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Joe Taufete’e will travel with the USA Eagles to Japan for the Pacific Nations Cup. The 34-year-old hooker is one of 31 players selected by Head Coach Scott Lawrence for the two-test series that opens against Japan in Osaka on September 12, followed by a match opposite Fiji or Canada in Tokyo on September 19.
‘Big Joe’ hasn’t appeared in an Eagles shirt since appearing as a replacement against Romania in August of 2023. Since then Taufete’e has often struggled with injury, but he was first choice No2 for the California Legion this past season and now looks set to add to his 36 test appearances.
Second row or blindside flanker Sam Golla returns from injury after missing out on the first round of Nations Cup, while veteran scrumhalf Michael Baska is recalled having been left out in July. Campbell Robb is one of three uncapped selections, having recently qualified under five-year registration. Loosehead prop Ma’ake Muti and midfielder Cassh Maluia are yet to play their first tests.
Seattle Seawolves flyhalf Davy Coetzer will travel with the team despite not being eligible to play in the tests. The 27-year-old South African is likely to feature for the USA Falcons, who are set to play against two Japan League One sides following the PNC. It’s unclear if any of those listed as non-travelling reserves will join the team for those matches.
A long list of injured and unavailable players includes all of the USA’s European-based internationals, among them new Oyonnax signing Charlie Abel. USA u20 captain Spencer Huntley was set to make the trip but the Hartpury University scrumhalf was injured in training.
*NOTE: players are listed by their most recent club affiliation… Shilo Klein’s contract with Zebre has now concluded, while the Anthem team in Major League Rugby has been discontinued
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Ma’ake Muti (California Legion) uncapped
Faka’osi Pifeleti (Chicago Hounds) 1 cap
Payton Telea-Ilalio (Anthem RC) 7 caps
HOOKER
Shilo Klein (Zebre Parma, IT) 9 caps
Campbell Robb (Anthem RC) uncapped
Joe Taufete’e (California Legion) 36 caps
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Tonga Kofe (California Legion) 9 caps
Alex Maughan (Anthem RC) 9 caps
Mason Pedersen (Seattle Seawolves) 2 caps
SECOND ROW
Jason Damm (California Legion) 18 caps
Nathan Den Hoedt (Chicago Hounds) 3 caps
Sam Golla (Anthem RC) 8 caps
Brandon Harvey (Chicago Hounds) 4 caps
BACK ROW
Makeen Alikhan (Anthem RC) 8 caps
Benjamín Bonasso (Old Glory DC) 13 caps
Marno Redelinghuys (Seattle Seawolves) 9 caps
Paddy Ryan (Seattle Seawolves) 21 caps
Lance Williams (California Legion) 1 cap
SCRUMHALF
Michael Baska (Chicago Hounds) 6 caps
Ruben de Haas (Chicago Hounds) 47 caps
Ethan McVeigh (New England Free Jacks) 9 caps
FLYHALF
Luke Carty (Anthem RC) 27 caps
Chris Hilsenbeck (Chicago Hounds) 8 caps
MIDFIELD
Dom Besag (SMC Gaels) 21 caps
Tavite Lopeti (Chicago Hounds) 29 caps
Cassh Maluia (California Legion) uncapped
Tom Pittman (Anthem RC) 3 caps
OUTSIDE BACKS
Noah Brown (Chicago Hounds) 1 cap
Mark O’Keeffe (Chicago Hounds) 5 caps
Julian Roberts (Anthem RC) 3 caps
Mitch Wilson (New England Free Jacks) 22 caps
RESERVES
Kaleb Geiger (HO, New England Free Jacks) 10 caps
Justus Tavai (TH, California Legion) uncapped
Tevita Naqali (LO, Old Glory DC) 9 caps
Rick Rose (LO, Old Glory DC) uncapped
Vili Helu (LO/FL, Kurita Water Gush, JP) 23 caps
Tomás Casares (LO/FL, Chicago Hounds) 3 caps
Aidan King (FL, Doncaster Knights, UK) uncapped
Christian Poidevin (FL, California Legion) 6 caps
Ishy Safodien (SH, Anthem RC) uncapped
Steffan Crimp (FH/FB, Californa Legion) uncapped
Dane Mitchell (CE, Sydney Uni, AU) uncapped
John Rizzo (WI, Old Glory DC) uncapped
Oscar Treacy (WI, California Legion) uncapped
