2018 Americas Pacific Challenge

USA Selects Named For APC Opener

USA Selects Named For APC Opener

The USA Selects lineup is set for the APC Round 1.

Oct 5, 2018 by Alex Goff
Miss Pass APC Special #1: The Pack

MONTEVIDEO, URU.- Men's Selects' Head Coach Scott Lawrence has named his matchday 23 to face Tonga A this Saturday at 12:30 PM ET, 11:30 AM CT in the opening match of the Americas Pacific Challenge (APC) 2018, LIVE on FloRugby.

The full team will consist of 11 capped Men's Eagles, 10 returners from the 2017 tournament, three 2018 First Team Men's Collegiate All-Americans and three recent collegiate or professional rugby champions.

Watch the APC LIVE on FloRugby

The developmental tournament will feature six teams all gunning heavily to expose new waves of players to international competition ahead of Rugby World Cup Japan 2019. With less than one year until the World Cup and just weeks from final selections for the November Internationals, athletes from all sides will be heavily focused on delivering standout performances.

"We've had a focused few days together and it's been encouraging to see the men self-organize. We know tomorrow's match with Tonga A will be well-contested and are looking forward to putting the week's hard work into action," said Head Coach Scott Lawrence.


Miss Pass: USA Selects Backs



Leading the team as Captain is San Diego Legion's Conor Kearns who will make his first-ever appearance with the Men's Selects. Kearns is no stranger to the USA Rugby pathway having earned All-American honors at both the Junior and Collegiate levels in 2013 and 2016, respectively. His experience competing at the professional level with Major League Rugby coupled with his international appearances from previous All-American tours will undoubtedly be a benefit to the entire playing group.

Kearns is joined by 2018 Collegiate All-Americans Chance Wenglewski, Alex Maughan and Mitch Wilson. Maughan and Wilson both own 2018 D1A National Championships with Life University and played in the 2017 tournament.

Capped Eagle Psalm Wooching will feature on Saturday after last joining the Men's National Team for the Americas Rugby Championship 2018. Wooching's APC appearance is a valuable stepping stone for his return to the senior international stage, having spent the last several months recovering from injury.

Men's Eagle Angus MacLellan also joins the Selects after Olive Kilifi was held out of consideration due to injury. MacLellan appeared at both the 2016 and 2017 iterations of the APC.

The Men's Selects finished last year's tournament in second-place while Tonga A came in third. After Saturday, the Selects will face Uruguay XV on Oct. 10 before closing out the Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 with reigning champion Argentina XV on Oct. 14. All three games will kick off at 12:30 PM ET and be streamed LIVE on FloRugby.

Men's Selects Starting Roster


Player NamePositionCurrent Club
1. Chance WenglewskiPropLindenwood University
2. Alex MaughanHookerLife University
3. John HaydenPropUnattached
4. Nate BrakeleyLockNYAC / Rugby United New York
5. Taylor KrumreiLockSeattle Seawolves
6. Psalm WoochingFlankerUnattached
7. Hanco GermishuysFlankerAustin Elite
8. Brendan DalyNo. 8San Francisco Golden Gate
9. Nick BoyerScrumhalfSan Diego Legion
10. Conor Kearns (C)FlyhalfSan Diego Legion
11. Mika KruseWingGlendale Raptors
12. Anthony SalaberCenterSan Diego Legion
13. Dylan AudsleyCenterSan Diego Legion
14. Tim MaupinWingNOLA Gold
15. Mitch WilsonFullbackLife University
Men's Selects Reserves

PlayerPositionCurrent Club
16. Pat O'TooleReserveSan Diego Legion
17. Kelepi FifitaReserveGlendale Raptors
18. Angus MacLellanReserveUtah Warriors
19. Matt JensenReserveUtah Warriors
20. Vili Toluta'uReserveSeattle Seawolves
21. Devereaux FerrisReserveLife West Gladiators
22. JP EloffReserveNOLA Gold
23. Ryan MatyasReserveSan Diego Legion






USA Men's Selects Staff

Head Coach | Scott Lawrence

Assistant Coach | David Williams

Assistant Coach | Scott Murray

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan

Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison

Team Doctor | Marc Kowalsky

Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng

Assistant Athletic Trainer | Santiago Aguirre

Team Manager & Operations | Kevin McCorry II