USA Rugby Men’s Eagles vs. Samoa Preview

USA Rugby Men’s Eagles Face Samoa

Updated Nov. 9th with Samoa squad.

Head Coach Gary Gold has made seven changes to his starting XV for the match against Samoa. The match falls within the November test window, so there is now access to the team’s European professionals for the three international tests. The Men’s Eagles face 16th ranked Samoa in their first test match of November this Saturday, Nov. 10 at 12:30 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.

The front row will include Joe Taufete’e at hooker and Titi Lamositele at loosehead prop. Greg Peterson moves in a lock. The backs will have Ruben de Haas at scrumhalf, as Shaun Davies is out with a concussion. Bryce Cambell and Paul Lasike have joined the team at center and Blaine Scully will be the fullback and captain.

Gannon Moore played center last week against the Maori All Blacks and will earn his first cap at wing this week.

Tim Maupin played well against the Maori All Black, scoring an impressive try, and will be ready in the reserves. Two reserves could earn their first cap in David Ainuu and Devereaux. David Tameilau, who last played with the Eagles in July 2017 also is ready to contribute.

The USA and Samoa have both qualified for the Rugby World Cup in Japan and both teams will engage in a fierce battle with ranking points at stake.

U.S. Men’s National Team Starting Roster

1. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens (ENG) 23
2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors (ENG) 16
3. Paul Mullen Prop Newcastle Falcons (ENG) 3
4. Greg Peterson Lock Glasgow Warriors (SCO) 17
5. Nick Civetta Lock Doncaster Knights (ENG) 15
6. John Quill Flanker Glendale Raptors 27
7. Tony Lamborn Flanker Rugby Southland (NZL) 16
8. Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 37
9. Ruben de Haas Scrumhalf Free State Cheetahs (RSA) 4
10. Will Hooley Flyhalf Bedford Blues (ENG) 4
11. Ryan Matyas Wing San Diego Legion 10
12. Paul Lasike Center Harlequins (ENG) 6
13. Bryce Campbell Center London Irish (ENG) 18
14. Gannon Moore* Wing North Harbour Rugby (NZL) 0
15. Blaine Scully (C) Fullback Cardiff Blues (WAL) 40

16. Dylan Fawsitt Reserve Old Blue New York / Rugby United New York 5
17. David Ainuu* Reserve Toulouse Rugby (FRA) 0
18. Dino Waldren Reserve London Scottish (ENG) 12
19. David Tameilau Reserve Glasgow Warriors (SCO) 9
20. Hanco Germishuys Reserve unattached 8
21. Devereaux Ferris* Reserve LifeWest Gladiators 0
22. Will Magie Reserve Glendale Raptors 16
23. Tim Maupin Reserve NOLA Gold 7

 

U.S. Men’s National Team Staff

Head Coach | Gary Gold
Assistant Coach | Shawn Pittman
Assistant Coach | Greg McWilliams
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Kristen Douhan
Team Doctor | Matthew Schmitz (Samoa)
Team Doctor | Richard Kim (Romania & Ireland)
Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz (Samoa, Romania & Ireland)
Team Manager | Chris Hanson
Assistant Team Manager | Kevin McCorry

Samoa

Samoa, ranked 16th, has named a veteran professional side with lock Kane Leaupepe, who plays with the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, debuting for the team. Four other reserves could gain their first cap if they enter the match. They include Ray Niuia, Ben Nee-Nee, Iakopp Petelo-Mapu, and Stacey Ili.

Veteran Tusi Pisi is a very accurate kicker and will make the opposition pay for infractions.

Samoa: 1 Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle Falcons) 2 Motu Matu’u (London Irish) 3 Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francaise) 4 Kane Leaupepe* (Bay of Plenty 5 Filo Paulo (London Irish) 6 Josh Tyrell (Doncaster) 7 Jack Lam (Captain, Bristol Rugby Club) 8 Fafili Levave (Auckland) 9 Melani Matavao (Otago) 10 Tusi Pisi (Bristol) 11 JJ Taulagi (Hawkes Bay) 12 Alapati Leiua (Bristol) 13 Lee-Lo Rey (Cardiff Blues) 14 Ed Fidow (Aix Marseille) 15 Ah See Tuala (Northampton) 16 Ray Niuia* (North Harbour) 17 Jordan Lay (Bristol) 18 James Lay (Bay of Plenty) 19 Ben Nee-Nee* (North Harbour) 20 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu* (Aana Chiefs – Samoa) 21 Dwayne Polataivao (Northcote – NZ) 22 D’Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe – NZ) 23 Stacey Ili* (Hawkes Bay)

U.S. Men’s National Team Schedule & Results

  • vs Mãori All Blacks 22-59 (L) Preview
  • vs Samoa, Sat, Nov. 10 – 12:30 PM ET, Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian, ESP Preview
  • vs Romania, Sat, Nov. 17 – Time TBA, Ghencea Stadium, Bucharest, ROU
  • vs Ireland, Sat, Nov. 24 – 1:30 PM ET, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, IRE

*Times subject to change.

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant