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Men's Selects lineup announced for Americas Pacific Challenge finale with Argentina XV

MONTEVIDEO, URU. – Head Coach Scott Lawrence has named his match-day 23 for the Men’s Selects final contest of the Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 against reigning champion Argentina XV tomorrow (Sun, Oct. 14) at 12:30 PM ET.

The lineup will feature four changes to the starting squad. Matt Jensen suits up at lock for Brendan Daly who takes over at number 8 for Hanco Germishuys. Nick Boyer is in for Devereaux Ferris at scrumhalf and Mika Kruse pops into center for Anthony Salaber.

USA currently sit at fifth in the tournament standings, following an opening loss to Tonga A and last week’s loss to Uruguay XV who came equipped with its senior side. Argentina XV sit in third-place following its own opening loss to Samoa A and last week’s victory against Canada A.

“We’ve had a couple of physical games so far and enjoyed the contest against a full test team from Uruguay,” said Head Coach Scott Lawrence. “Tomorrow is the final opportunity for many of the men to be seen for November and the Americas Rugby Championship 2019. To put their hands up we’ll need to play with energy, intensity and speed. We’re looking for senior team men who can continue to deliver game after game in extended tours.”

Tomorrow’s match will conclude the Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 with the USA having exposed a considerable allotment of new players to the rigors of international competition.

The game kicks off at 12:30 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.

USA Men’s Selects Roster | vs Argentina XV

Player Name Position Current Club Points Scored in Americas Pacific Challenge 2018
1. Chance Wenglewski Prop Lindenwood University  
2. Alex Maughan Hooker Life University  
3. John Hayden Prop unattached  
4. Matt Jensen Lock Utah Warriors  
5. Nate Brakeley Lock New York Athletic / Rugby United New York  
6. Psalm Wooching Flanker unattached  
7. Vili Toluta’u Flanker Seattle Seawolves Try vs Tonga A
8. Brendan Daly No. 8 San Francisco Golden Gate Try vs Tonga A
9. Nick Boyer Scrumhalf San Diego Legion  
10. JP Eloff Flyhalf NOLA Gold  
11. Ryan Matyas Wing San Diego Legion Try vs Uruguay XV
12. Dylan Audsley Center San Diego Legion • Conversions vs Tonga A (3)
• Penalties vs Tonga A (3)
• Try vs Uruguay XV
• Conversion vs Uruguay XV
• Penalties vs Uruguay XV (2)
13. Mika Kruse Center Glendale Raptors  
14. Tim Maupin Wing NOLA Gold Try vs Tonga A
15. Conor Kearns (C) Fullback San Diego Legion

USA Men’s Selects Reserves 

Player name Position Current Club Points Scored in Americas Pacific Challenge 2018
16. Pat O’Toole Reserve unattached  
17. Kelepi Fifita Reserve Glendale Raptors  
18. Cam Falcon Reserve NOLA Gold  
19. Taylor Krumrei Reserve Seattle Seawolves  
20. Thomas Robles Reserve unattached  
21. Devereaux Ferris Reserve Life West Gladiators  
22. Anthony Salaber Reserve San Diego Legion  
23. Zach Young Reserve Arkansas State

USA Men’s Selects Staff

Head Coach | Scott Lawrence
Assistant Coach | David Williams
Assistant Coach | Scott Murray
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Marc Kowalsky
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Santiago Aguirre
Team Manager & Operations | Kevin McCorry II

Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 Schedule

Montevideo, Uruguay

vs Tonga A – 39-30 (L)

vs Uruguay XV – 33-18 (L)

vs Argentina XV
Sun, Oct. 14 – 12:30 PM ET

*Schedule subject to change; all matches LIVE on FloRugby.

Men's Selects named for battle with Uruguay XV

MONTEVIDEO, URU. – The Men’s Selects are set for the second match of the Americas Pacific Challenge (APC) 2018 against Uruguay XV this Wednesday, Oct. 10 at 12:30 PM ET.

With five changes to the starting lineup and four days to regroup, Head Coach Scott Lawrence and his team are in position to build on the positives from their last performance and reduce the defensive mistakes which led to a 39-30 loss to Tonga A.

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The starting group selected will feature all three point scorers from the Selects’ aforementioned matchup with Tonga. Dylan Audsley and Tim Maupin will both return to their starting positions, while Brendan Daly shifts to lock and Vili Toluta’u takes his place at flanker. Audsley’s skillful kicking accounted for half of the Selects’ total points in Game One, with Maupin, Daly and Toluta’u tries banking in the other 15 points.

