July Tests: USA – Uncapped Player Profiles

The Eagles have landed in the UK and are now preparing to take on the challenges of England and Ireland over the next two weekends. Having revised the squad following the withdrawal of Titi Lamositele and injuries to AJ MacGinty, Chance Wenglewski, and Conner Mooneyham, Gary Gold will have 10 uncapped players at his disposal with senior debuts likely for at least half of them. Below we take a quick look at where the new players have come from and what they offer to the team.

 

Matt Harmon
NOLA Gold

Age: 25
Position: Loosehead Prop
Height: 5’10” (1.79m)
Weight: 250lbs (114kg)
MLR Caps: 31

Won 1st Team Collegiate All-American honors in 2018 with Life Running Eagles. In his third season of Major League Rugby, he has started regular season games at all three front row positions. Initially a hooker with NOLA, he has settled at loosehead prop over the past two seasons. Sound in the scrum and a punishing tackler. Replaced the injured Chance Wenglewski on the traveling roster.

 

Andrew Guerra
NOLA Gold

Age: 23
Position: Openside Flanker
Height: 5’10” (1.78m)
Weight: 220lbs (100kg)
MLR Caps: 11

Compact breakdown specialist who also carries well into traffic. Makes up for his lack of height with impressive upper body strength. Has shot to prominence in his first season as a professional after being selected as a relative unknown in the first round of the 2020 Collegiate Draft. A surprise choice in the squad given his inexperience but certainly a player of potential.

 

Riekert Hattingh
Seattle Seawolves

Age: 27
Position: Number Eight
Height: 6’5″ (1.95m)
Weight: 235lbs (107kg)
MLR Caps: 39

The captain and talismanic figure of the Seawolves who has won two MLR titles at the back of their scrum. Originally from South Africa where he played with the Golden Lions and Blue Bulls. Has been playing professionally in the USA since 2016 and qualified on residency ahead of RWC 2019 but did not make the final cut. Good athlete with surprising acceleration from the scrum. Excels in the lineouts and has the ability to link with the backs on the counter-attack.

 

Michael Baska
Utah Warriors

Age: 26
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 6’1″ (1.86m)
Weight: 185lbs (85kg)
MLR Caps: 34

Another who has taken a big jump this season. He played fullback for NOLA in 2018 before focusing on scrumhalf. Last season he was second-choice at Utah to Samoan international Dwayne Polataivao. Earned Collegiate All-American honors in sevens. Primarily a distributor who runs smart support lines, he excels in moving the ball quickly in broken play.

 

Ryan Rees
Rugby ATL

Age: 23
Position: Scrumhalf
Height: 5’10” (1.78m)
Weight: 170lbs (78kg)
MLR Caps: 12

A more conventional halfback with sharp service from the base, and a committed defender despite his relative lack of size. The least experienced of the three scrumhalves on tour, he has previously represented the USA at u20 level and was a Collegiate All-American in 2019. Has jumped ahead of another Eagles prospect Duncan van Schalkwyk for the Eastern Conference leaders.

 

Luke Carty
LA Giltinis

Age: 23
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 6′ (1.82m)
Weight: 200lbs (90kg)
MLR Caps: 12

Younger brother of Ireland international Jack Carty, he qualifies through a New York-born grandmother. He was a late call-up to the Ireland u20 squad at the 2017 Junior World Championship. Joined LA from Connacht this year where he has been second choice to Matt Giteau but has made the most of every opportunity. Quality kicker from hand and off the tee. One of two players competing for the No10 shirt in the absence of AJ MacGinty along with Will Hooley from Saracens.

 

Christian Dyer
USA Sevens

Age: 23
Position: Wing
Height: 6’2″ (1.88m)
Weight: 210lbs (95kg)
MLR Caps: 0

Received an unexpected call-up following the untimely injury to Conner Mooneyham over the weekend. Dyer has been training with the USA Sevens squad in recent months and was tipped as a potential bolter for the Olympics. Earned Collegiate All-American honors as a center with the Cal Golden Bears but will start his Eagles career as a wing. Good combination of size, speed, and vision. Picked up by Rugby United New York in the supplementary draft but has yet to appear in Major League Rugby.

 

Mika Kruse
Utah Warriors

Age: 23
Position: Wing
Height: 6’1″ (1.85m)
Weight: 210lbs (95kg)
MLR Caps: 41

Has revived a sputtering career with an early-season trade to Utah after initially signing with LA from the now-defunct Colorado Raptors. Made his professional debut as a teenager in 2018 and has split his time between outside center and wing since. Renowned for his unorthodox passing skills, he also knows his way to the tryline. Previously represented the USA Select XV at the Americas Pacific Challenge and was a late replacement for the Eagles in the friendly against the New Zealand Māori in 2018.

 

Ryan James
LA Giltinis

Age: 21
Position: Wing
Height: 6’2″ (1.88m)
Weight: 190lbs (87kg)
MLR Caps: 12

Makes the jump from the USA u20s to senior level in his second season as a pro. Played only once for the Colorado Raptors last season but has flourished playing alongside Giteau & Co. in LA. A pure finisher who is likely the fastest player across 100 meters in the team. Also qualified for Samoa through his mother.

 

Mike Dabulas
Old Glory DC

Age: 24
Position: Fullback
Height: 5’11” (1.80m)
Weight: 185lbs (85kg)
MLR Caps: 17

Earned Collegiate All-American honors in 7s and XVs as a flyhalf for Penn State. He has had limited time at No10 with Old Glory in his two seasons and has more often been seen in the outside backs. Not the biggest physically but is not afraid to take on the line with good footwork and an appreciation for space. Strong footballing skills with a handy left boot.