June 16, 2017
MJAAs vs. Canada U20 Trophy Qualifier Ends Saturday
Photo: AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans
Doug Coil
The second leg of the World Trophy Qualifier with the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans facing Canada U20s will be on June 17 at Ellerslie Rugby Park with the kick off at 2pm ET. The match will once again be streamed live via Rugby Canada’s Facebook page. The winner of this qualifier will represent North America in Montevideo, Uruguay, in September.
The USA Rugby AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans will have a difficult time qualifying for the World Rugby U20 Trophy after Canada’s U20 team’s 46-12 win at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton Tuesday. Not only will the USA need to win on Saturday, but they will need to make up a 34 point deficit.
Read the Match One Recap!
USA: AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans
Head Coach JD Stephenson has made four changes to the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans’ starting XV for the second leg qualifier for the World Rugby U20 Trophy against Canada Saturday, June 17.
Following their 46-12 loss in the first match, they will need to win and make up a 34 point deficit. Tickets for the match are available for purchase via Rugby Canada’s events website. Tickets are for the combined Trophy match and the interternational test match between Canada and Romania. The Trophy match will be streamed live via Rugby Canada’s Facebook page for Saturday’s 2 p.m. ET kickoff.
Malon Al_jiboori will continue to captain the side at blindside flanker with Jack Miller joining him at openside flanker with Nafi Maafu moving to No. 8. Tommy Clark earns a start at lock with Daemon Torres switching sides at lock. In the front row, Chance Wenglewski switches to tighthead prop, with Payton Talea starting at loosehead prop with hooker Jack Iscaro retaining his postition.
The halfbacks remain unchanges with Ruben de Hass and Samuel Walsh. Their is a new wing combination of Peter Howard and Eagle Deion Mikesell. Harley Wheeler moves from wing to outside center with inside center, Christian Dyer and fullback Cristian Rodriguez retaining their positions.
The reserves include Eagle Lorenzo Thomas and Boys High School All-Americans captain Bailey Wilson.
Canada U20s
Canada’s men’s head coach Jeff Williams squad remains unchanged for Game 2 of the Junior World Rugby Trophy qualifier vs. USA Saturday.
Canada is in a strong position to claim the North America spot in the World Rugby Trophy U20 tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay in September as they have a 34-point advantage into Game 2 after a dominate 46-12 win in Game 1 Tuesday at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
The forwards will consist of Liam Murray, Dewald Kotze and Cole Keith at front row with Liam Doll and Matt Beukeboom at lock. Lachlan Currie will be the blindside flanker and partner with James O’Neill at openside flanker. Jake Thiel joins the backrow at No. 8.
The halfback combination of Fraser Hurst and Will Kelly was effective Tuesday, with Hurst earning Man of the Match honors ad Kelly kicking 11 points.
The centers will be Josh Thiel and captain George Barton and inside and outside, respectively with the backline of Elias Ergas and Anton Ngongo on the wings and Aidan McMullan at fullback.
Canada took a 19-12 lead into halftime before their attack exploded for 27 poits in the second half.
Match 2 Rosters – June 17
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans: 1. Payton Talea 2. Jack Iscaro 3. Chance Wenglewski 4. Tommy Clark 5. Daemon Torres 6. Malon Al-Jiboori (C) 7. Jack Miller 8. Nafi Maafu 9. Ruben de Haas 10. Samuel Walsh 11. Peter Howard 12. Christian Dyer 13. Harley Wheeler 14. Deion Mikesell 15. Cristian Rodriguez 16. Martin Keuchkerian 17. Brian Nault 18. Jake Jorstad 19. Bailey Wilson 20. Justin Johnson 21. Quinn Perry 22. Aaron Matthews 23. Lorenzo Thomas
AIG All-Americans Coaching Staff:
- JD Stephenson – Head Coach
- Rob Randell – Assistant Coach
- Colton Cariaga – Assistant Coach
- Chris Oosthuizen – Assistant Coach
- Justin Goonan – Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Jimmy Harrison – Analyst
- Alan Wallace – Physiotherapist
- Mike Elam – Manager
Canada: 1. Liam Murray 2. Dewald Kotze 3. Cole Keith 4. Liam Doll 5. Matt Beukeboom 6. Lachlan Currie 7. James O’Neill 8. Jake Thiel 9. Fraser Hurst 10. Will Kelly 11. Elias Ergas
12. Josh Thiel 13. George Barton (C) 14. Anton Ngongo 15. Aidan McMullan 16. Steven Ng
17. Connor Sampson 18. Nick Frost 19. Jamie McNaughton 20. Jack McRogers 21. Will Percillier 22. Brennig Prevost 23. Cole Davis
Canada U20 Canada Coaching Staff:
- Jeff Williams – Head Coach
- Dave Butcher – Assistant Coach
- Sean McDonaugh – Assistant Coach
- Kiyomi Thompson – Athletic Therapist
- Jeff Watson – S&C Coach
- Derek Pue – Analyst
- Alana Gattinger – Team Manager
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans – World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifiers
v. Canada – L 46-12
v. Canada – Saturday, June 17 @ 2 p.m. ET – Ellerslie Rugby Park (Edmonton, Alberta)
Match 1 Rosters: June 13
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans: 1. Chance Wenglewski 2. Jack Iscaro 3. Jake Jorstad 4. Daemon Torres 5. Deven Marshall 6. Malon Al-Jiboori (C) 7. Nafi Maafu 8. Brian Nault 9. Ruben De Haas 10. Samuel Walsh 11. Harley Wheeler 12. Aaron Matthews 13. Lorenzo Thomas 14. Jaret Williamson 15. Cristian Rodriguez 16. Martin Keuchkerian 17. Payton Telea 18. Jordan Crofts 19. Tommy Clark 20. Justin Johnson 21. Eamonn Matthews 22. Christian Dyer 23. Peter Howard
Canada: 1. Liam Murray 2. Dewald Kotze 3. Cole Keith 4. Liam Doll 5. Matt Beukeboom 6. Lachlan Currie 7. James O’Neill 8. Jake Thiel 9. Fraser Hurst 10. Will Kelly 11. Elias Ergas 12. Josh Thiel 13. George Barton (C) 14. Anton Ngongo 15. Aidan McMullan 16. Steven Ng 17. Connor Sampson 18. Nick Frost 19. Jamie McNaughton 20. Jack McRogers 21. Will Percillier 22. Brennig Prevost 23. Cole Davis
Match 1 Scoring
AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans 12
Tries: TDaemon Torres, Malon Al-Jiboori Conversions: Ruben De Haas
Canada 46
Tries: Matt Beukeboom, Anton Ngongo, Josh Thiel, Aidan McMullan, Fraser Hurst, Jamie McNaughton, Cole Davis Conversions: Will Kelly (4) Penalties: Will Kelly