With Daly in at lock and Toluta’au in at flanker, Taylor Krumrei goes to the bench and Hanco Germishuys will wear the No. 8 jersey.

Captain Conor Kearns will slot into the fullback position, allowing JP Eloff to get the start at flyhalf and placing Mitch Wilson with the reserves. Ryan Matyas will suit up at wing for Mika Kruse and Devereaux Ferris will takeover at scrumhalf for Nick Boyer.

Alongside the five changes to starting XV, Cam Falcon, Thomas Robles and Holden Yungert will all have an opportunity to get their first taste in the Americas Pacific Challenge.

“Sometimes we need to be grateful for losses as they bring us back to focus on the simple things that can bring us results,” said Head Coach Scott Lawrence.  

As a whole, the Men’s Selects showed promise in their opening game against Tonga A. The U.S. side displayed an early strength at the set piece, claimed multiple turnovers and continued to threaten until the final minutes of the game. Though penalties were an ultimate detriment, the adjustments made to the starting lineup, coupled with the four days of recuperation and focus give the United States every opportunity to make a blistering comeback against Uruguay XV.

The match kicks off at 12:30 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.

Men’s Selects Starting Roster | vs Uruguay XV 

Player Name Position Current Club Points Scored in Americas Pacific Challenge 2018
1. Chance Wenglewski Prop Lindenwood University
2. Alex Maughan Hooker Life University
3. John Hayden Prop unattached
4. Brendan Daly Lock San Francisco Golden Gate Try vs Tonga A
5. Nate Brakeley Lock New York Athletic /Rugby United New York
6. Psalm Wooching Flanker unattached
7. Vili Toluta’u Flanker Seattle Seawolves Try vs Tonga A
8. Hanco Germishuys No. 8 Austin Elite
9. Devereaux Ferris Scrumhalf Life West Gladiators
10. JP Eloff Flyhalf NOLA Gold
11. Ryan Matyas Wing San Diego Legion
12. Anthony Salaber Center San Diego Legion
13. Dylan Audsley Center San Diego Legion Conversions vs Tonga A (3)
Penalties vs Tonga A (3)
14. Tim Maupin Wing NOLA Gold Try vs Tonga A
15. Conor Kearns (C) Fullback San Diego Legion 

Men’s Selects Reserves 

Player name Position Current Club Points Scored in Americas Pacific Challenge 2018
16. Pat O’Toole Reserve unattached
17. Angus MacLellan Reserve Utah Warriors
18. Cam Falcon Reserve NOLA Gold
19. Taylor Krumrei Reserve Seattle Seawolves
20. Matt Jensen Reserve Utah Warriors
21. Thomas Robles Reserve unattached
22. Holden Yungert Reserve NOLA Gold
23. Mitch Wilson Reserve Life University

USA Men’s Selects Staff

Head Coach | Scott Lawrence
Assistant Coach | David Williams
Assistant Coach | Scott Murray
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Marc Kowalsky
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Santiago Aguirre
Team Manager & Operations | Kevin McCorry II

 

Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 Schedule

Montevideo, Uruguay

vs Tonga A – 39-30 (L)

vs Uruguay XV
Wed, Oct. 10 – 12:30 PM ET

vs Argentina XV
Sun, Oct. 14 – 12:30 PM ET

*Schedule subject to change; all matches LIVE on FloRugby.

Men's Selects drop Match One of Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 to Tonga A, 39-30

MONTEVIDEO, URU. – The USA Men’s Selects have fallen 39-30 to Tonga A in their first match of the World Rugby Americas Pacific Challenge 2018. The back and forth scoring affair saw both teams struggle with penalties and possession, as Tonga A capitalized on two back-to-back final tries and one match-winning penalty to seal the victory. 

“Life’s best lessons are always hard earned. Leaking 17 points in the last 8 is as good of a hard-earned lesson as you can get. On the upside, a few men now understand what it takes to play internationally in terms of consistent focus and intensity,” said Head Coach Scott Lawrence.   

“We’ll take our time, rest, recover and do a review of where we can be better; make a few changes to bring some energy into the side and work to build improved connections and accuracy.”

Penalties were rampant for both teams in different ways where the United States had trouble at the breakdown, drawing three in the first 10 minutes of play, Tonga A made a number of high tackles. For the most part, the Selects were strong at the set piece but missed multiple tackles that allowed their opposition to run away with wide open breakaway tries. Tonga quickly learned to read defensive miscues from the USA to match physicality with precision for nine unanswered points. 

