USA Hawks squad named for South American tour

A squad of 28 players has been named in the USA Hawks squad for their two-week South American tour. The development side will face Super Rugby Americas clubs Selknam and Pampas along with an Argentine equivalent before returning stateside to play four further matches.

Once returned from South America, the team will be centralized in Charlotte, North Carolina, to play Cobras and Yacare and two matches against the Argentina u20s. The program is a collaboration between USA Rugby and Major League Rugby, with support also provided by World Rugby.

The squad is largely comprised of MLR fringe or academy squad members with only two over the age of 25. Three players play their club rugby abroad; Perth Bayswater hooker Sam Faoagali, Western Province flanker Aidan Christians, and Naas midfielder Shane Fata. The latter was previously part of the New England Free Jacks academy side. Houston SaberCats academy lock Maxime Wilson has returned from several months in France playing for Bourges.

Former Lindenwood captain Marnus Spangenberg is included despite not yet being US-eligible. He qualifies on 5-year residency later this summer. Former Old Glory, LA, and Eagles 7s flyer D’Montae Noble is also included. Both players have been suiting up for Rugby HTX.

Versatile back Hayden Hill was named on the list, but ARN understands that he has recently departed Dallas to play for Nedlands in Western Australia. It’s not clear who his replacement will be. Jackals draft picks Jason Tidwell and Kyle Fulton are included. EDIT: New England flanker Ethan Fryer has now been added as Hill’s replacement.

Coaching the side will be USA Pathways Director Brendan Keane. He is assisted by former ATL hooker Neethling Gericke and ex-Manu Samoa back Elvis Seveali’i.

 

PROP
Hunter Blanchard (Houston SaberCats) 6′ / 260lbs / 25yrs
Elijah Hayes (Utah Warriors) 6’3″ / 265lbs / 25yrs
Doyle Hedgepeth (New York Ironworkers) 6′ / 245lbs / 24yrs
Oliver Kane (San Diego Legion) 6’4″ / 270lbs / 26yrs
Ivan Pula (New England Free Jacks) 6’1″ / 255lbs / 25yrs
Trent Rogers (NOLA Gold) 6′ / 285lbs / 23yrs

HOOKER
Isaac Bales (Rugby ATL) 5’9″ / 245lbs / 23yrs
Tristan Cole (Rocky Gorge / Old Glory) 6′ / 220lbs / 19yrs
Sam Faoagali (Perth Bayswater, AU) 5’10” / 240lbs / 20yrs

SECOND ROW
Matt Gelhaus (Rugby ATL) 6’5″ / 240lbs / 22yrs
Lucas Gramlick (American Raptors) 6’8″ / 280lbs / 22yrs
Bill Whiteside (New York Ironworkers) 6’5″ / 235lbs / 24yrs
Maxime Wilson (Bourges, FR / Houston SaberCats) 6’7″ / 255lbs / 21yrs

BACK ROW
Aminae Amiatu-Tanoi (San Diego Legion) 6’3″ / 230lbs / 18yrs
Isaiah Caver (Utah Warriors) 6’5″ / 200lbs / 19yrs
Aidan Christians (Western Province, SA) 6’2″ / 210lbs / 19yrs
Ethan Fryer (New England Free Jacks) 6’2″ / 210lbs / 20yrs
Marnus Spangenberg (Houston SaberCats) 6’3″ / 210lbs / 23yrs

SCRUMHALF
Evan Conlon (Rugby ATL) 5’9″ / 185lbs / 23yrs
Tai Kauwe (Utah Warriors) 5’10” / 195lbs / 24yrs

FLYHALF
Trace Bolstad (Houston SaberCats) 6’2″ / 200lbs / 28yrs
Chase Suznevich (Queens Charlotte) 6’1″ / 175lbs / 23yrs
Coleson Warner (Utah Warriors) 5’10” / 175lbs / 24yrs

MIDFIELD
Shane Fata (Naas, IR) 5’9″ / 195lbs / 20yrs
Jason Tidwell (Dallas Jackals) 5’9″ / 180lbs / 23yrs

OUTSIDE BACKS
Kyle Fulton (Dallas Jackals) 5’9″ / 195lbs / 23yrs
D’Montae Noble (Houston SaberCats) 5’8″ / 185lbs / 25yrs
Christian Olney (NOLA Gold) 6’2″ / 200lbs / 23yrs

 

FIXTURES
March 4 – vs Selknam – Santiago, Chile
March 10 – vs Pampas – Buenos Aires, Argentina
March 15 – vs Argentina Development – Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 6 – vs Cobras – Charlotte, North Carolina
April 15 – vs Argentina u20 – Charlotte, North Carolina
April 21 – vs Argentina u20 – Charlotte, North Carolina
April 29 – vs Yacare – Charlotte, North Carolina