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Former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee named in USA’s PNC squad
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2019 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Joe Taufete’e has been named in the USA Eagles roster for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup in Japan, overcoming an injury in time for the two-Test tournament.
Taufete’e was once shortlisted for the top individual prize in men’s 15s rugby alongside England flanker Tom Curry, All Blacks backrower Ardie Savea, Springboks flyer Cheslin Kolbe, Wales great Alun Wyn Jones, and award winner Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The hooker is coming off a strong Major League Rugby campaign with finalists California Legion, but he hasn’t suited up for the Eagles since August 6, 2023, then coming off the bench in a 31-17 win over Romania.
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USA coach Scott Lawrence has selected a 32-player squad for the PNC, while another 14 have been listed as reserves. Reigning MLR champions Chicago Hounds are the most-represented club with eight, while there are seven Eagles from the Legion.
The USA secured three wins from as many matches during the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup fixtures in July, overcoming Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027-bound sides Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain.
While it was a non-Test match, an Eagles-heavy USA XV side recently recorded a thrilling win over an Argentina XV at Inter Miami FC Stadium. Jason Damm captained the side that evening and will lead the Eagles over in Japan.
The USA kick off their PNC campaign against home side Japan in Osaka, before the event heads to Tokyo for the third-place playoff and Grand Final. Win or lose, the Eagles will face either Fiji or Canada in one of those matches.
“Japan is a Nations Championship team that will be a big step up for us in terms of their speed of play, physicality, and overall accuracy,” Lawrence said.
“Going into this next five-week block, we’re focused on building depth and competition across our squad through intentional improvements in individual and collective performance.”
“Every player has an opportunity to grow, develop, and demonstrate that they can perform at this level, and we’re excited to see how this domestic-based group continues to develop through the challenge Japan will provide.”
USA Eagles Pacific Nations Cup 2026 schedule
Semi-final vs Japan on Saturday, September 12 at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Finals day vs Fiji/Canada on Saturday, September 19 at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium
USA Eagles Pacific Nations Cup 2026 roster
Payton Telea-Ilalio — Unattached
Fakaosifolau Pifeleti — Chicago Hounds
Ma’ake Muti — California Legion
Shilo Klein — Unattached
Joe Taufete?e — California Legion
Campbell Robb — Unattached
Alex Maughan — Unattached
Tonga Kofe — California Legion
Mason Pedersen — Seattle Seawolves
Nathan Den Hoedt — Chicago Hounds
Jason Damm (c) — California Legion
Brandon Harvey — Chicago Hounds
Sam Golla — Unattached
Benjamin Bonasso — Old Glory DC
Paddy Ryan — Seattle Seawolves
Makeen Alikhan — Unattached
Marno Redelinghuys — Seattle Seawolves
Lance Williams — California Legion
Ruben De Haas — Chicago Hounds
Ethan McVeigh — New England Free Jacks
Michael Baska — Chicago Hounds
Luke Carty — Unattached
Chris Hilsenbeck — Chicago Hounds
Davie Coetzer* — Seattle Seawolves
Tavite Lopeti — Chicago Hounds
Tom Pittman — Unattached
Cassh Maliua — California Legion
Dom Besag — St. Mary’s College
Julian Roberts — Unattached
Mark O’Keeffe — Chicago Hounds
Noah Brown — Chicago Hounds
Mitch Wilson — New England Free Jacks
*Developmental player
Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Reserves
Justus Tavai — California Legion
Rick Rose — Old Glory DC
Vili Helu — Kurita Water Gush
Tomas Casares — Chicago Hounds
Aidan King — Doncaster Knights
Christian Poidevin — California Legion
Kaleb Geiger — New England Free Jacks
John Rizzo — Old Glory DC
Tevita Naqali — Old Glory DC
Ish Safodien — Unattached
Dan Kriel* — Seattle Seawolves
Oscar Treacy — California Legion
Steff Crimp — California Legion
Dane Mitchell — Sydney University
*Developmental player
Players unavailable for selection due to injury or availability
Jack Iscaro
David Ainu’u
Joe Mano
Zion Going
Kapeli Pifeleti
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Sean McNulty
Rhyno Herbst
Nafi Ma’afu
Cory Daniel
Will Sherman
Jamason Fa’anana Schultz
Charlie Abel
AJ MacGinty
Jack Walsh
Rufus McLean
Wayne Van Der Bank*
Erich Storti
Spencer Huntley*
Conner Mooneyham
Ryan James
Perry Mayo
Peyton Wall
*Developmental player
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