Though it was Tonga A who concluded the match on the right side of the scoreboard, the U.S. continued to threaten throughout the game, particularly with a dominant first half of possession.  In fact, for the first 20-minutes of the contest, neither team was able to win a try. USA’s Dylan Audsley came closest with a tackle that pushed him over the line less than 10 minutes in, but the match referee didn’t award the score noting that Audsley failed to touch down. 

The valiant effort was a clear indication of a mostly dominant performance by the USA. Taking advantage of messy offloads from the Tongan side allowed the Selects to keep their opponent from crossing the gain line for a majority of the half. As the game intensified, Tonga’s Tuineau was called for a high tackle on Chance Wenglewski, paving the way for Audsley to launch three points through the posts for a brief lead. 

The penalty points erupted a momentum in both teams that saw the next 60 minutes of play filled with action. 

A poor USA lineout allowed Tonga to attack past the U.S. 22, breaking the gain line for the first time in the game where John Ika leaped into open space and scored, 7-3. Five minutes and a missed Tongan penalty kick went by, and Brendan Daly put the Selects back on board with a try of his own, converted by Audsley, 7-10. 

Audsley made another penalty kick and Tonga answered with another try leading both teams into halftime with a 17-13 Tongan lead. 

The second half was somewhat a duplication of the penalties and high tackles sustained in the first, with possession spread more evenly across the pitch. By this point both teams had identified a weakness in the other: USA was still winning many turnovers; while Tonga A continued to exploit the U.S. breakdown. 

Men’s Selects’ Tim Maupin opened the half with a try bringing the United States up to 17-20 at the 45-minute mark. Then, missed tackles allowed the Tongans to break deep past the gain line with John Ika once again jumping over a U.S. defender to bring his side up 22-20. 

Tim Maupin followed again minutes later by intercepting an offload and breaking three tackles to keep the ball moving. Captain Conor Kearns helped the attack move forward but play was stopped on another high tackle, turning what could have been a score to a made penalty by Audsley, 22-23. 

Selects’ Ryan Matyas made up for it shortly after, however, with a brilliant response to the Tongan kick-chase that saw him offload to Hanco Germishuys on the wing. Germishuys broke two tackles — charging forward — and tossed to Vili Toluta’u who dove in for the converted score, 22-30. 

USA had almost regained all the momentum until the match referee called a knock on by Devereaux Ferris. The Tongans won the ensuing scrum, punishing U.S. on missed tackles by running away with two consecutive tries, 36-30. There was still enough time for the Men’s Selects to buckle down and bring play back to their side but a final penalty allowed Tonga to make a crucial kick and win the game at 39-30. 

The loss was an undoubted disappointment to an American side that showed considerable promise amongst some damaging mistakes. Until the very end, the U.S. continued to keep the Tongans on their feet, building momentum on the scoreboard to keep the match within grasp for a majority of the 80 minutes. While miscues ultimately proved costly, the Men’s Selects will have a short four days to focus on their defensive strategy before taking on home team Uruguay XV on Wednesday at 12:30 PM ET. 

The game will be streamed LIVE on FloRugby

Men’s Selects Starters 

1. Chance Wenglewski
2. Alex Maughan
3. John Hayden
4. Nate Brakeley
5. Taylor Krumrei
6. Psalm Wooching
7. Hanco Germishuys
8. Brendan Daly
9. Nick Boyer
10. Conor Kearns (C)
11. Mika Kruse 
12. Anthony Salaber
13. Dylan Audsley 
14. Tim Maupin 
15. Mitch Wilson 

Men’s Selects Reserves

43′ | Ryan Matyas for Mika Kruse 
53′ | Angus MacLellan for John Hayden 
53′ | Devereaux Ferris for Nick Boyer 
61′ | Pat O’Toole for Alex Maughan 
62′ | Vili Toluta’u for Psalm Wooching 
67′ | JP Eloff for Mitch Wilson

Tries: Tim Maupin, Brendan Daly, Vili Toluta’u 
Conversions: Dylan Audsley (3)
Penalties: Dylan Audsley (3) 

View World Rugby Match Details

Men's Selects name starting roster to face Tonga A in Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 opener

MONTEVIDEO, URU.- Men’s Selects’ Head Coach Scott Lawrence has named his matchday 23 to face Tonga A this Saturday at 12:30 PM ET in the opening match of the Americas Pacific Challenge (APC) 2018, LIVE on FloRugby.

The full team will consist of 11 capped Men’s Eagles, 10 returners from the 2017 tournament, three 2018 First Team Men’s Collegiate All-Americans and three recent collegiate or professional rugby champions.

The developmental tournament will feature six teams all gunning heavily to expose new waves of players to international competition ahead of Rugby World Cup Japan 2019. With less than one year until the World Cup and just weeks from final selections for the November Internationals, athletes from all sides will be heavily focused on delivering standout performances.

