Player Profile

Notes from Goff Rugby Report

Photos by David Barpal, Judy Teasdale, and Ian Muir. Click images to enlarge. 

1. Eric Fry (Newcastle Falcons (ENG), age 28, 33 caps, 3 tries, 1 RWC match) ... Second Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut in a 44-13 defeat against Tonga in a Churchill Cup match in Esher, England, on 8 June 2011. ... Capable of playing both tight-head and loose-head and has started in both positions in Test matches for the Eagles. ... Was part of Team USA's 2011 Rugby World Cup squad and featured in one match in the competition, starting in the 67-5 defeat against Australia. ... One of several players in this squad that represents an English side at club level. Has earned his livelihood in England since 2012. ... Also represented United States at youth level (U-19).

Jesuit HS (Sacramento), Cal. Fry has developed into a solid scrummager, and will be under a lot of pressure to perform against Samoa. Out in the open field he needs to make more of an impact.

2. Zach Fenoglio (Glendale Raptors, age 26, 13 caps) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 9 November 2012, in a 40-26 victory against Russia. ... Natural position is hooker, but can also be deployed as a prop. ... Made strides in 2013, but did not feature in a single Eagles Test in 2014. ... Has started at hooker in each of his last three Test appearances. ... Part of the USA squad in the 2009 World Rugby Junior Trophy.

Regis Jesuit HS (Denver), Loyola Marymount. Fenoglio's strength has been his play around the park, but this year he's added more security in set piece. Lineouts are critical, and his throwing is critical. It's been good this year.

3. Titi Lamositele (Saracens (ENG), age 20, 13 caps, 1 try) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 27 August 2013 in A RWC Qualifier, which the Eagles lost 27-9 to Canada. ... Five starts,all at tight-head prop, in 13 Testappearances for the Eagles. ... Scored his first Test try on 18 July 2015, in a 21-16 Pacific Nations Cup defeat against Samoa. ... Earns his livelihood in England, playing for the Saracens. ... Represented United States at U-19 and U-20 levels. ... In high school, played and excelled in such sports as American football, basketball, track and field and wrestling.

Chuckanut (Bellingham, Wash.). Still very young, Lamositele is a go-forward kind of player. He's been exposed when isolated in the open field defending a fast opponent, but in the tight he's powerful and very useful.

4. Hayden Smith (Saracens (ENG), age 30, 26 caps, 4 RWC matches) ... Second Rugby World Cup. ... Born in Penrith, Australia. Won a scholarship to study in the US, initially as a basketball player. Later switched to rugby union and ultimately qualified for the Eagles through residency. ... Made his Test debut on 8 November 2008, in a 43-9 triumph over Uruguay in Sandy, Utah. ... Part of the Eagles' 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. Started in all of their four matches in the tournament. ... After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, he took a break from rugby. ... Temporarily enjoyed a career in American football's NFL, playing tight end for the New York Jets. He made one career reception (for 16 yards) in the league, on 23 December 2012, facing the San Diego Chargers. ... Plays his club rugby for London-based Saracens.

Metro State. Smith comes back from an injury that kept him out of action in the last three games. He hits very hard, and will be a bonus to the scrum and the lineout, where he calls the signals.

5. Greg Peterson (Glasgow Warriors (SCO), age 24, 8 caps, 1 try) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Born in Sydney, Australia. Qualifies for the Eagles via his American mother and father. ... Made his USA Rugby Test debut in a 27-17 victory over Romania on 8 November 2014. ... Scored his first try in August, in the 43-21 victory against Canada. ... Played professionally with the Super Rugby NSW Waratahs in 2010 to 2014 before joining with the Aviva Premiership Leicester Tigers for 2014/15 competition and recently signing with Guinness PRO12 Glasgow Warriors for 2015/6 and 2016/17 competitions. ... Member of the 2009 Australian Schools Rugby Union team and represented Australia Rugby Union in both 2010 and 2011 iRB Junior World Championships.       

Peterson seemed a bit at sea earlier in the summer, but he has upped his level of physicality, and if he can keep running the ball the way we've seen him, and cut out the silly penalties, he will help the pack.

6. Al McFarland (New York Athletic Club, age 26, 5 caps) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut in this season's Pacific Nations Cup, in the 23-18 victory over Japan on 24 July. ... In the running for a starting job at blindside flanker, but can also play other back-row positions as well as second row.

