Unprecedented Time for U20s in Seeking JWRT Qualification
Unprecedented Time for U20s in Seeking JWRT Qualification
The USA Men's U20s are set to face off with Canada in a two-game series in June.
The series, played June 6 and June 10 in Spartanburg, SC, will be the qualifier series for the World Rugby Trophy.
The USA players have been in assembly since May 15, and that's fairly unprecedented for the U20 program. That has allowed Head Coach Kyle Sumsion to take his time working with the players and the units.
"It's been great," Sumsion told Goff Rugby Report. "I feel really good about the team we've assembled. We've got talent across the country, a lot of home-grown talent."
There are a couple of players who play their rugby overseas, but overall it's a USA-based group. And also it's notable that these players come from a variety of programs, including professional teams and many universities. Some college programs have been reluctant to release players to the USA U20 team when the buildup seems confused or undetailed. The message this time around seems to be that the planning was good.
"We have a clear vision," said Sumsion. "And we have more support than we ever had in my time and maybe the last decade. People are seeing what [interim Head of High Performance] Scott Lawrence is bringing to the table. When we look ahead to hosting the World Cup in 2031, these guys will be 27 or 28. So we need to develop them now."
The players are athletes who have been on the radar for quite some time, added Sumsion, and they are being brought into a more cohesive system that covers the entire USA program.
"When Scott came on board we were given a timeline and a game plan," explained Sumsion. "We've have been having conversations with players and coaches since December. We have more time in camp than ever and Scott coming in to oversee everything is an exciting development."
And there's a feeling that there is an American character being developed within the entire USA program. Big, physical, and skilled teams are the target, and that's how the team is being developed.
"Ultimately what we're looking at is work ethic," said Sumsion. "We want to be fitter and stronger; a team with a high work ethic and coachability."
But also important is winning. The U20 team is, for the most part, the last age-grade step before the senior Eagles. Yes there's a U23/College All American team, but it's much more likely for very talented players to get into the senior Eagle clubhouse after a good showing as a U20.
"We haven't qualified for the Junior World Trophy since 2016," noted Sumsion. "So my role is to qualify That goal is going to permeate everything we do. We've got to change our mindset and we're taking the field to win."
Working out at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, the players have embraced the mentality.
"The energy's palpable," said Sumsion. "We've been really well looked after. Everything feels professional. The setup means that the coaches and players can just focus on the rugby."
USA Men’s U20s Trophy Qualifiers Schedule
USA vs Canada | June 6
Kickoff 6PM ET
Spartanburg Regional Field at County University Stadium | Spartanburg, SC
USA vs Canada | June 10
Kickoff 6PM ET
Spartanburg Regional Field at County University Stadium | Spartanburg, SC
| USA Men’s U20s Player Pool | 2023 World Rugby Trophy Qualifiers | |
| NAME | SCHOOL/CLUB |
| Aidan Christians | USA Hawks |
| Aki Pulu | American Raptors |
| Animae Amiatu | San Diego Legion / USA Hawks |
| Braemar Murray | Stade Toulousain |
| Cade Crist | University of California - Berkeley |
| Cameron McApline | United Kingdom |
| Cole Frank | Clemson University |
| Connor Devos | Lindenwood University |
| Corbin Smith | Hartpury University |
| Cormac Saint | University of California - Berkeley |
| Declan Dolan | Penn State University |
| Dom Besag | St. Mary's College of California |
| Dylan Fortune | Lindenwood University |
| Gabe Riordan | Dartmouth College |
| Gabriel Hayden | Canterbury RFC (UK) |
| Hayden McKay | Young Glory (Old Glory DC) |
| Henry Duke | Unattached |
| Holden Hahn | Charlotte Cardinals |
| Hugh O'Kennedy | Trinity College - Dublin |
| Leon Best | Life University |
| Logan Ballinger | Life University |
| Luke Schaefer | Lindenwood University |
| Ollie Cline | Central Washington University |
| Osi Nauer | Utah Warriors |
| Parker Wall | Indiana University |
| Rand Santos | University of California - Berkeley |
| Sosaia Pongi | St. Mary's College of California |
| Solomon Williams | University of California - Berkeley |
| Steffan Crimp | Cardiff Metropolitan University |
| Strider Fountaine | BYU |
| Tommy Hannon | Indiana University |
| Trevion Reed | Queens University |
| Will Sherman | UCLA |