[su_attention url=”http://bit.ly/2PchasK” text=”Watch LIVE on FloRugby”]

“We’ve had a focused few days together and it’s been encouraging to see the men self-organize. We know tomorrow’s match with Tonga A will be well-contested and are looking forward to putting the week’s hard work into action,” said Head Coach Scott Lawrence.

Leading the team as Captain is San Diego Legion’s Conor Kearns who will make his first-ever appearance with the Men’s Selects. Kearns is no stranger to the USA Rugby pathway having earned All-American honors at both the Junior and Collegiate levels in 2013 and 2016, respectively. His experience competing at the professional level with Major League Rugby coupled with his international appearances from previous All-American tours will undoubtedly be a benefit to the entire playing group.

Kearns is joined by 2018 Collegiate All-Americans Chance Wenglewski, Alex Maughan and Mitch Wilson. Maughan and Wilson both own 2018 D1A National Championships with Life University and played in the 2017 tournament.

Capped Eagle Psalm Wooching will feature on Saturday after last joining the Men’s National Team for the Americas Rugby Championship 2018. Wooching’s APC appearance is a valuable stepping stone for his return to the senior international stage, having spent the last several months recovering from injury.

Men’s Eagle Angus Mclellan also joins the Selects after Olive Kilifi was held out of consideration due to injury. Maclellan appeared at both the 2016 and 2017 iterations of the APC.

The Men’s Selects finished last year’s tournament in second-place while Tonga A came in third. After Saturday, the Selects will face Uruguay XV on Oct. 10 before closing out the Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 with reigning champion Argentina XV on Oct. 14. All three games will kickoff at 12:30 PM ET and be streamed LIVE on FloRugby.

Men’s Selects Starting Roster 

Player Name Position Current Club Notes
1. Chance Wenglewski Prop Lindenwood University • 2018 First Team Collegiate All-American
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge
2. Alex Maughan Hooker Life University • 2018 First Team Collegiate All-American
• 2018 D1A National Champion
• Capped Men’s Eagle 
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge
3. John Hayden Prop Unattached
4. Nate Brakeley Lock New York Athletic/ Rugby United New York • Capped Men’s Eagle
5. Taylor Krumrei Lock Seattle Seawolves • 2018 Major League Rugby Champion
6. Psalm Wooching Flanker Unattached • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge
7. Hanco Germishuys Flanker Austin Elite • Capped Men’s Eagle
8. Brendan Daly No. 8 San Francisco Golden Gate • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge 
9. Nick Boyer Scrumhalf San Diego Legion • Has appeared on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
10. Conor Kearns (C) Flyhalf San Diego Legion
11. Mika Kruse Wing Glendale Raptors
12. Anthony Salaber Center San Diego Legion
13. Dylan Audsley Center San Diego Legion • Capped Men’s Eagle
14. Tim Maupin Wing NOLA Gold • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge 
15. Mitch Wilson Fullback Life University • 2018 First Team Collegiate All-American
• 2018 D1A National Champion
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge

Men’s Selects Reserves 

Player Position Current Club Notes
16. Pat O’Toole Reserve San Diego Legion
17. Kelepi Fifita Reserve Glendale Raptors • 2017 America’s Pacific Challenge
18. Angus Mclellan Reserve Utah Warriors • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge
19. Matt Jensen Reserve Utah Warriors • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge
20. Vili Toluta’u Reserve Seattle Seawolves • 2018 Major League Rugby Champion
21. Devereaux Ferris Reserve Life West Gladiators
22. JP Eloff Reserve NOLA Gold • Capped Men’s Eagle
• 2017 Americas Pacific Challenge 
23. Ryan Matyas Reserve San Diego Legion • Capped Men’s Eagle

USA Men’s Selects Staff

Head Coach | Scott Lawrence
Assistant Coach | David Williams
Assistant Coach | Scott Murray
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Marc Kowalsky
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Santiago Aguirre
Team Manager & Operations | Kevin McCorry II

Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 Schedule

Montevideo, Uruguay

vs Tonga A
Sat, Oct. 6 – 12:30 PM ET

vs Uruguay XV
Wed, Oct. 10 – 12:30 PM ET

vs Argentina XV
Sun, Oct. 14 – 12:30 PM ET

*Schedule subject to change; all matches LIVE on FloRugby.

Men's Selects roster announced for Americas Pacific Challenge 2018

UPDATE 9/28 Harry Bennett replaced Tadgh Leader. Kapeli Pifeleti was added. Changes reflected below. 
UPDATE 10/4 Angus Maclellan replaces Olive Kilifi due to injury. Changes reflected below. 

