January 14, 2016
USA Rugby Junior All-American Camp
Logo: USA Rugby All-Americans
The USA Rugby AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Camp for the upcoming World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifier against Canada begins Friday, Jan. 15, at Lindenwood University.
Interim Head Coach JD Stephenson and Lindenwood Rugby’s Director of Rugby and his staff will conduct the camp in preparation for the February 13 match with Canada’s U20 side. The winner of the one-off playoff will represent North America in the U20 Trophy in Zimbabwe.
A Camp was held last month and invitations were sent out for this vamp based on performance. Some notable absences from that camp return to this camp. This includes, Ben Cima, Hanco Germishuys, Nick Kwasniewski and Darien Pickett.
“The interim work between assemblies has focused on player and team development of those identified in the process and the implementation of our systems, policies, and practices, of which the foundation was laid in the December Camp,” Stephenson said. “This has been carried out through weekly Skype calls, email and phone discussions with unit-specific groups, and the availability of our online resources to the playing group as a whole.”
“When we discuss the buy-in of players and coaches alike to the All-American program, those involved understand the strain that the absence from school can place on their academics and their respective rugby program’s cohesion,” Stephenson said. “In the two upcoming assemblies, we have been sure to build in study halls and utilize tutors for the players to ease the burden on their academics and try not to overwhelm them mentally during the assembly process to avoid player burnout when they head back to their program.
“We are extremely grateful to the programs that assist in the identification process of players and put forward players. We hope that we can continue to add value to that player through continued development on and off the pitch and the ability to represent their country at the highest age-grade level.”
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans
| Name | School/Club | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Malon Al-Jiboori | Lindenwood University | Flanker |
| Steven Branham | University of Arizona | Hooker |
| Benjamin Cima | University of Maryland, Men, 15s | Fly half |
| Sean Coleman | University of Arizona | Lock |
| Brian Collins | Flanker | |
| Connor Cudeback | Cal Poly State University, Men, 15s | Prop |
| Ruben de Haas | Little Rock Junior Stormers | Scrum half |
| Brennan Falcon | Louisiana State University | Flanker |
| Jacobus Germishuys | Glendale Raptors | Flanker |
| Rodney Giles | Fly half | |
| Zach Haley | Metropolis | Hooker |
| Brian Hannon | University of Arizona | Fly half |
| Dan Hostetler | University of Cardiff, Wales | Hooker |
| Jihad Khabir | American International College | Fly half |
| Nick Kwasniewski | Grand Canyon University | Prop |
| Siaso Mahoni | Life West | Lock |
| Deion Mikesell | Lindenwood University | Wing |
| Blake Nicholas | Sacramento Rugby | Lock |
| Mason Pedersen | University of Arizona | Prop |
| Darien Pickett | Grand Canyon University | Prop |
| Hayden Potgieter | Santa Barbara City College | Fly half |
| Roman Salanoa | Kahuku High School | Prop |
| Will Ben Sims | Trinity College Dublin | Center |
| Tyler Sousley | University of Arizona | Wing |
| Austin Taefu | Tempe Old Devils | Scrum half |
| Veuki Taumefolau | Las Vegas Irish | Number 8 |
| Lorenzo Thomas | Lindenwood University | Center |
| Joeli Tikoisuva | Metropolis | Wing |
| Duncan Van Schalkwyk | Life University | Fly half |
| Joshua Warnock | Pennisula Green | Lock |
| Chance Wenglewski | Lindenwood University | Prop |
| Mitchell Wilson | Life University | Full back |
| Will Fifita | Rocky Mountain Rebels Rugby 7s | Center |
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans | Coaching Staff
JD Stephenson – Interim Head Coach
Justin Goonan – Strength and Conditioning & Skills Coach
Pete Borlase – Forwards Coach
James Walton – Video Analyst
Michael Engelbrecht – Backs Coach & Manager
David Fee – Skills Coach
Kevin Battle – Skills Coach & Academy Manager
