature with ATL but he is not a nailed-on starter for the Ratlers with previous Eagles squad select Duncan van Schalkwyk in need of more game time to work his way back into contention.

NOLA’s Holden Yungert is again out in the cold, his form unconvincing this season. Rees has offered quicker service though neither compare physically to the top three options. Two youngsters to watch are Andy Ellis understudy Conor McManus at New York and recent San Diego arrival Ethan McVeigh.

At flyhalf the only change is the addition of LA backup Luke Carty. He is the brother of Ireland international Jack Carty and qualifies through an American-born grandmother. Seattle’s Ben Cima is out injured while New England’s Harrison Boyle it seems was not in contention for the same reason as teammate Joe Johnston.

 

MIDFIELD

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
Marcel Brache Bryce Campbell Paul Lasike Thretton Palamo	Center	Harry Barlow Marcel Brache Bryce Campbell Mika Kruse

Depth at center was already a concern before Paul Lasike dropped out with injury. Bryce Campbell should move in one spot to No12, a position he occupied frequently for both Glendale and London Irish.

Behind him, however, there is no clear alternative. Marcel Brache is set to start at No13 while uncapped inclusions Harry Barlow and Mika Kruse are both outside centers. Barlow has been starting on the wing for New England with Kruse switching between wing and center.

San Diego’s Dylan Audsley would have been odds-on to make the squad but for another untimely injury. Old Glory’s Thretton Palamo and the younger Calvin Whiting from Utah have both been left out. Given the scarcity of options at No12, the latter’s omission is somewhat unusual.

 

OUTSIDE BACKS

RWC 2019	POS	MAY 2021
Martin Iosefo Blaine Scully	Wing	Ryan James Ryan Matyas Conner Mooneyham Gannon Moore John Ryberg
Mike Te’o	Fullback	Mike Dabulas Mike Te’o

With Blaine Scully retiring and Martin Iosefo tied up with in Olympics preparation along with a few other options, new names were required in the outside backs. There are five wingers named along with Mike Te’o, who is an option across the back three.

Gannon Moore is a surprise inclusion after departing MLR for New Zealand where he has most recently been playing club rugby with Silverdale. Ryan Matyas is the only other capped player among the group. He has been playing well but does not always start for the Legion.

Austin’s Conner Mooneyham has justified his first overall selection in the Collegiate Draft with an impressive start to his professional career. Meanwhile the speedy Ryan James has taken his opportunities in a star-studded Giltinis lineup.

John Ryberg doesn’t have the same try-scoring numbers for LA as he did with Glendale, but he has become increasingly influential in recent weeks. Many have wondered if his rampaging style will translate to international rugby, and we could soon find out.

It seems likely that Will Hooley will play fullback, as he did at the World Cup, with Te’o on the wing. In that case it would leave the other starting spot open for any of the five above or possibly one of Barlow or Kruse. All will be watched closely over the next couple weeks.

Mike Dabulas shares the ‘bolter’ tag with Guerra as a surprise choice at fullback. A Collegiate All-American as a playmaking flyhalf, he has shown intelligent running lines and a good boot from the back with Old Glory but likely needs more seasoning to truly contend for a test spot.

Austin’s Zinzan Elan-Puttick and New England’s Mitch Wilson are injured, while New York’s Troy Lockyear has seen limited game time. All are versatile players. Twice-capped wing specialist Deion Mikesell, currently playing in French with Carcassonne, was not selected.

EDIT: New York have clarified that Troy Lockyear is not US-eligible, having returned to the UK for an extended period following his graduation from Cal Berkeley. He will have to complete a further four years of residency to meet qualifications moving forward.