McFarland brings a lot of aggression in both offense and defense. A lot will be asked of him, especially defensively, in this game, with the biggest job likely to be an enforcer in the rucks, making sure Samoa doesn't slow the ball down.

7. Andrew Durutalo (USA 7s, age 27, 9 caps, 4 tries) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 9 June 2012, in a 28-25 defeat against Canada in Kingston. ... Picked up his first three Test caps in 2012, but then had to wait until 2015 to collect his fourth ... Led the Eagles in try scoring in the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup, scoring three. ... Scored his first Test try against Japan on 24 July and then produced a brace against Tonga five days later. ... Born Andrew Mataininotu Vanslyke Durutalo, he is of Fijian descent, born in New York City. ... His ancestry allowed him to represent Fiji at U-19 and U-21 levels.

Durutalo emerged this past 7s season as a ball-stealing artist, and he has continued that in 15s. He can run, he can tackle, but his bread will be buttered by creating turnovers.

8. Samu Manoa (RC Toulonnais (FRA), age 30, 11 caps, 2 tries) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 27 November 2010, in a 19-17 defeat against Georgia in Tbilisi. ... Had to wait until 2013 to make his second Test appearance and has made only one in 2015. ... Recorded his two Test tries in successive appearances, against Russia in November 2013 and Uruguay in March 2014.

Diablo/SFGG U19s. Manoa has the ability to take control of a game. The Eagles have to be smart enough to give him the ball when he can run up a head of steam. At No. 8 he should get that chance.

9. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club, age 31, 54 caps, 33 points - 6T 1DG, 5 RWC matches, 1 RWC try) ... Third Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Remained on the bench in the first three matches in the tournament, but played in the last. The Eagles lost 64-15 against South Africa on 30 September 2007. ... Has produced Test tries against Russia (2), Canada, Georgia, Uruguay and Australia. ... His one try in a World Cup match came in the 13-6 victory against Russia in New Plymouth on 15 September 2011. ... Captained the Eagles in three Test matches, but not in any since August 2011. ... Has played club rugby in the British Isles, playing for English side Sale Sharks and Welsh outfit Newport Gwent Dragons. ...

Xavier HS (New York), Penn State. At the top of his form as a distributor and especially as a defender, Petri has learned this summer to let others around him make plays, too.

10. AJ MacGinty (Life Rugby, Georgia, age 25, 5 caps, 65 points - 7C 16P 1DG) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Born Alan J. MacGinty in Dublin, Ireland. Qualifies through residency. ... His drop goal in the last minute of the Eagles' 15-13 win against Canada gave the USA a fifth place finish in this year's Pacific Nations Cup. ... MacGinty's 44 points in the tournament ranked second only to the 49 by Tonga's Kurt Morath. ... Posted more than 10 points in each of his first four Test appearances.

MacGinty had to learn a lot this summer. His first cap was against Samoa, and in that game he ran the ball a lot, and kicked a lot - not always at the right times. He's learned to pick his spots, and his targets.

11. Chris Wyles (captain, Saracens (ENG), age 32, 50 caps, 212 points - 14T 23C 31P 1DG, 7 RWC matches, 23 RWC points - 2T 2C 3P) ... Third Rugby World Cup. Previously appeared in 2007 and 2011. ... Captained the team in three of the Eagles' four matches in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, after incumbent Todd Clever was dropped. ... Has played the vast majority of his 50 Tests at full-back and has started in 48 of his 50 Test appearances. ... Made his Test debut on 18 May 2007, in a 51-3 defeat against England A in Stockport. ... On 21 June 2014, posted a career-high 23 points in a Test match. They were instrumental in a 38-35 victory over Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup. ... His 212 Test points rank him third all-time in Eagles history, behind the 465 by Mike Hercus and Matt Alexander, 286. ... His kicking duties have been recently assumed by fly-half AJ MacGinty, who landed 44 points in the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup. ... His parents are from England, which is where he moved aged 11. He currently plays for Saracens, having joined the London-based side in 2008.

Wyles has moved form fullback to wing because Mike Tolkin likes his work under the high ball, and maybe he can be involved more in the offense. If the USA is going to box kick, he's going to be the one who chases.

