North America’s Lions – The Wolverines

Today’s announcement of the British & Irish Lions squad brings a definitive end to months of doubt whether the tour would even go ahead. Fingers crossed anyway. Four years ago we approached the concept of an ‘Americas Lions‘ touring side, and while it was a fun exercise there was no historical precedent and realistically would never come to fruition.

There is, however, an interesting case for a North American select side. The Wolverines – before the name was adopted by Canada’s rugby league side – were an amalgamation of the best from Canada and the USA who took on the Wallabies in the opening match of their 1989 tour of Canada and France.

Over the past four years the emergence of Major League Rugby has greatly expanded the pool of talent available to the two leading members of Rugby Americas North. All those considered are now attached to professional clubs and the number based overseas continues to drop.

The squad is comprised of 37 players, identical to that of the Lions and four less than 2017. As with any selection of this nature there will be contentious choices and very good players left out. Many speak for themselves but we have provided explanations for those that require them.

Timing has also played a factor here. While the European competitions are nearing the end of their season, MLR has not yet reached the mid-point. For some players it means the decision has come two months too soon, while others may have missed out come July.

To be considered all players had to be eligible for either Canada or the USA, though not necessarily capped or still playing for their national side. As this is a one-off tour we will assume players retired from test rugby would still accept the invitation. Players technically eligible but committed to other countries such as Sale hooker Ewan Ashman were not considered.

Others players not considered were all those injured or unavailable. The latter includes all those currently tied up with Olympic Sevens preparations. In a perfect world several would have been in the conversation, but these are hardly perfect times were are living in!

 

LOOSEHEAD PROP (3)
David Ainu’u (Toulouse, FR / USA)
Titi Lamositele (Montpellier, FR / USA)
Chance Wenglewski (Rugby ATL / USA)

Of note here is the choice of Titi Lamositele as a loosehead, though he has more recently been playing tighthead for Montpellier. There is simply greater depth at tighthead and we felt he would be best placed on the left side of the scrum in this squad. Chance Wenglewski is by our estimation the top domestic loosehead available ahead of Canadian pair Cole Keith and Djustice Sears-Duru.

HOOKER (3)
Dylan Fawsitt (Rugby United New York / USA)
Kapeli Pifeleti (Saracens, UK / USA)
Joe Taufete’e (Lyon, FR / USA)

Joe Taufete’e is the clear front runner and we felt the European experience of Kapeli Pifeleti in this case was significant. A late call saw Dylan Fawsitt pip Northland skipper Jordan Olsen for the third spot. Olsen is uncapped for Canada but with neither Andrew Quattrin or Eric Howard able to claim clear superiority we felt Olsen’s leadership experience and playing style were worth consideration.

TIGHTHEAD PROP (3)
Paul Mullen (Utah Warriors / USA)
Roman Salanoa (Munster, IR / USA)
Matt Tierney (Castres, FR / Canada)

The inclusion of Roman Salanoa is ultimately what pushed Lamositele to loosehead. Salanoa’s Munster contract seems to preclude him from playing for the Eagles at the moment but we are hopeful that situation will change in the future. Paul Mullen got the nod as the best domestic tighthead.

SECOND ROW (5)
Kyle Baillie (NOLA Gold / Canada)
Nate Brakeley (Rugby United New York / USA)
Nick Civetta (Rugby United New York / USA)
Evan Olmstead (Biarritz Olympique, FR / Canada)
Greg Peterson (Newcastle Falcons, UK / USA)

Ben Landry is taking time out from the sport so was not considered here. Kyle Baillie also provides cover on the blindside flank. Nate Brakeley’s form and experience earned him the final spot though others were considered. In particular two France-based youngsters – Canada’s Tyler Duguid and the USA’s Nafi Ma’afu – very nearly made the cut.

BACK ROW (7)
Tyler Ardron (Castres, FR / Canada)
Matt Beukeboom (Montauban, FR / Canada)
Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold / USA)
Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (Old Glory DC / USA)
Hanco Germishuys (Rugby United New York / USA)
Lucas Rumball (Toronto Arrows / Canada)
Psalm Wooching (San Diego Legion / USA)

Tyler Ardron was in our eyes the only nailed-on selection with Tony Lamborn absent due to injury. Recent form was the deciding factor for Lucas Rumball, Psalm Wooching, and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz. Matt Beukeboom is a blindside flanker with a physical profile unlike most domestic candidates. Cam Dolan has perhaps not been at his best lately but brings leadership, experience, lineout ability, and versatility. Hanco Germishuys was the final addition to the group, another who has started slowly in MLR but we are backing to reach his potential in the coming weeks. Among several unlucky to miss out are Matt Heaton and Riekert Hattingh.

SCRUMHALF (3)
Nick Boyer (Houston SaberCats / USA)
Ruben de Haas (Austin Gilgronis / USA)
Will Percillier (Stade Français, FR / Canada)

Ruben de Haas and Will Percillier, though both young, are playing the highest level of rugby and were clear inclusions in our opinion. Nate Augspurger’s injury opened up the third spot, which goes to Nick Boyer on form and his unique physical qualities. He could also fill in on the wing if needed. Ross Braude was rated the next best domestic option.

FLYHALF (3)
Harrison Boyle (New England Free Jacks / USA)
Will Hooley (Saracens, UK / USA)
AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks, UK / USA)

The only spot here was up for debate. Luke Carty, Shane O’Leary, Robbie Povey, and Harrison Boyle were all in the mix. In the end Boyle’s size and passing skills were a point of different, with the possibility of playing at inside center helping his case. Like Salanoa his immediate availability for the Eagles is uncertain. Will Hooley is also a consideration at fullback, where there is a fourth flyhalf option.

CENTER (4)
Bryce Campbell (Austin Gilgronis / USA)
Paul Lasike (Harlequins, UK / USA)
Ben LeSage (Toronto Arrows / Canada)
Thretton Palamo (Old Glory DC / USA)

Injury rules out Dylan Audsley and left us with a significant dilemma. We would have preferred a playmaker option at inside center but with no obvious candidate it’s Boyle or possibly one of the two fullback selections who could fill in. The decision then came down to the experience of Thretton Palamo or rising talent Quinn Ngawati.

WING (4)
Marcel Brache (Western Force, AU / USA)
Jeff Hassler (Austin Gilgronis / Canada)
Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors / USA)
DTH van der Merwe (LA Giltinis / Canada)

Marcel Brache is an option in the midfield as well. Injury to Taylor Paris led us to summon DTH van der Merwe for one last hurrah on the virtual big stage. Jeff Hassler has not played yet in the MLR season but should return soon and makes the grade on reputation. Among those who miss out are France-based Deion Mikesell, San Diego’s Ryan Matyas, and several domestic prospects such as Ryan James and the ultra-versatile Mitch Wilson.

FULLBACK (2)
Peter Nelson (Bressane, FR / Canada)
Patrick Parfrey (Toronto Arrows / Canada)

Peter Nelson has been playing flyhalf for his French club and with Canada, but much of his professional experience has been at fullback. He provides a very useful left foot kicking option. Patrick Parfrey’s versatility is also an option at inside center. Injuries ruled out the likes of NOLA pair JP Eloff and Nick Feakes, while some of the preferred options are instead preparing for Tokyo.