LAFAYETTE, CO. – Head Coach Scott Lawrence has named his 28 Men’s Selects (15s) for the Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 (APC), taking place Oct. 6-14 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Of the 27 athletes selected, nine return from the 2017 tournament, 12 are capped Men’s National Team players and three are 2018 1st Team All-Americans (15s) named from the recent Men’s Collegiate All-American Selection Camp. Together, the Selects will face Tonga A, Uruguay XV and reigning two-time champion Argentina XV as they strive to topple their runner-up finish from the previous year.

Broadcast information for the 6-team Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 will be announced closer to date.

“The makeup of this year’s touring squad is an exciting evolution leading into a World Cup year,” said Head Coach Scott Lawrence. “Not only are there a handful of current Eagles that we’re looking to build cohesion with, there are also a number of new Major League Rugby and Varsity collegiate athletes that have the film and the metrics to back up their inclusion.”

The Men’s Selects bring an accomplished group of players to the developmental tournament; allowing emerging talent to learn both from the structure of the competition and their peers. The 2017 tournament itself saw three Selects move on to become capped Men’s National Team players.

Among them, are none other than Psalm Wooching and Brendan Daly who will both feature again this October.

Men’s Eagle Hanco Germishuys joins the two, as well, having scored an instrumental try in the United States’ June upset over then No. 6 Scotland. Germishuys also appeared at last year’s APC, having already earned his first cap.

Experience and new flair combine with the addition of three of this year’s 1st Team Men’s Collegiate All-Americans (MCAAs), including Alex Maughan, Chance Wenglewski, and Mitch Wilson. Maughan represents both the capped Eagle and All-American sides of the squad.

The Men’s Selects will begin training camp for the third annual Americas Pacific Challenge later this month, adapting to the warm climate in Fort Lauderdale as a key part of preparation.

The 6-team tournament — which also includes Canada A and Samoa A — will begin on Oct. 6 with the U.S. facing Tonga A at 12:30 PM ET. Uruguay XV and Argentina XV will follow, after which the team with the most points in the first-past-the-post competition will be named champion.

 

2018 USA Men’s Selects Roster

Player Name Position Club Notes
Dylan Audsley Center San Diego Legion Men’s Eagle
Harry Bennett Flyhalf  New York Athletic
Nick Boyer Scrumhalf San Diego Legion  
Nate Brakeley Lock New York Athletic Men’s Eagle
Brendan Daly Flanker San Francisco Golden Gate Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
JP Eloff Center NOLA Gold Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
Cam Falcon Hooker NOLA Gold  
Devereaux Ferris Scrumhalf Life West Gladiators  
Kelepi Fifita Prop Glendale Raptors  2017 APC
Hanco Germishuys Flanker Austin Elite Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
John Hayden Prop unattached  
Matt Jensen Lock Utah Warriors Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
Conor Kearns Flyhalf San Diego Legion  
Olive Kilifi Prop Seattle Seawolves Men’s Eagle
Taylor Krumrei Lock Seattle Seawolves  
Mika Kruse Center Glendale Raptors  
Angus Maclellan Prop Utah Warriors Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
Ryan Matyas Wing San Diego Legion Men’s Eagle
Alex Maughan Hooker Life University

Men’s Eagle; 1st Team All-American;
2017 APC

Tim Maupin Wing NOLA Gold Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
Pat O’Toole Hooker San Diego Legion  
Kapeli Pifeleti Hooker Saracens Academy 
Thomas Robles No. 8 unattached  
Anthony Salaber Center San Diego Legion  
Vili Toluta’u Flanker Seattle Seawolves Men’s Eagle
Chance Wenglewski Prop Lindenwood University 1st Team Collegiate All-American;
2017 APC
Mitch Wilson Fullback Life University 1st Team Collegiate All-American;
2017 APC
Psalm Wooching Flanker unattached Men’s Eagle; 2017 APC
Holden Yungert Scrumhalf NOLA Gold 2017 APC

USA Men’s Selects Staff

Head Coach | Scott Lawrence
Assistant Coach | David Williams
Assistant Coach | Blake Bradford
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Marc Kowalsky
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Santiago Aguirre
Team Manager & Operations | Kevin McCorry II

Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 Schedule

Montevideo, Uruguay

vs Tonga A
Sat, Oct. 6 – 12:30 PM ET

vs Uruguay XV
Wed, Oct. 10 – 12:30 PM ET

vs Argentina XV
Sun, Oct. 14 – 12:30 PM ET

*Schedule subject to change; broadcast information confirmed closer to date.