Men's Eagles name starting lineup for test match with Samoa
[su_news_update date=”11/10″ newsupdate=”John Quill out due to injury; Hanco Germishuys suits up at flanker; Psalm Wooching jumps in as reserve.”]
SAN SEBASTIAN, ESP. – Head Coach Gary Gold has named his side for the Men’s Eagles first test match of November with No. 16 Samoa this Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12:30 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.
The match-day 23 will feature several recognizable names who were made available after joining the squad from their professional setups overseas.
Among them are hooker Joe Taufete’e and prop Titi Lamositele who rejoin the forward pack. The backs are complemented by the return of Bryce Campbell and Paul Lasike who move in at center with Captain Blaine Scully jumping in at fullback.
Taking the pitch beside Captain Scully will be newcomer and wing Gannon Moore. Moore will earn his first cap as part of the starting XV.
Lock Greg Peterson and scrumhalf Ruben de Haas will both earn the start as well after competing as reserves last week in the Eagles loss to the Maori All Blacks.
De Haas jumps in for Shaun Davies who continues recovery following HIA protocol after being removed from the aforementioned battle with the Maori. Davis will support the squad from the sideline with the hope of being available for selection next week.
The starting XV will have a band of Eagles ready to energize the squad as reserves, including Tim Maupin who’s impressive try against the Maori dazzled audiences in Chicago.
With Maupin are newcomers David Ainuu, Devereaux Ferris and the much anticipated return of David Tameilau. Tameilau last competed with the Eagles in July of 2017 while Ainuu and Ferris have the chance to earn their first caps.
“We’ve been heavily focused this week on maintaining our energy as a group and fine-tuning the areas that we know are our strengths,” said Head Coach Gary Gold. “We’re disappointed in how we conceded some soft tries against the Maori; but nevertheless, we have thoroughly evaluated our performance and look ahead to Samoa with a renewed spirit. It is important for us that regardless of the situation, our guys are confident in their individual roles and can execute them effectively.”
The No. 15 Men’s Eagles last faced Samoa in a hotly contested battle at Rugby World Cup 2015 where the Samoans prevailed 16-25. While the opposing side may own all five wins in matches contested with the United States men, the Eagles have made significant improvements over the years.
Where they held an overall record of 1-8 in 2015, the Men’s National Team is currently 7-0 in test matches and 8-1 in games overall this year. With their loss to the Maori All Blacks now behind them, the team looks ahead to meeting the Samoans this Saturday.
With USA and Samoa qualified for Rugby World Cup Japan 2019, there is no doubt the battle ahead will bring a fierce energy from both sides.
U.S. Men’s National Team Starting Roster
*Updated 11/10
| Player Name | Position | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Titi Lamositele | Prop | Saracens (ENG) | 23 |
| 2. Joe Taufete’e | Hooker | Worcester Warriors (ENG) | 16 |
| 3. Paul Mullen | Prop | Newcastle Falcons (ENG) | 3 |
| 4. Greg Peterson | Lock | Glasgow Warriors (SCO) | 17 |
| 5. Nick Civetta | Lock | Doncaster Knights (ENG) | 15 |
| 6. Hanco Germishuys | Flanker | unattached | 8 |
| 7. Tony Lamborn | Flanker | Rugby Southland (NZL) | 16 |
| 8. Cam Dolan | No. 8 | NOLA Gold | 37 |
| 9. Ruben de Haas | Scrumhalf | Free State Cheetahs (RSA) | 4 |
| 10. Will Hooley | Flyhalf | Bedford Blues (ENG) | 4 |
| 11. Ryan Matyas | Wing | San Diego Legion | 10 |
| 12. Paul Lasike | Center | Harlequins (ENG) | 6 |
| 13. Bryce Campbell | Center | London Irish (ENG) | 18 |
| 14. Gannon Moore* | Wing | North Harbour Rugby (NZL) | 0 |
| 15. Blaine Scully (C) | Fullback | Cardiff Blues (WAL) | 40 |
U.S. Men’s National Team Reserves
*Updated 11/10
| Player Name | Position | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16. Dylan Fawsitt | Reserve | Old Blue New York / Rugby United New York | 5 |
| 17. David Ainuu* | Reserve | Toulouse Rugby (FRA) | 0 |
| 18. Dino Waldren | Reserve | London Scottish (ENG) | 12 |
| 19. David Tameilau | Reserve | Glasgow Warriors (SCO) | 9 |
| 20. Psalm Wooching | Reserve | unattached | 3 |
| 21. Devereaux Ferris* | Reserve | Life West Gladiators | 0 |
| 22. Will Magie | Reserve | Glendale Raptors | 16 |
| 23. Tim Maupin | Reserve | NOLA Gold | 7 |
U.S. Men’s National Team Staff
Head Coach | Gary Gold
Assistant Coach | Shawn Pittman
Assistant Coach | Greg McWilliams
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Kristen Douhan
Team Doctor | Matthew Schmitz (Samoa)
Team Doctor | Richard Kim (Romania & Ireland)
Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz (Samoa, Romania & Ireland)
Team Manager | Chris Hanson
Assistant Team Manager | Kevin McCorry
U.S. Men’s National Team Staff
vs Maori All Blacks | 22-59 (L)
vs Samoa
Sat, Nov. 10 | 12:30 PM ET
Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, ESP
vs Romania
Sat, Nov. 17 | 7 AM ET
Ghencea Stadium, Bucharest, ROU
vs Ireland
Sat, Nov. 24 | 1:30 PM ET
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, IRE
*Times subject to change.
