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Paul Lasike will not play again this year. In fact the US Eagles star could spend up to nine months on the sidelines after rupturing an Achilles tendon while training with club side Harlequins last month.
It’s a heavy blow for the 31-year-old, who will now miss the upcoming Rugby World Cup Qualifiers and most of the 2021-2022 English Premiership season. He was due to be included in the Eagles squad for the July tests before suffering the injury.
Bryce Campbell and Marcel Brache were to form the USA’s midfield against England but a late change saw Brache moved to fullback and Calvin Whiting coming in at inside center. Whiting’s performance and strong form with Utah will be comforting to Gary Gold with the USA’s center stocks otherwise thin.
Other options may emerge following the Olympics with Martin Iosefo and Matai Leuta both powerful ball carriers. Iosefo was used on the wing during the 2019 World Cup but is perhaps best suited for a midfield role. Gold has already added Christian Dyer from the sevens squad and is keen to expand his player pool. Dyer scored a try in his test debut on Sunday.
The injury to Lasike leaves the USA’s backline at least one starter short this fall, and flyhalf AJ MacGinty remains a concern though his outlook is more optimistic. MacGinty underwent meniscus surgery three weeks ago with the initial prognosis a 6-8 week recovery time.
