The USA Men’s National Team now looks to face Romania without some big-name players.

 

Brett Thompson left the field early against New Zealand. He had been nursing a shoulder injury and may well have reinjured that. We doubt he’ll be back this month.

 

Troy Hall is out due to the timing of his return from retirement (see here).

 

Cam Dolan had knee surgery and wasn’t available for last week’s game and won’t be available for the rest of the month anyway.

 

Chris Wyles, Blaine Scully, Samu Manoa, Eric Fry, and Hayden Smith will play no further part in the November internationals as part of a deal struck between USA Rugby and the Aviva Premiership clubs. Scott LaValla returns to Stade Francais to play against Clermont-Auvergne, but then will be released for the Tonga and Fiji games.

 

Danny Barrett left Soldier Field with an injury and is questionable at the moment. Mate Moeakiola left the field, too, but Goff Rugby Report spoke to him after the game and he said he felt OK.

 

So that’s seven players absent that Head Coach Mike Tolkin expected to be absent, and perhaps as many as four more hurt.

 

What to do now. Tolkin said after the game that he was immensely proud of the effort given by his players in the loss to New Zealand. 

 

“The guys gave it everything and hopefully we learn from these lessons,” he said. 

 

Of those who played who are still in the squad, Todd Clever is of course the leader and captain. A typical Clever performance on Saturday showed he is as physical and passionate and involved as ever. The front row of Phil Thiel, Olive Kilifi, Moeakiola, Nick Wallace, and Tom Coolican all hung in there, and had their moments. Fry was very strong in loose play but won’t be back. Some struggled with retaining ball in contact. Coolican’s grubber up the wing wasn’t the smartest move in the world. Thiel threw well and was active. The only change for this group is Angus MacLellan joining in and Ben Tarr likely to be considered for a game. The Eagles should be OK here.

 

At lock, Lou Stanfill was a sub and returns - likely starting as he gets his 50th cap. Watch out for Greg Peterson, the American-parented, Australian-trained 6-8 Super Rugby lock. Tai Tuisamoa stays on and, like Stanfill, got stuck in Saturday. He came on earlier than expected because of Barrett’s injury and held up well.

 

In the back row there are serious questions (aside from Clever). Likely John Quill will start at openside, but who will be No. 8? Stanfill would be the safe choice. Clever might be an option. But you might see Matt Trouville get a look here, also. Kyle Sumsion joins the squad, as does John Cullen. There are options, but No. 8 is an important job in a scrum that often struggles.

 

The halfback group of Mike Petri, Shalom Suniula, and Adam Siddall won’t change, although given the issues in the deep three you could see Siddall come in at fullback and Suniula start at flyhalf.

 

At center, Andrew Suniula played well against the All Blacks, although he went into contact too high. Seamus Kelly had some visible errors on defense as he wasn’t low enough and was easily fended off. He and Folau Niua will battle for that #13 jersey this week.

 

And finally to wing and fullback. Saturday’s starting three of Thompson, Scully, and Wyles is a great trio, but we don’t have them.

 

We do have: Tim Maupin, Taku Ngwenya, and Tim Stanfill. That’s it. 

 

What we’d suggest is Maupin at left wing, and Ngwenya on the right, with Stanfill on the bench. And then we’d put either Shalom Suniula or Adam Siddall in at fullback (both can kick - Siddall is more physical but Suniula played sweeper in 7s which has similar responsibilities) with the other playing flyhalf.

 

Folau Niua might also be an option here, as he can kick, but he’s not super fast. 

Interestingly, the two positions where the Eagles have some real loss - loose forward and wing/fullback - are positions where the 15s Eagles decided not to select 7s players in the interests of saving those players. Could Andrew Durutalo and Zach Test provide the cover Tolkin needs?

 

Below, the USA November tour squad with their status for Romania (strikethrough means they aren’t available; bold means they joined the squad this week):

 

Danny Barrett (Injured?) Loose Forward

Todd Clever  Loose Forward

Tom Coolican  Hooker

Cameron Dolan Loose Forward

Eric Fry Prop

Troy Hall Fullback/Center

Seamus Kelly Center

Olive Kilifi Prop

Scott Lavalla Loose Forward/Lock

Tim Maupin Wing

Mate Moeakiola Prop

Folau Niua Center

Mike Petri Scrumhalf

Adam Siddall Flyhalf/Fullback/Center

Louis Stanfill Loose Forward/Lock

Tim Stanfill Wing

Andrew Suniula Center

Shalom Suniula Scrumhalf/Flyhalf

Benjamin Tarr Prop

Phil Thiel Hooker

Tai Tuisamoa  Lock

Nick Wallace Prop