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USA forward Ben Pinkelman has been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics. A stand-in captain when required for Madison Hughes, the 2016 select and Rugby World Cup 2019 flanker will miss the Games with a chronic back injury that has not responded to treatment.
Pinkelman is set to undergo surgery in the hope of returning to international rugby in the future. He attached a statement to an official media release.
“The ups and downs of managing this back injury for the last 3 years has been one of the toughest challenges of my life. Like many rugby players I pride myself on playing through injuries and pain but with recent setbacks, I’ve reached a point where it is no longer safe or possible for me to compete.”
Called into the main squad as a replacement is Brett Thompson, while a change in selection rules now sees a 13th player – Cody Melphy – also added to the squad. Teams are required to name 12 players for each match but can choose from any of the 13 names on the roster.
USA MEN’S EAGLES (REVISED)
Perry Baker, Danny Barrett, Maceo Brown, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Cody Melphy, Folau Niua, Joe Schroeder, Brett Thompson, Stephen Tomasin, Kevon Williams
TRAVELING RESERVES
Malacchi Esdale, Naima Fuala’au
