December 19, 2016
AIG MJAAs Developmental Team for Canada Series
Doug Coil
Article based on USA Rugby Release: December 19, 2016
The AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Developmental Team will have a two-match series during the holidays against Rugby Canada’s under-19 squad at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California on December 30, 2016 and January 2, 2017.
Head Coach JD Stephenson squad will consist of 34 athletes that satisfy the under 19 eligibility requirements instead of the usual under 20 ages.
Stephenson said that “This assembly is not only a great stop-gap for High School All-Americans preparing for collegiate rugby and young Junior All-Americans hoping to continue their age-grade careers, but builds on the continuity of the High Performance programs in a storied setting with Canada. The talent level of the country’s youth grows year to year, and this under-19 squad will further showcase the camaraderie and passion our young players have to represent their country.”
The squad draws heavily on the Boys High School All-Americans. With almost two thirds of the team having played for the BHSAAs, the USA Rugby pathway is working.
The squad has 18 Boys High School All-Americans from previous tours with most of the squad are BHSAA eligible, but participating with the MJAAs Developmental team rather than the BHSAA Winter Camp that is being held at the same time.
Salty Thompson’s influence will be felt, as 10 athletes were from the 2015 JV BHSAA Tour of Europe, while another 12 participated in the 2015 BHSAA Winter Camp.
Broadcast details for the two matches between the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Developmental Team and Canada will be announced closer to the assembly dates. More information can be found by following USA Rugby’s All-American Twitter account (@aarugby).
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Developmental Team – Canada U19 Series
Muhammad Abdullah – Trojans Rugby Club
David Ainuu – Liberty Patriots
Ben Broselle – Chuckanut Bay High School
Ruben De Haas – Little Rock Junior Stormers
Sean Dowling – Fort Hunt Warriors
Li’a Faletogo-Monis – Central Washington University
Maanaima Fualaau – Life Chiropractic College West
Calvin Gentry – Arkansas State University
Antonios Grigoriou – University of Arizona
Ryan James – San Diego Young Aztec Warriors
Justin Johnson – Life University
Tavite Lopeti – Life West
Sean Lumkong – Coastal Dragons
Nafitalai Maafu – Tempe Old Devils
Patrick Madden – San Diego Young Aztec Warriors
Sosefo Mailangi-Ray – Back Bay Sharks
William Mailau – Peninsula Green High School
Conor McManus – Fort Hunt Warriors
Jack Miller – University of Colorado
Jeremy Ockomichalak – Santa Monica Dolphins
Karem Odeh – Life University
Conner Pederson – Eastside Rugby Football Club Washington
Quinn Perry – Santa Monica Dolphins
Jonas Petrakopoulos – Royal Irish
Kelsin Pupunu – University of Utah
Campbell Robinson – Arkansas State University
Joseph Rusert-Cuddy – Palmer High School Terrors
Joshua Schnell – Katy Barbarians
Dillon Shotwell – Texas State University
Isaia Taotua – Danville Oaks
William Waguespack – University of Louisiana, Lafayette
Jack Walsh
Bailey Wilson – United Varsity Rugby
Marcos Young – Key Biscayne Rats
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans Developmental Team – Coaching Staff
JD Stephenson – Head Coach
Michael Engelbrecht – Defense Coach
Shawn Pittman – Forwards Coach
Justin Goonan – Head of Performance
James Walton – Video Analyst
Jimmy Harrison – Manager & Video Analyst
Rob Randell
Sean Dowling
Britney Schenck – Trainer
