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The Eagles squad has now been named for the vital World Cup Qualifying Series against Chile next month. One team will punch their ticket to France 2023 and the other will move on to the last-gasp Repechage round-robin in November, at a neutral location to be determined.
As expected Gary Gold has maintained a large portion of the group that featured against Uruguay last year. Nine players who missed out in October are included. In general the roster is stronger this time around. Below we take a position-by-position look at what’s in store for Los Cóndores.
FRONT ROW
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| David Ainu’u Matt Harmon |
LH Prop | David Ainu’u Chance Wenglewski |
| Dylan Fawsitt Kapeli Pifeleti |
Hooker | Kapeli Pifeleti Mike Sosene-Feagai |
| Paul Mullen Joe Taufete’e Dino Waldren |
TH Prop | Titi Lamositele Paul Mullen Joe Taufete’e |
Chance Wenglewski had been with the team for the Canada tests but injury left him out of the Uruguay series. He is fit once again – and noticeably lighter this season – with Matt Harmon left out. David Ainu’u from Toulouse is a certainty to start at loosehead.
Hooker sees the return of Mike Sosene-Feagai, who was initially named in last year’s Qualifier squad but missed out due to his contract situation with Toulon. He can be expected to start with one of Kapeli Pifeleti or Joe Taufete’e in reserve. The latter played tighthead prop against Uruguay but has been used exclusively at hooker in recent months since moving from France to LA.
Tighthead prop will be occupied by Titi Lamositele. The Montpellier regular has not featured for the Eagles since the 2019 World Cup for personal reasons. Dino Waldren has faced a stern challenge from up-and-coming Brian Nault for the starting role at NOLA, while Roman Salanoa’s contract with Munster prevents him from committing to the USA.
SECOND ROW
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| Nate Brakeley Nick Civetta Siaosi Mahoni Greg Peterson |
Lock | Nate Brakeley Nick Civetta Siaosi Mahoni Greg Peterson |
Though the above suggests no changes to the second row, there is a notable return for Samu Manoa to the squad. He is included as a back row player for ease of squad comparison. Manoa looks a prime candidate for the No19 shirt with his ability to play lock, blindside flanker, and No8.
Greg Peterson is the only overseas player of the five though he was notably left on the bench against Uruguay. It would be a surprise if he did not start against Chile. Nafi Ma’afi, who will trade Perpignan for Biarritz next season, remains left out of the squad.
BACK ROW
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| Benjamín Bonasso Hanco Germishuys Andrew Guerra Moni Tonga’uiha |
Flanker | Malon Al-Jiboori Benjamín Bonasso Hanco Germishuys Moni Tonga’uiha |
| Cam Dolan Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz |
No8 | Cam Dolan Samu Manoa |
Manoa has been primarily used at lock for Seattle but also covers the back row. Malon Al-Jiboori returned to contention after leaving Ealing for Houston and can line up at all three back row spots, which makes him a strong candidate for the No20 shirt.
Benjamín Bonasso, Hanco Germishuys, and Cam Dolan appear the most likely candidates to start with Moni Tonga’uiha challenging Al-Jiboori for the reserve role. Germishuys should wear the No7 shirt though he has played mostly blindside flanker or No8 for the Giltinis.
Injury has ruled out openside specialist Andrew Guerra while Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz is currently suspended. Tony Lamborn was set to return to the squad for the first time since the World Cup but was a late withdrawal due to a broken hand.
Lock or blindside flanker Ben Landry was in line for a recall but was injured while playing for Seattle. Another who might have been in the mix, France-based flanker Psalm Wooching, has not played since January after undergoing knee surgery.
Domestic standouts who missed out include flankers Lance Williams and Joe Johnston and Seawolves No8 Riekert Hattingh. ATL’s Jason Damm returned from a long-term knee injury part-way through the Major League Rugby season but saw limited game time.
HALFBACKS
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| Nate Augspurger Michael Baska Ruben de Haas |
Scrumhalf | Nate Augspurger Michael Baska Ruben de Haas |
| Luke Carty Will Hooley Will Magie |
Flyhalf | Luke Carty Will Hooley AJ MacGinty |
The most significant change in the squad is the return of Sale flyhalf AJ MacGinty, who missed out on the Uruguay tests with injury. He should captain the team, and takes over the roster spot of Will Magie who recently announced his retirement.
Both Nate Augspurger and Will Hooley have been battling injuries in recent weeks but keep their place in the squad. Ruben de Haas is expected to start at scrumhalf, with Michael Baska the leading candidate for the backup role after a strong season in the French Pro D2.
MIDFIELD
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| Bryce Campbell Tavite Lopeti Ryan Matyas |
Center | Bryce Campbell Paul Lasike Tavite Lopeti |
Paul Lasike returned to Utah from a three-year stint in the UK and is another strong addition to the squad. All three midfielders played No12 for their respective teams with Tavite Lopeti the most likely candidate for the No13 shirt. Bryce Campbell captained the side in MacGinty’s absence but could miss out on a starting role if Lasike is preferred at inside center.
Ryan Matyas was listed as a center or wing though it’s at the latter where he was mostly utilised. He has now retired from international rugby. Thretton Palamo is injured while Houston’s Matai Leuta and Utah’s Calvin Whiting were left out.
OUTSIDE BACKS
| vs URUGUAY | POS | vs CHILE |
| Christian Dyer Ryan James Mika Kruse |
Wing | Christian Dyer Martin Iosefo Mitch Wilson |
| Mike Dabulas Marcel Brache |
Fullback | Marcel Brache |
There are two additions out wide with Seattle’s Martin Iosefo set to wear the No11 shirt after ending his time on the World Sevens Series, while New England’s in-form Mitch Wilson receives his first Eagles call. The latter is diminutive by international standards but offers cover at wing and fullback while also providing another goal-kicking option.
Christian Dyer should continue at No14 despite playing every game with Houston at outside center. Marcel Brache will be the fullback, having only occasionally played in the midfield for Austin this season.
Mika Kruse has been in-and-out of Utah’s lineup in recent weeks with injury while Mike Te’o is overlooked. Mike Dabulas suffered a season-ending knee injury mid-way through the season with Old Glory. Ryan James struggled to win a starting spot with LA.
