Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
AJ MacGinty has been declared fit to captain the USA in the upcoming World Cup Qualifying Series against Canada. The Sale Sharks flyhalf has recovered from a knee injury that ruled him out of the Eagles tour to London and Dublin last month.
There are five further additions who missed out on the tests against England and Ireland. Recalled are Rugby ATL standout Chance Wenglewski and San Diego Legion pair Nate Augspurger and Ryan Matyas. A pair of uncapped back rows arrive in Rugby United New York’s Benjamín Bonasso, a former Argentina age-grade international, and Moni Tonga’uiha of the NOLA Gold.
Riekert Hattingh is left out with one game remaining on his suspension, while and Will Hooley remains sidelined with injury. Titi Lamositele is also absent only recently returning to training with his club side following the birth of his daughter in late May.
Left out are Psalm Wooching, Ryan Rees, Calvin Whiting, Mike Dabulas, and Mike Te’o. Wooching is switching to new club Rouen Normandie in the Pro D2, while Te’o is reportedly unavailable with his wife nearing the due date for their child. Whiting is a surprise absentee after starting both tests.
Also of note is the selection of Joe Taufete’e as a prop. With Lamositele missing Gary Gold looks to be considering his options at tighthead prop. Taufete’e has been training at the No3 position with club Lyon and played there as a replacement against Exeter in the Champions Cup.
Meanwhile two Major League Rugby coaches have been added to Gold’s staff. Rugby ATL backs coach Stephen Brett joins the Eagles for the first time while Utah Warriors Head Coach Shawn Pittman returns to the side to work with the forwards. They join Rob Hoadley as Assistant Coaches.
The Eagles will face Canada on Saturday, September 4, at Swilers Rugby Park in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in the first game of the series. Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, will be the venue for the second one week later. The winner of the series will face Uruguay in October for the Americas 1 spot.
A detailed squad list can be seen here.
FORWARDS
David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR), Matt Harmon (NOLA Gold), Chance Wenglewski (Rugby ATL), Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York), Kapeli Pifeleti (Saracens, UK), Mike Sosene-Feagai (Old Glory DC), Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors), Joe Taufete’e (Lyon, FR), Dino Waldren (NOLA Gold), Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York), Nick Civetta (Rugby United New York), Siaosi Mahoni (San Diego Legion), Greg Peterson (Newcastle Falcons, UK), Benjamín Bonasso (Rugby United New York), Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold), Hanco Germishuys (Rugby United New York), Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (Old Glory DC), Andrew Guerra (NOLA Gold), Moni Tonga’uiha (NOLA Gold)
BACKS
Nate Ausgpurger (San Diego Legion), Michael Baska (Utah Warriors), Ruben de Haas (Saracens, UK), Luke Carty (LA Giltinis), AJ MacGinty (capt., Sale Sharks, UK), Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU), Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis), Ryan Matyas (San Diego Legion), Christian Dyer (USA Sevens), Ryan James (LA Giltinis), Mika Kruse (Utah Warriors), Will Magie (Austin Gilgronis)
FIXTURES
Sept 4 – vs Canada – Swilers Rugby Park (St. John’s)
Sept 11 – vs Canada – Infinity Park (Glendale)
