By Austin Willis

A spot in the World Rugby Trophy is on the line as the USA U20s kick off a two-game qualifier series with Canada’s U20s at Texas A&M’s Penberthy Fields in College Station, Texas, tonight at 7 CT.

The junior squads will face each other twice, with the second game taking place at Rice University's Rugby Field in Houston on Saturday, June 16. The series winner moves on to the World Rugby Trophy tournament in Romania on August 24. 

The Junior All-Americans put a 77-0 thumping on the Austin Elite U23s in Round Rock over the weekend and have spent the last week acclimating to the Texas heat. Coach Scott Bracken was pleased with his team’s performance in their tune-up match for the series but has faced challenges in an admittedly tough training camp. 

"Training has been tough with the travel, heat, and humidity but nobody is complaining," Bracken said. "A core principle of our team is that we will never be victims of anything. Our guys just brush the weather aside and get on with business."

Professional Leadership

The squad will lean on its captain, Ruben de Haas, a young American star scrumhalf who has been competing professionally in South Africa with the Free State Cheetahs. 

MORE: De Haas Inks 2-Year Deal With Cheetahs

De Haas has competed with Shaun Davies and Nate Augspurger for the national team job and even demanded the respect of national team head coach Gary Gold, who said, “Ruben de Haas will go hammer and tongs with [Davies and Ausperger.]” De Haas will have to lead his teammates through a hot training camp and also command the attack against Canada.

Another Junior All-American pulled from national team camp for the Canada series is prop David Ainuu, who recently signed with Toulouse. The prop has consistently received national attention since he was 16 years old and will now be one of the biggest factors in the U20s' hopes to qualify for the World Rugby Trophy tournament.

Pressure Game

Other players who need to make an impact include fullback Patrick Madden, a former High School All-American out of Cal Poly who put on a show in the tune-up match against Austin Elite U23s. His attacking ability set up multiple second-half tries for his teammates, and he scored two of his own. Madden was called on to kick for goal for the U20s and did not disappoint. While the team was rarely under pressure in the preliminary match, Madden was able to use his boot to switch the field for the U20s. 

Quinn Perry has been explosive for the Santa Monica men's rugby club in the Pacific Rugby Premiership and was a FloRugby Player of the Week in that league. Former Texas high school star and current University of Arizona talent Bronson Teles will have to set the tone in the pack.

USA U20s Lineup

RESERVES:

Canada U20s Lineup

1. Gavin Kratz – UVIC Vikes (Victoria, BC)
2. Jack McRogers – McMaster University (Toronto, ON)
3. Tyler Rowland – UBC Thunderbirds (Toronto, ON)
4. Quentin James – Perpignan (Vancouver, BC)
5. Reid Davis – Bayside RFC (Surrey, BC)
6. Owain Ruttan – UBC Thunderbirds (Toronto, ON)
7. James O’Neill – Captain, UVIC Vikes (Cochrane, AB)
8. Michael Smith – UBC Thunderbirds (Vancouver, BC)
9. Will Percillier – UBC Thunderbirds (Victoria, BC)
10. Steven Commerford – Brock University (Toronto, ON)
11. Jack McCarthy – Vandals RFC (St, John’s, NL)
12. Kevin Vertkas – UBC Thunderbirds (Toronto, ON)
13. Seth Purdey – UCal at Berkeley (Shawnigan Lake, BC)
14. Elias Ergas – UBC Thunderbirds (Vancouver, BC)
15. Brennig Prevost – UVIC Vikes (Victoria, BC)

RESERVES:
16. Tyler Wong – UVIC Vikes (Vancouver, BC)
17. Emerson Prior – Trent University (Toronto, ON)
18. Stephen Mallard – Swiler’s RFC (St. John’s, NL)
19. Ben Newhook – Vandals RFC (St, John’s, NL)
20. Jackson Matthews – UVIC Vikes (Montreal, QC)
21. Peter Ingoldsby – Exmouth RFC (England)
22. Brock Gallagher – James Bay AA (Edmonton, AB)
23. Mostyn Findley – UVIC Vikes (Regina, SK)