Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
J.D. Stephenson has selected 26 players in his All-American squad to prepare for World Rugby u20 Trophy qualifier against Canada on February 13, to be played at Dell Diamond in Austin, Texas. Only four players return from last year’s squad – prop Nick Kwasniewski, flanker Hanco Germishuys, and starting halfbacks Louis Mulholland and Ben Cima.
Heavyweight Kahuku High School prop Roman Salanoa is among the new names, along with impressive Lindenwood athletes Deion Mikesell and Lorenzo Thomas. Henley Hawks fullback/flyhalf Rodney Giles is the only overseas based player in the squad. LSU openside Brennan Falcon is the younger brother of senior Eagles ARC hooker Cameron.
Clermont’s Moses Fuala’au is one of several notable absentees. Penn State flanker Malcolm May is another, and giant Herriman High no8 Leki Fotu appears to have pledged his immediate future to collegiate football.
Meanwhile joining the coaching staff as forwards coach is former Canterbury prop Peter Borlase, who also spent time with Munster and is currently head coach of Denver Barbarians. Former Eagles wing David Fee, who won 28 caps over a four year span between 2002 and 2005, is another addition as skills coach. Stephenson continues in an interim capacity with Scott Lawrence retained as a technical advisor.
Canada are due to announce their squad in the coming days and are expected to include a number of highly rated prospects after concluding a final selection camp this past weekend.
FORWARDS
Connor Cudeback (Cal Poly State), Nick Kwasniewski (Grand Canyon), Mason Pedersen (Arizona), Roman Salanoa (Kahuku High), Chance Wenglewski (Lindenwood), Steven Branham (Arizona), Zach Haley (Metropolis), Sean Coleman (Arizona), Bronson Teles (Katy Barbarians), Josh Warnock (Peninsula Green), Malon Al-Jiboori (Lindenwood), Brennan Falcon (LSU), Hanco Germishuys (Glendale Raptors), Veuki Taumoefolau (Las Vegas Irish)
BACKS
Ruben de Haas (Little Rock), Louis Mulholland (Bath University), Ben Cima (Rocky Gorge), Duncan van Schalkwyk (Life), Will Fifita (Aurora Saracens), Brian Hannon (Arizona), Devin Lim (UCLA), Lorenzo Thomas (Lindenwood), Deion Mikesell (Lindenwood), Tyler Sousley (Arizona), Rodney Giles (Henley Hawks, UK), Mitch Wilson (Life)
Head Coach – J.D. Stephenson
Forwards Coach – Peter Borlase
Manager / Backs Coach – Michael Engelbrecht
Strength & Conditioning – Justin Goonan
Skills Coach – David Fee
Academy Manager – Kevin Battle
Analyst – James Walton
Technical Advisor – Scott Lawrence
Physiotherapist – Dennis Greenhill
