The Washington State Loggers boys high school rep-side today announced its XVs selections to compete against the England Independent Schools “Lambs” XV on Easter Sunday, April 5 in Seattle.
Former USA prop Shawn Pittman works with the Loggers forwards |
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Twenty-three players were named from a pool nominated by coaches from across the state. The Loggers’ first match features “The Lambs” – England’s U18s representative side for independent school players. The Lambs will be concluding their North American tour following matches against Jesuit High School in Sacramento and the Northern California All-Stars the previous week.
“The Lambs represent the highest caliber touring side the Loggers have faced in many years,” said Steve Brennan, Loggers’ Director and Boys Head Coach. “We expect them to play fast, disciplined running rugby ̶ and all that comes from the well-rounded skills of a top England rep-side.
“We are very excited to test our boys with this level of competition as a precursor for our 2015 campaign,” he said. “We have a very strong team that includes one USA U-20 player, HSAA Argentina tour and 7s players, along with a very experienced varsity group.”
The Lambs 2014-2105 competition schedule includes top-flight Premiership clubs including London Irish, Northampton and Saracens.
The Loggers squad for the Lambs includes experienced players contending for the USA internationally, including High School All-American and current U20 loose forward Brian Nault (Shelton), HSAA XVs prop Derise Fuga (Liberty), along with HSAA 7s players Will Brennan (Seattle) and Alfonso Cornu (Eastside), and with HSAA JV lock Finlay Bruce.
In addition to that group, flanker Kyle Saalfeld and utility back Tristan Ingold are 2014 HSAA winter camp invitees.
The Loggers prepared for 2015 with a six-session Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) camp in the fall, facilitated by HSAA Coach Salty Thompson. The Loggers first competitive venture was Las Vegas Invitational 7s in February, winning the Plate in the Elite International Division.
“We’re going to play Northwest Loggers-style rugby,” said Brennan. “Our boys know what that means.”
The Loggers (USA) vs. The Lambs (England) will be played at Seattle’s Magnuson Park on Easter Sunday, April 5 at 2:30pm.
Washington State Loggers Squad to face the Lambs
| PLAYER | HS XV CLUB | POSITION |
| Bubba Fuga | Liberty | Prop |
| Albert Ballasteros | Eastside | Prop |
| Brennan Quirk | Seattle | Prop |
| Hayden Warneke | Kent | Hooker |
| Finlay Bruce | Seattle | Lock |
| Caden Sarginson | Liberty | Lock |
| Kauri Bush | Seattle | Lock |
| Kyle Saalfeld | Kent | Flanker |
| Halleluiah Tuaili | Rainier | Flanker |
| Brian Nault | Shelton | No. 8 |
| Lui Sitama | Budd Bay | Scrumhalf |
| Malcom Walton | Liberty | Scrumhalf |
| Jonny Reid | Chuckanut | Flyhalf |
| Connor Miller | Seattle | Flyhalf |
| Kian Azizirad | Seattle | Center |
| Loren Wallace | Eastside | Center |
| Will Brennan | Seattle | Center |
| Tristan Ingold | Kent | Utility Back |
| Zachariah Greyson | Liberty | Wing |
| Savaauli Maae | Budd Bay | Wing |
| Brandon Burn | Kent | Wing |
| Emrick Quah | Eastside | Wing |
| Alfonso Cornu | Eastside | Fullback |
