USA Rugby Announces Select XV Squad for England Counties Match
For Immediate ReleaseMay 22, 2008
USA Rugby Announces Select XV Squad for England Counties Match
BOULDER, Colo. - USA Rugby officially announced today the Select XV squad set to compete in two matches against the England Counties XV on Friday, June 6 and Monday, June 9, at Columbia University’s Baker Field Athletic Complex.
The developmental squad includes 16 players from the Rugby Super League, the premier level of rugby competition in the U.S., as well as a handful of Division I Senior Men’s Club and Collegiate Club players who impressed selectors during the spring season. This addition to the men’s schedule provides a prime opportunity for the USA team to develop an expanded player pool leading up to the summer competition season.
“Increasing the size of the Elite Player pool from which the Eagles will be selected makes competition for places more intense and develops a healthy rivalry within the squad,” USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville said. “It’s important that all of our elite players have an opportunity to compete against elite opposition from other countries and the visit of the England Counties will ensure a larger group of athletes are challenged to play in June.”
The Select XV will be led by head coach Mike Tolkin, along with assistant coaches Ron Laszewski (forwards) and Chris Osentowski (scrum) and Lex Maccubbin as the manager.
Cal Berkeley’s Gary Golding was initially chosen for the Select XV squad, but following a strong showing at the College Club Playoffs, he will now join the recently named Barclays Churchill Cup team for its June competitions.
Both matches between the Select XV and the England Counties XV, the representative flagship of the County and Community game outside the Guinness Premiership, are slated for 7 p.m. (EDT) kickoffs. Coverage of the match-up will be delivered LIVE online via the USA Rugby Network.
Admission to the matches on June 6 and 9 is free, but donations will be accepted to support Play Rugby Inc.’s youth development program in NYC. In the week leading up to the USA matches, from May 31 - June 7, Play Rugby USA will host National Rugby Week, featuring free non-contact rugby activities and competitions in nearly 50 schools throughout New York City.
Rugby Week will culminate in the inaugural Mayor’s Cup, also at Baker Field Athletic Complex on June 7, where more than 24 teams from around the New York City area will compete from 12-4 p.m. For more information on Play Rugby USA, visit www.playrugbyusa.com.
For more information on the Select XV’s matches, visit www.usarugby.org. Media interested in attending the event should contact USA Rugby Communications Coordinator Ashley Voss at avoss@usarugby.org.
Players selected for the Select XV squad include:
Forwards
Mark Kernan (Belmont Shore)
Chris Moreno (Denver Barbarians)
Phillip Thiel (Life University)
Mike Bunce (Pearl City)
Will Vavoa (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Will Johnson (Olympic Club)
Samuela Manoa (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Brian Doyle (NYAC)
Jared Wolfgramm (Belmont Shore)
Rikus Pretorius (Cal)
Pat Quinn (Denver Barbarians)
Dan Laprovette (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Peter Dahl (Belmont Shore)
Justin Stencel (Charlotte)
Backs
Tim Usasz (Nottingham)
Chris Mayo (NYAC)
Maximo DeAchaval (University of Colorado)
Scott Peterson (Chicago Lions)
Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore)
Nathan Rodgers (Life University)
Justin Boyd (Dallas)
James Gillenwater (Belmont Shore)
Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Mike Graham (Glendale)
Justin Hundley (NYAC)
Inspiring America to fall in love with Rugby