12. Thretton Palamo (London Welsh (ENG), age 26, 10 caps, 1 RWC match) ... Second Rugby World Cup. Featured in 2007. Not included in the Eagles' squad in 2011. ... Of Samoan heritage. His father, Arona, played for Samoa in nine Test matches from 1979 to 1982. ... Made his Test debut eight days after his 19th birthday, in the RWC defeat (64-15) against South Africa on 30 September 2007. To date, Palamo is the youngest player to appear in a RWC match. ... Coming into this tournament, he is one of only 21 teenagers to feature in a World Cup match. ... His debut Test match is still his only one in the competition. He was not included in the Eagles' 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. ... After making his Test debut, he had to wait a year to earn his second Test cap. He was then made to wait almost six years for his third. ... Turns 27 on September 22, two days after the USA play their RWC 2015 opener against Samoa. ... Only started playing rugby at 16, after earning accolades in basketball and American Football at youth level. ... Has also represented his country at youth levels and in Sevens. Has also played for Samoa at youth levels.

SFGG, Utah. Palamo has emerged as a line-busting center who can distribute, too. He's made strides, and if he can keep his body position under control, he can worry the Samoans. But he has to be comfortable with the idea that the first few crashes won't get too far.

13. Seamus Kelly (San Francisco Golden Gate, age 24, 20 caps, 1 try) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 25 May 2013, in a 16-9 defeat against Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup. ... Recorded his first and only Test try so far in a 20-14 defeat to Fiji on 21 November 2014. ... In his high school years built a reputation as a running back in American Football, earning the nickname "Famous Seamus". ... Represented his country in rugby at youth level. ... Has already attempted to engage in a professional career overseas, earning a trial with English side Gloucester in 2014.

Xavier (New York), Cal. He's good in the rucks and has shown an ability to wriggle out of contact and keep a play alive. But his game will be won and lost on defense.

14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympique (FRA), age 30, 32 caps, 12 tries, 7 RWC matches, 2 RWC tries) ... Third Rugby World Cup. Also appeared in 2007 and 2011. ... Born in Harare, Zimbabwe. Qualifies through residency. ... Made his Test debut in a RWC match. First appeared for US in 28-10 defeat against England on 8 September 2007. ... Has scored 12 career Test tries, all singles. Has registered a Test try in three successive appearances on two separate occasions. ... His first two Test tries came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, against South Africa and Samoa. ... His try against South Africa at RWC 2007, in which he outsprinted Bryan Habana, was elected IRB Try of the Year for 2007. ... His 12 Test tries rank fourth in Eagles history and second among active players. Teammate Chris Wyles is on 14. ... Has also represented his country in Sevens. ... Explosive and fast, he once recorded a 10.5 in the 100meters.

Plano, U. Dallas. Ngwenya may have lost a step, but he has learned to adjust. He looks for the offload more, he works within the system more, and he hits the rucks more. That's why he's back on this team.

15. Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues (WAL), age 27, 26 caps, 7 tries, 4 RWC matches) ... Second Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 18 June 2011 in a 32-25 victory against Russia. ... Played in all of the Eagles' four matches at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. ... Five tries in last year's Pacific Nations Cup, three against Japan on 14 June 2014 and two a week later against Canada. ... As a youth, also excelled at swimming and water polo. ... Has also represented his country in Sevens.

Cal. Putting Scully at fullback means Tolkin is comfortable with his kicking, and his strength under the high ball. Not that Samoa's going to kick all that much. Samoa will, however, break the line, and Scully has to be there to shore it up again. Offense is gravy.

Replacements:

16. Phil Thiel (Life Rugby, Georgia, age 30, 32 caps, 1 try, 3 RWC matches) ... Second Rugby World Cup. ... First played for the Eagles on 14 November 2009, when the US defeated Uruguay 27-22 in Montevideo. ... His only career Test try so far also came against Uruguay, in a 27-27 draw in Montevideo on 22 March 2014. ... Part of the Eagles' 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. Played in three of their four matches in the tournament. ... Has played predominantly at hooker for the Eagles, but has also made three replacement appearances at prop. ... Captained the team for the first time in his career on 29 July 2015, in the 33-19 defeat against Tonga. ... In 2014, enjoyed a brief stint with London-based Saracens.

Traverse Bay, Life University. Thiel has struggled on lineout throws, although it's not all been his fault. But Thiel is a hard-working, honest player who will have been working enormously hard to make sure it's all secure now. He will run on in this game, and he will likely have to perform perfectly in the set piece at a specific time.

