LAFAYETTE, Colo. – The Americas Pacific Challenge is just under a month away, and a roster has been set for the tournament held in Montevideo, Uruguay. Men’s USA Rugby Selects Head Coach Scott Lawrence confirmed today that 27 promising prospects will gather in Fort Lauderdale prior to competition in South America, with 10 home reserves available here in the States. With world class training and tournament play on the team’s pallet, Lawrence looks forward to appraising the young talent.

“The APC and this USA Selects is an opportunity for some of our domestic men’s athletes to put their hand up for November and beyond.” Said Lawrence. Referring to late fall test matches between Germany and Georgia for the Senior Men’s National Team, General Manager Dave Hodges recognizes the APC as an important stepping stone. “Coach Lawrence and his staff have been meticulously preparing for this competition in order to allow the players to put in their best performance.” Shared Hodges, “We look forward to seeing the team come together and represent the United States of America in this A level competition.”

Six rostered players and one home reserve will return to the APC squad after competing in the 2016 tournament. Alex Maughan, Benjamin Cima, Bryce Campbell, Hanco Germishuys, Jean-Paul Eloff and Matthew Jensen will travel to Montevideo while returning Chance Wengleski will roster as a home reserve. The United States finished with a 1-2 record following 2016 play.

Men’s USA Rugby Selects | Americas Pacific Challenge 2017

Player Club/School Position Huluholo Moungaloa Life West Prop Kelepi Fifita Glendale Raptors Prop Peter Malcolm Austin Huns/Wheeling Jesuit Hooker Alex Vorster Brigham Young University Hooker Alex Maughan Life University Prop Patrick Ryan Unattached Prop Angus Maclellan Chicago Lions Prop Matthew Jensen Brigham Young University Lock Brendan Hardiman San Francisco Golden Gate Lock Ben Landry Glendale Raptors Lock Brendan Daly San Francisco Golden Gate Lock Jack Kaka Brigham Young University Flanker Aladdin Schirmer Seattle Saracens Flanker Psalm Wooching Seattle Saracens/University of Washington Flanker Hanco Germishuys Austin Huns #8 Ruben De Haas Little Rock Stormers Scrum-half Holden Yungert Saint Mary’s College Scrum-half Ben Cima Rocky Gorge Fly-half Mike McCarthy Saint Mary’s College Fly-half Bryce Campbell Glendale Raptors/Indiana University Center Lemoto Filikitonga San Francisco Golden Gate Center Josh Whippy Brigham Young University Center Martini Talapusi Life West Center Zach Pangelinan Strikers Rugby Wing Mitch Wilson Life University Full Back Jean-Pierre Eloff Chicago Lions Full Back Tim Maupin Saint Mary’s College, Dublin Wing Chance Wengleski Lindenwood University Prop Jacob Finau San Francisco Golden Gate Hooker John Hayden Seattle Saracens Prop Siaosi Mahoni Life West Lock Maciu Koroi Life University Back Row Devreaux Ferris Life West Scrum-half Kalei Konrad Old Mission Beach Athletic Club Fly-half Vetekina Malafu Kutztown University Wing Lorenzo Thomas Lindenwood University Center Marcus Tupuola Notre Dame College Wing

Home Reserve Men’s USA Selects Tour Staff:

Head Coach: Scott Lawrence

Assistant Coach: JD Stephenson

Assistant Coach: Scott Murray

Assistant Coach/Analyst: James Harrison

Team Manager: Chris Hanson

Athletic Trainer: Kevin Ng

Team Physician: Alexandra Myers Head Coach: Scott LawrenceAssistant Coach: JD StephensonAssistant Coach: Scott MurrayAssistant Coach/Analyst: James HarrisonTeam Manager: Chris HansonAthletic Trainer: Kevin NgTeam Physician: Alexandra Myers

“With the concurrent 7s assemblies and pros working abroad,” continued Lawrence, “we now have the ability to facilitate a greater number of athletes getting into international competition.”

The Americas Pacific Challenge is structured in a round robin, first past the post tournament format played across three competitive rounds. Teams will play opponents in their opposite pool once, with the tournament winner determined by the total number of competition points accrued across the three rounds. No caps however are awarded during the tournament as the competition is developmental and the teams participating are not the senior squads. The Men’s USA Selects will kick off play against Samoa A on October 7th.

Americas Pacific Challenge | Tournament Schedule 2017

Round Date Team Team Time (ET) 1 Oct. 7 USA Rugby Selects v Samoa A 11:00 a.m. Argentina XV v Canada A 1:00 p.m. Tonga A v Uruguay A 3:00 p.m. 2 Oct. 11 Tonga A v Canada A 11:00 a.m. Argentina XV v Samoa A 1:00 p.m. USA Rugby Selects v Uruguay A 3:00 p.m. 3 Oct. 15 Tonga A v Samoa A 11:00 a.m. USA Rugby Selects v Canada A 1:00 p.m. Argentina XV v Uruguay A 3:00 p.m.

With such a broad pool of talented young rugby players now competing in the US, Lawrence admires the support and insight provided rugby leadership, “I’m grateful to the club and college coaches who took the time and continue to engage with the entire staff in the selection and preparation process so far.”

The Americas Pacific Challenge will take place October 7th through 15th at Charrua Stadium in Motevideo, Uruguay.