Short backgrounds on each player on tour with the USA Men's 15s National Team for August, 2023.

The Forwards

Nate Brakeley (New York Ironworkers, 28 caps)

Brakeley got his start at St. John’s Prep in Massachusetts and then Dartmouth College before earning a Blue for Cambridge. A (very) smart, versatile forward he can play at blindside flanker or lock, and at 6-5 is a huge asset in the lineout. He is a powerful defender and can make ground, but isn’t a first-choice runner of the ball. That’s OK, he brings much to the table, including experience.

Cam Dolan (NOLA Gold, 63 caps) (Ian Muir photo at right)

An Eagle for 10 years now, Dolan played for the Naples Hammerheads in high school and Life University in college. He was on the USA age-grade teams before earning his first cap when he was 23. At only 33 he is the third-most-capped USA player ever, behind Todd Clever and Mike MacDonald. Generally a No. 8, he’s a lineout weapon and really strong in the open field. His 19 tries, third all-time among USA players, attest to that. Over the past 10 years he has probably been the USA’s most consistently good player.

Dylan Fawsitt (New York Ironworkers, 18 caps)

Born in Ireland and earning USA eligibility through residency, “The Butcher” is one of the most genial, positive guys you could have on a rugby team. On the field he’s a hard worker and at hooker he does the job—lineout throws, winning scrums, and directing the mauls. It seems like he’s counted out only to keep coming back, unfazed, undiscouraged, and ready to win rucks.

Kaleb Geiger (New York Ironworkers, 0 caps)

Geiger was spotted in the American Raptors program where they take athletes from other sports and mold them into rugby players. He was selected for the USA Falcons to tour South Africa last year and emerged as a player who worked non-stop, hit hard, and seemed to relish the unglamorous work. He played hooker then and has since migrated to prop, offering Coach Lawrence some options.

Sam Golla (Dallas Jackals, 0 caps)

From East HS in Colorado to Cal, Golla has been a stalwart lock, a captain, a leader, and an example. Narrowly beaten for the Rudy Scholz Award in 2022, Golla instead became the MLR Rookie of the Year in 2023. He works hard, wins lineups and scrums, and plays D. 

Vili Helu (Rugby ATL, 3 caps)

Rugby ATL won’t be Rugby ATL much longer as they are moving, but Helu, is versatile. He can play No. 8 or flanker, and the rangy, open-field game he developed at Saint Mary’s fits in nicely with the talent in the pack. He’s another Cam Dolan, and just hitting his stride.

Jack Iscaro (Old Glory DC, 2 caps)

The Gonzaga College HS and Cal prop seemed to be waiting and waiting to get capped. Always considered one of the best front-rowers in whatever competition he played in, Iscaro didn’t really get a look until last year. Maybe he just needed some time, or others did. 

Peter Malcolm (Seattle Seawolves, 11 caps)

Malcolm made his Eagles debut in 2017, and yet has only been capped 11 times. A hooker who can get around the field and score tries, Malcolm played for Trojan RFC in Florida as a high schooler and then what is now called Wheeling University (but at the time was Wheeling Jesuit). He’s a product of the USA age-grade system and has been consistently very good for a long time. He’s also been a bit unlucky he didn’t get more time in a USA jumper. He of course has some competition but it's interesting to note that the Eagles have a couple of hooker-prop combination players here. For every #2, lineout throw accuracy has to be paramount.

Paul Mullen  (Utah Warriors, 23 caps)

The quiet, self-assured prop from Ireland who qualifies on residency, just works hard and really has become a key scrum-settler for the USA. If they are having trouble in that area of the game (and against Romania and Georgia they will) he is the man to call.

Greg Peterson (No Current Team, 34 caps)

Another player with an American grandparent, Peterson learned his rugby in Australia and has played professionally in that country, England, Scotland, and France for about 10 years (he just finished up with the Newcastle Falcons). At 6-8 he is an imposing figure at lock and while the consensus in American rugby is to look for American-developed players, Peterson has proved through his work ethic and his tenacity that he’s an Eagle through and through. 

Paddy Ryan (Coventry RFC, 0 caps)

A new Paddy Ryan for the USA, this Ryan is an active back row player who has a high work rate both on and off the field. He plays professionally for Coventry and it's good to see he got the OK to assemble with the Eagles. Ryan grew up in Ireland.

Joe Taufete’e (Houston SaberCats, 33 caps)

The Belmont Shore RFC product is back playing in the USA and has slimmed down some. After being pushed to put on size, Taufete’e didn’t seem to flourish when he got bigger. He was pretty big to start with, and now he seems more mobile, and more comfortable. The hooker who can play prop (or the other way around these days) is mobile, ferocious, and a try-scorer. He was a finalist for World Rugby Player of the Year in 2018, and his 23 tries (in 33 games) for the USA has him only three behind the all-time leader Vaea Anitoni. He is the most prolific try-scorer of any tight-five forward in World Rugby. For the Eagles his return is a very bright light indeed.

Jake Turnbull (Seattle Seawolves, 0 caps)

A strong, fit, hard-nosed prop originally from Sydney, Australia. He moved to the USA in 2015 and achieved sufficient residency to qualify for the USA. He has played over 50 times for four different MLR teams and also played for NYAC and Glendale before then. A cerebral player he has also coached quite a bit and was selected as captain of the USA Selects. He could be an excellent locker room addition as well as an on-field asset.

Thomas Tu'avao (Utah Warriors, 0 caps)

Grew up playing rugby league in the North of England, then moved to California and played football. Now a flanker with the Utah Warriors. Big, strong, and liked to hit.

Luke White (Chicago Hounds, 0 caps)

Another Australia who achieved USA eligibility through residency (with the advent of the MLR we will see more of these), White is fairly tall (6-3) for a prop, which is where he used to be listed, and a bit short for a lock, which is also where he used tobe listed, so we're not sure what he will play for the USA. But is durable and experienced.

Bailey Wilson (Utah Warriors, 0 caps)

Born in Australia but a product of the American system as he played for Lone Peak and United in Utah as a high schooler and captained the HS All Americans and USA U19s. He played at Utah Valley University and has been the Utah Warriors’ captain for the last three years. A smooth No. 8 who loves to play defense he’s got skills.

Takaji Young Yen (Utah Warriors, 0 caps)

A tighthead prop who learned his rugby in New Zealand but was born in Utah, Young Yen played rugby at the University of Auckland and at 23 is quite young for an international prop. This is an excellent chance for him to shine.