June 12, 2017
Junior All-Americans & Canada U20 Squads for Junior World Trophy Qualifier
Doug Coil
The North American qualifier series to determine the North American entry to the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament will take place at Ellerslie Rugby Park, 9pm ET, 6pm PT in Edmonton on June 13 and conclude on June 16 at the same location at 2pm ET, 11am PT. The matches will be streamed on the Rugby Canada Facebook page.
This year’s series could go down to the wire like last yearwhen the USA won 19-18 on an 80th minute penalty by Ben Cima in Texas.
Head coach JD Stephenson starting line-up for tomorrow’s first leg of the Junior All-Americans qualifying series against Canada will have Malon Al-Jiboori captaining the side. With the tournament taking place later in the year than usual Stephenson will be able to field a stronger side of college and club players.
Returning from last year’s MJAA team that finished fifth at the U20 Trophy in Zimbabwe are Lorenzo Thomas, a capped Eagles, Malon Al-Jiboori, who was selected to represent the U.S. on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series this year, and Deion Mikesell.
Ruben de Haas played for the MJAAs Developmental squad. Quinn Perry and Bailey Wilson played for the U19 team and the Boys HS All-Americans. Christian Dyer and Jack Iscaro have also represented the BHSAAs, while Deven Marshall and Brian Nault have been of age grade teams.
Nineteen members of the expanded 28 player squad have played D1A Rugby.
USA Junior All-Americans
Forwards: Chance Wenglewski, Jack Iscaro, Jake Jorstad, Daemon Torres, Deven Marshall, Malon Al-Jiboori (C), Nafi Maafu, Brian Nault
Backs: Ruben De Haas, Sam Walsh, Harley Wheeler, Aaron Matthews, Lorenzo Thomas, Jaret Williamson, Cristian Rodriguez
Reserves: Martin Keuchkerian, Jordan Crofts, Payton Telea, Tommy Clark, Justin Johnson, Eamonn Mathhews, Christian Dyler, Peter Howard
Canada’s Head Coach Jeff Williams 23 man squad for June 13 features three returnees from last year’s squad in George Barton, Matt Beukeboom and Connor Sampson.
The team features numerous players with international age-grade and senior experience in Thomas Davidson, Liam Doll, Elias Ergas, Aaron Hersant, Fraser Hurst, Will Kelly, Aidan McMullan, Jamie McNaughton, Jack McRogers, Liam Murray, Steven Ng, Quinn Ngawati, Anton Ngongo, James O’Neill, William McDougall-Percillier, Brennig Prevost, Jake Thiel and Josh Thiel.
Three players have been capped for Canada’s Senior National team. Clermont Auvergne midfielder George Barton was capped at Round Rock, Texas in the 2017 Americas Rugby Championship, while Cole Keith also earned two test caps there, while Matt Beukeboom has three test caps.
Forwards
Nick Frost (UBC Thunderbirds), Cole Keith (James Bay), Dewald Kotze (UBCOB Ravens), Liam Murray (Langley), Connor Sampson (UBC Thunderbirds), Jack McRogers (Aurora Barbarians), Steven Ng (Capilano), Matt Beukeboom (Pau, FR), Thomas Davidson (Toronto Scottish), Liam Doll (UBC Thunderbirds), Jamie McNaughton (McMaster Marauders), Lachlan Currie (Bond University, AU), Aidan McCleary (Westshore), James O’Neill (UVic Vikes), Carson O’Sullivan (UVic Vikes), Jake Thiel (Abbotsford)
Backs
Fraser Hurst (UBC Thunderbirds), William McDougall-Percillier (Cowichan), Will Kelly (Brantford Harlequins), Brennig Prevost (UVic Vikes), George Barton (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Quinn Ngawati (Westshore), Josh Thiel (Bishop Burton College), Cole Davis (Canberra Royals, AU), Elias Ergas (UBC Thunderbirds), Anton Ngongo (Castaway Wanderers), Aaron Hersant (UVic Vikes), Aidan McMullan (SABRFC)
