USA Falcons named for Toyota Challenge in South Africa

A 30-man USA squad has been named for the upcoming Toyota Challenge matches in South Africa. The team will travel under the ‘Falcons’ name, though a second such squad will head to Montevideo at the same time for matches against the ‘A’ sides of Uruguay and Argentina.

All but four of the domestic-based Eagles from July have been included. The absentees are back row trio Hanco Germishuys, Jason Damm, and Tevita Tameilau, along with winger Martin Iosefo. None of the eight players based in Europe were available for the tour due to club commitments.

Uncapped call-ups include prop Nathan Sylvia, hooker Kaleb Geiger, second row Keni Nasoqeqe, back rows Vili Helu, Cory Daniel, and Michael de Waal, halfbacks Ryan Rees and Duncan van Schalkwyk, and winger Conner Mooneyham. Once-capped prop Faka’osi Pifeleti and veteran hooker Dylan Fawsitt are recalled, and loose forward Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz returns from suspension.

The Falcons will play two games against South African provincial sides, both at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. First they will face the Cheetahs on October 14, followed by the Pumas on October 21. Those included in the senior Eagles squad will then travel directly to Dubai to begin preparations for November’s World Cup Repechage tournament.

LOOSEHEAD PROP
Jack Iscaro (Old Glory DC) uncapped
Faka’osi Pifeleti (Austin Gilgronis) 1 cap
Nathan Sylvia (San Diego Legion) uncapped
Chance Wenglewski (Rugby New York) 10 caps

HOOKER
Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby New York) 20 caps
Kaleb Geiger (Rugby New York) uncapped

TIGHTHEAD PROP
Angus MacLellan (Utah Warriors) 7 caps
Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors) 27 caps

SECOND ROW
Nick Civetta (Rugby New York) 35 caps
Siaosi Mahoni (Houston SaberCats) 7 caps
Keni Nasoqeqe (Houston SaberCats) uncapped

BACK ROW
Benjamín Bonasso (Rugby New York) 4 caps
Cory Daniel (Old Glory DC) uncapped
Michael de Waal (Austin Gilgronis) uncapped
Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold) 60 caps
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (Old Glory DC) 6 caps
Vili Helu (Rugby ATL) uncapped
Moni Tonga’uiha (NOLA Gold) 2 caps

SCRUMHALF
Nate Augspurger (San Diego Legion) 33 caps
Ryan Rees (Rugby ATL) uncapped

FLYHALF
Luke Carty (LA Giltinis) 7 caps
Duncan van Schalkwyk (Rugby ATL) uncapped

MIDFIELD
Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis) 41 caps
Paul Lasike (Utah Warriors) 19 caps
Tavite Lopeti (Seattle Seawolves) 7 caps

OUTSIDE BACKS
Marcel Brache (Austin Gilgronis) 30 caps
Christian Dyer (Houston SaberCats) 8 caps
Chris Mattina (Austin Gilgronis) uncapped
Conner Mooneyham (Austin Gilgronis) uncapped
Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks) uncapped