A Closer Look at the USA U20 Squad

The USA U20s are in camp now and it’s a hugely diverse group of players that interim Head Coach JD Stephenson has to mold into a cohesive unit.

What he has to help him is the experience of many of these players - some have been with the U20s before, and others have been on trips with the HS All Americans or Eagle Impact Rugby Academy.

So there are expectations, and one of those expectations is that the players should understand what the expectations are.

“We’ve got a really well-rounded group,” enthused Stephenson. “As I said before, we’re pretty deep at 9s and 10s and that’s exciting to see. Breaking into this team is going to be tough.”

Tough, also, will be Canada, which took apart the USA team in the 2nd of the two-game series last year. This year, it’s a one-off game in Austin, Texas to see who makes the World Rugby Junior Trophy from North America. There will be no time for slow starts.

Here’s a little breakdown of the players and some notes:

First off, two players were mentioned by USA Rugby as being not available for selection. This is important in that Stephenson and USA Rugby wanted it to be known that they were wanted. Penn State flanker Malcolm May, GRR’s pick as best college forward during the fall of 2015, is hurt and can’t make it. And Herriman lock/No. 8 George “Leki” Fotu is set to take a DI football scholarship, and so won’t be available   - Correction, Fotu actually could have played despite his football commitment, but his HS basketball team is in the playoffs and Fotu is the starting power forward, and that's why he was unable to make the assembly.

This continues to be the track we’re seeing in talented rugby players. They are good athletes, and often their success in rugby helps them land a football scholarship. The hope is, like Thretton Palamo and David Tameilau, they come back to rugby eventually.

Now on to the squad in general:

Of the 26 players, 24 played or are playing HS rugby in the USA. Rodney Giles and Louis Mulholland went to high school in England. Those 24 came from 21 different age-grade programs, with only Belmont Shore U19s (2) and Union out of Oklahoma (3) repeating.

Sixteen played for the High School All Americans, with an additional player, Deion Mikesell playing for Salty Thompson under EIRA.

Some individual player notes:

Al-Jiboori is a big, powerful runner who can break tackles.

Branham was the GRR HS Player of the Year for 2014-15. Powerful runner and defender. He plays hooker, but also played No. 8, and you get the feeling he'd play scrumhalf and excel.

Cima was a U20 player at 17 (they needed a waiver to get him in). He is a multi-skilled flyhalf who has opted for club play over his college (Maryland). An excellent kicker, smart passer, and better defender than his slight frame suggests.

Cudeback is a very powerful front row forward, one of those guys who is the glue of the pack. He is always well thought-of by his coaches.

De Haas is a very intelligent halfback. Still HSAA eligible and his leadership has impressed many.

Germishuys was, like Cima, a U20 Eagle at 17. He's athletic, fast, and very aggressive. Benefited from some time in South Africa.

Hannon was the Back of the 2014-15 as picked by GRR. He's a smart flyhalf but his running skills and Cima's kicking might mean he slides out somewhere else.

Mikesell has a huge athletic upside. Played only 7s in Iowa but it was enough to have him pass up football offers for rugby. Has a ton of pace.

Mulholland could be an Eagle at scrumhalf soon enough. He's going through the levels in England and can run the game nicely.

Taumoefolau is a bit of a wild card. The Las Vegas Rugby Academy product, he now plays for the local men's team, and has started some at No. 8 for them. They love him there - athletic, physical, large, and soaks up information. Good team guy.

Teles is a very smart and hard-working lock - another who has picked rugby over football.

Warnock was a big part of the NorCal side that beat the England Lambs over the summer. Pen Green keeps producing the talent.