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

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.