Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The USA suffered an overwhelming defeat at the hands of the All Blacks on Saturday. While the scoreline was difficult to stomach for an Eagles supporter, it must also be put in context.
With the game being played outside of the World Rugby test window, overseas clubs were not compelled to release their American players for the match. It meant that a significant number of the USA’s best players were unavailable for the match against the world’s No2-ranked team.
A victory was not on the cards but we can only assume that the margin of defeat would have been more palatable if the Eagles had access to their full complement of players. Below we look at an alternate XV of those not involved in the match due to club commitments, injury, or other reasons.
1 – David Ainu’u (Toulouse) The starting loosehead in the World Cup Qualifiers who appeared regularly in Top 14 match day squads last season. Second choice Chance Wenglewski, a standout in MLR with Rugby ATL, is still on the mend from a facial injury.
2 – Mike Sosene-Feagai (Toulon) It was Kapeli Pifeleti from Saracens who played in the Qualifiers after Sosene-Feagai signed on as a medical joker with Toulon. Both have started tests at hooker this year as well as Lyon’s Joe Taufete’e, though the latter has recently shifted to tighthead prop.
3 – Titi Lamositele (Montpellier) Pulled out of the July tour for family reasons and subsequently missed the Qualifiers as well. When available, however, Lamositele is the USA’s most experienced tighthead. Taufete’e started in the Qualifier series against Uruguay. Munster’s Roman Salanoa is a USA u20 cap but his contract prevents him from playing for the Eagles.
4 – Nafi Ma’afu (Perpignan) The 23-year-old has thus far not been named in a USA squad since representing the u20s but has made it known that he holds aspirations of playing for the Eagles. He has made three Top 14 appearances as a replacement this season.
5 – Greg Peterson (Newcastle Falcons) A part of the squad for the Uruguay series but was surprisingly used as a replacement. Peterson is a regular starter in the English Premiership.
6 – Ben Landry (Seattle Seawolves) Traveled to Japan as part of the World Cup squad but hasn’t played for the Eagles since. Ended a self-imposed exile halfway through the MLR season and started to show a return to form towards the end of the campaign with the Seawolves.
7 – Psalm Wooching (Rouen Normandie) Part of the touring squad in July but took up his first European contract and was not in the squad for the Qualifiers. Southland captain Tony Lamborn does not appear to be available for the Eagles at the moment, though at the age of 30 a return can’t be entirely ruled out.
8 – Malon Al-Jiboori (Ealing Trailfinders) Plays on the side of the scrum in the Championship but is at home across the back row. Al-Jiboori is another World Cup select who has not been in the squad since. Uncapped Rugby ATL standout Jason Damm is recovering from a serious knee injury.
9 – Ruben de Haas (Saracens) Started all six tests this season prior to the game against New Zealand. Will soon add a Premiership debut to his Currie Cup, Super Rugby, and MLR appearances.
10 – AJ MacGinty (Sale Sharks) The captain has had terrible luck with injury this season. Recovered from a knee problem to lead the Eagles to victory against Canada, but a knock on the shoulder ruled him out of the Uruguay series.
11 – Gannon Moore (Silverdale) Narrowly missed out on World Cup selection and then was a surprise recall to the extended squad for the July tests though he did not ultimately feature. Currently playing club rugby in New Zealand.
12 – Paul Lasike (Harlequins) A torn Achilles suffered in June ruled one of the team’s best ball carriers out for the year. Sadly missed out on an opportunity to play a test against his countrymen.
13 – Marcel Brache (Austin Gilgronis) Injured in the first half of the second test against Uruguay. Has filled in at fullback but is more often seen in the midfield for the Eagles. Brache’s Super Rugby experience was missed in the backline.
14 – Mike Te’o (Utah Warriors) MLR’s Player of the Year pulled out of Eagles contention for the Qualifiers and left the wing spot open for newcomers Christian Dyer and Ryan James. After a red-hot start to the year his form dipped on the July tour but at his best he remains one of the USA’s most potent attackers.
15 – Dylan Audsley (San Diego Legion) Missed out on the World Cup due to injury and suffered a lower leg break while playing against Utah in the MLR season. It might have been tempting to pick a fit-again JP Eloff but the NOLA star has only just recovered from a long-term absence after knee surgery.
