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Samu Manoa is back in the frame for the Eagles. The 37-year-old lock or back row last represented the USA in November of 2018 before announcing his international retirement ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019. Manoa is one of 30 players named by Head Coach Gary Gold for the upcoming World Cup Qualifying series against Chile.
Star flyhalf AJ MacGinty is included and is likely to captain the side though none has been specified at this stage. Paul Lasike returns after missing the entirety of the 2021 test series with injury. Martin Iosefo makes the successful transition from the World Sevens Series to the XV-a-side game, and there is one uncapped inclusion in New England Free Jacks wing or fullback Mitch Wilson.
Notably there are just four specialist props named with Joe Taufete’e providing cover despite playing exclusively at hooker with the LA Giltinis. Seawolves lock or flanker Ben Landry is ruled out due to injury, as is Southland flanker Tony Lamborn. The latter last played test rugby at RWC 2019 but was set to be named in the squad to face the Cóndores.
Among other absentees NOLA Gold flanker Andrew Guerra is still recovering from a broken leg suffered while playing against New Zealand in October, while Psalm Wooching has not played since January after undergoing knee surgery. San Diego flyhalf Will Hooley and Seattle center Tavite Lopeti have missed recent action for their clubs but are expected to be fit in time for the series.
The Eagles will arrive in Houston over the next two weeks with a match against the French Barbarians at AVEVA Stadium taking place on July 1. Additional domestic talent will also be present at the camp to provide opposition. The first game of the Americas 2 series will take place in Santiago on July 9, with the return match at Glendale’s Infinity Park on July 16.
PROP
David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR)
Chance Wenglewski (Rugby New York)
Titi Lamositele (Montpellier, FR)
Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors)
HOOKER
Kapeli Pifeleti (Saracens)
Mike Sosene-Feagai (Toulon, FR)
Joe Taufete’e (LA Giltinis)
SECOND ROW
Nate Brakeley (Rugby New York)
Nick Civetta (Rugby New York)
Siaosi Mahoni (Houston SaberCats)
Samu Manoa (Seattle Seawolves)
Greg Peterson (Newcastle Falcons, UK)
BACK ROW
Malon Al-Jiboori (Houston SaberCats)
Benjamín Bonasso (Rugby New York)
Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold)
Hanco Germishuys (LA Giltinis)
Moni Tonga’uiha (NOLA Gold)
SCRUMHALF
Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion)
Michael Baska (Rouen Normandie, FR)
Ruben de Haas (Saracens, UK)
FLYHALF
Luke Carty (LA Giltinis)
Will Hooley (San Diego Legion)
AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK)
MIDFIELD
Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis)
Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors)
Tavite Lopeti (Seattle Seawolves)
OUTSIDE BACKS
Marcel Brache (Austin Gilgronis)
Christian Dyer (Houston SaberCats)
Martin Iosefo (Seattle Seawolves)
Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks)