17. Oli Kilifi (Seattle Saracens, age 28, 12 caps) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 16 November 2013, in a 25-23 victory against Georgia. ... Came on as a sub in his first two Tests, but started in his next eight appearances. ... Unused in the Eagles' 2015 Pacific Nations Cup campaign. ... Turns 29 on September 28, the day after his team's second RWC 2015 fixture, against Scotland. ... Can play at both loosehead and tighthead prop.

West Seattle U19s. A powerful prop like Lamositele in that we shouldn't expect him to run fast, but we should expect him to knock over a few tacklers.

18. Chris Baumann (Santa Monica, age 28, 4 caps) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, the 33-19 defeat against Tonga. ... Also played in the 15-13 victory against Canada on 3 August. ... True globetrotter. At an amateur level, has played rugby in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, the Philippines, Argentina and Japan.

U. Wyoming. Baumann is continuing to come along, and he knows his job. Put everything into 15 minutes of scrums, lineouts, and tackles.

19. Cam Dolan (Cardiff Blues (WAL), age 25, 16 caps, 3 tries) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Made his Test debut on 19 June 2013, in a 35-10 defeat against Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup. ... Three career Test tries, one against Russia, one against Japan and another against Canada. ... Capable of playing back-row and second row. ... Played in England for the Northampton Saints from 2013 to 2015. Currently plays for Cardiff Blues. ... Has also represented his country at youth level. Was named captain of the US U-20 side that played in the 2009 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy.

Naples, LIfe University. Interesting choice to pick Peterson over Dolan. It's a choice of bulk over speed, scrum over lineout. Dolan can break open a game, though, and as an impact sub he will be expected to.

20. Danny Barrett (USA 7s, age 25, 9 caps) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Came off the bench to make his Test debut on 7 June 2014, in a 24-6 defeat against Scotland in Houston. ... Has started at number eight in six of his last seven Test appearances. Also capable of playing flanker. ... Has also represented his country in Sevens.

Sacred Heart, Cal. Barrett brings emotion and physicality and should come on for McFarland and pick up where McFarland leaves off. He can score from long range, and he might just do that.

21. Shalom Suniula (Seattle Saracens, age 27, 14 caps, 1 try) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Born in American Samoa. Brother of Andrew and Roland Suniula, who have also played for the United States. ... Made his Test debut on 22 March 2014 in a 27-27 draw with Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier in Montevideo. ... In his first year on the team mostly used as a fly-half, however played at scrum-half in all four of the Eagles' Pacific Nations Cup matches in 2015. ... Recorded his only career Test try so far in his second appearance, the 32-13 victory over Uruguay in a RWC qualifier in Atlanta on 29 March 2014. ... One of his country's most accomplished Sevens players, has represented the US in several major tournaments.

Suniula can play flyhalf or scrumhalf, and even slot in at center. He's versatile, and has a superb sidestep. Defensively he needs to be better, as he's missed too many tackles this summer.

22. Folau Niua (USA 7s, age 30, 15 caps, 28 points - 1T 4C 5P) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Has represented the United States in Sevens since 2011. ... Made his Eagles Test debut on 17 August 2013, in a 27-9 defeat against Canada. ... Produced his first points for the team in a 27-27 draw with Uruguay on 22 March 2014. His 12 points that day are still a personal best for the Eagles. ... Has played club rugby in the British Isles, representing Glasgow Warriors in 2014.

East Palo Alto. Niua can play anywhere in thebackline except wing, and can kick from his right foot and his left. He's strong in contact, and a good passer. The big question is, if he comes in as a sub, will he work with the players there. Too often we've seen some almost-breaks that don't quite end up the way we want them too. He needs to look for his support earlier, and trust his teammates a bit more, as he does in 7s.

23. Brett Thompson (USA 7s, age 25, 4 caps, 1 try) ... First Rugby World Cup. ... Scored a try on debut, a 38-35 victory against Canada on 21 June 2014. ... Featured in one of four of the Eagles' matches in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, the 33-19 defeat against Tonga. ... Son of Salty Thompson, a well-known coach in the US rugby community. ... Part of the USA Rugby Sevens set-up. ... Part of the USA squad in the 2009 World Rugby Junior Trophy.

Tempe U19s, Arizona. Thompson is a tall, physical wing who could can win the high ball and run hard through contact. Watch for him to come on at a crucial time to do just that.