Written by Alex Goff    Thursday, 01 November 2012 19:04    PDF Print Write e-mail
A Look at the Eagles Squad
Columns - Eagle Eye


Here's a quick look at all the USA Men's National Team Players, including some codes related to their background.

Here's the key to the codes:
HS= Played HS rugby in USA
HAA= Played for USA U19s or HS All Americans
COL= Player collegiate rugby in USA
CAA= Collegiate All American
7s= Played 7s for the USA
DEV= Player for USA Selects, or in the NA4
OVT= Learned his rugby overseas
OVC=Played club rugby overseas
USC= Played club rugby in USA

Player Position Club/Union Background What he does What he needs to improve
Derek Asbun Hooker/Flanker Rosslyn Park RFC HS, COL, CAA, OVU, OVC, DEV Gets around the field, plays great defense Lineout throwing, power
Inaki Basauri Flanker/Lock Tarbes Pyrenees Rugby HS, HAA, USC, OVC Versatile, intelligent Dominating in tight
Chris Biller Hooker Not Attached HS, COL, CAA, OVC, USC Runs well, set piece Continue improving work rate in loose
Chris Chapman Fullback/Wing/Center New York Athletic Club OVT, OVC, USC, DEV
 Got good skills Better decision-making than at ARC
Todd Clever Flanker NTT Shining Arcs HS, HAA, COL, CAA, USC, 7s, OVC Run, tackle, lineout, dark arts in ruck Stay frosty
Peter Dahl Flanker Belmont Shore RFC OVT, USC, 7s Very savvy at breakdown, good work rate How long can work rate last?
Cornelius Dirksen Wing/SH Life University OVT, COL, USC, DEV
 Dependable on defense, smart Attacking explosiveness
Brian Doyle Lock New York Athletic Club COL, USC, DEV Lineout, scrum, channel one defense Scrum even more
Paul Emerick Center London Wasps COL, CAA, USC, 7s, OVC Runs over people, makes things happen Stay frosty
Zach Fenoglio Hooker/Prop Glendale Raptors RFC HS, HAA, COL, CAA, USC, DEV Intelligent, hard-nosed Lineout throws, speed
Eric Fry Prop Manawatu Turbos HS, HAA, COL, CAA, USC, OVC Gets around the field, plays great defense Scrum, scrum and scrum
Graham Harriman Lock Chicago Griffins RFC USC, OVC, DEV
 Lineout, work rate Power game
Luke Hume Wing Old Blue RFC OVT, USC, 7s Speed, energy, sidestep Not every possession is a potential try
Scott LaValla Flanker/Lock Stade Francais HS, HAA, OVU, OVC, DEV
 Lineout, field coverage, open field Everything a little bit each day
Toby L'Estrange Flyhalf/Center New York Athletic Club OVT, USC Field general, kick from hand Prove he can do it on int'l stage
Gearoid McDonald Flyhalf/Center Old Belvedere RFC OVT, DEV
 Field general, kick from hand, kick for goal Prove he can do it on int'l stage
Takudzwa Ngwenya Wing Biarritz DEV, 7s, USC, OVC, DEV
 Exploits space with his pace to score Exploit dminishing space in tests
Zach Pangelinan Wing/Fullback OMBAC USC, 7s, DEV Elusive, good kicker, quick Be more consistent, defense
Mike Petri Scrumhalf New York Athletic Club HS, HAA, COL, CAA, USC, OVC, DEV
 Skilled, composed, great in open field Chemistry with FH
Shawn Pittman Prop Not Attached HS, HAA, RSL, UVC, DEV Athletic, strong, great in loose, open field Scrum
Anthony Purpura Prop Boston RFC COL, USC, DEV Strong, gritty Up intensity, solidify scrum
John Quill Flanker Boston RFC OVT, USC, DEV Work rate, ball-hawk Be smart
Robbie Shaw Scrumhalf Richmond RFC OVT, DEV Good, dependable service at SH Take charge of role quickly
Louis Stanfill Lock/Flanker Vicenza Gers HS, HAA, COL, CAA, USC, OVC Completely uncompromising, can play anywhere He's the man
Andrew Suniula Center Chicago Griffins OVT, 7s, OVC, USC Power runner with a step Keep showing the power
Roland Suniula Center/Flyhalf FC Auch Gers OVT, 7s, OVC, USC Shifty runner with power Marshal kicking game
Nicholas Wallace Prop St. Mary's HS, COL, CAA, DEV Athletic, strong, good in loose Scrum
Chris Wyles Fullback/Center Saracens RFC OVT, 7s, OVC, USC, DEV
 Defense, field vision, boot Relax and play as he does at Saracens