MEN'S RUGBY AT THE PAN AM GAMES

Preview


The U.S. Men’s Sevens had a shorter break this summer offseason than the women's squad as they trained to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the 2023 RAN Sevens tournament this August. With recovery for the senior players in mind, the squad will be sending a younger development team to the 2023 Pan American Games.


This young team, captained by Faitala Talapusi, is representing the future of USA Rugby with a development focus on the on Los Angeles Games in 2028. It will also be a chance for some players on this roster to show their strengths and open a door for roster selection for Paris 2024.


The 2023 Pan American Games will be the first tournament for the men’s squad since qualifying for Paris. The entire team will return to camp on Oct. 2 with a few familiar Olympic names returning to the playing pitch. With the ultimate goal of medaling at Paris 2024, this season will be all about finding the best players in the best positions to create the best playing opportunities.

Storylines For Paris 2024


  • Perry Baker's Plan to Retire — U.S. Men’s Sevens legend Perry Baker, two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, has been very vocal about this being his last year playing on the sevens pitch. He plans to retire after Paris 2024, leaving a historic legacy for Team USA.
  • A Potential First Medal Since 1924 — If either men's or women's team medals at Paris 2024, it will be the first Team USA medal in rugby since securing back-to-back gold medals in 1920 and 1924. It will be the first U.S. medal in the event since rugby returned in 2016.

Athletes To Watch In Santiago

  • Lorenzo Thomas — Lorenzo Thomas returns to residency after several years. He played in the Pan American Games Lima 2019 and will return to the 2023 Pan American Games, hoping tomake a comeback. He will shine light on the complex supplement procedures for young, high-performance athletes.
  • Faitala Talapusi — Picked as Team Captain for the Pan Am Games, Talapusi is an experienced fullback who can take command of a team with his bruising play. He made his international Sevens debut in 2018.

Men's Rugby Roster

The roster was chosen with development in mind following a few club-level tournaments. Many of these players are young or brand new to the Eagles.

  • Orrin Bizer

    • Age: 23
    • Position: Forward/Prop
      • Responsible for winning set-pieces (restarts, scrums and lineouts)

  • Noah Brown

    • Age: 22
    • Position: Center
      • Responsible for being a strong ball carrier who can bring the ball into contact to take out opposition defenders
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  • Nick Hardrict

    • Age: 21
    • Position: Winger
      • Responsible for playing on the outside and using speed to score

  • Lucas Lacamp

    • Age: 22
    • Position: Center
      • Responsible for being a strong ball carrier who can bring the ball into contact to take out opposition defenders
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  • Ryan Santos

    • Age: 23
    • Position: Forward/Prop
      • Responsible for winning set-pieces (restarts, scrums and lineouts)
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  • Faitala Talapusi (Captain)

    • Age: 23
    • Position: Fullback
      • Responsible for tackling opposing players and gathering in kicks
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  • Lorenzo Thomas

    • Age: 26
    • Position: Center
      • Responsible for being a strong ball carrier who can bring the ball into contact to take out opposition defenders

  • Tucker Trickey

    • Age: 22
    • Position: Scrum-half
      • Responsible for being the link between the forward and back lines. Feeds the ball into the scrum and is one of the team's top playmakers

  • Pita Vi

    • Age: 21
    • Position: Center,Wing
      • Responsible for being a strong ball carrier or playing on the outside and looking to score
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  • Sam Walsh

    • Age: 24
    • Position: Fly-Half
      • Responsible for receiving the ball from the scrum-half and forcing opponents to run wide into the defense

  • Jack Wendling

    • Age: 24
    • Position: Center/Prop
      • Responsible for being a strong ball carrier and receiving set-peices.

  • Darrell Williams

    • Age: 25
    • Position: Winger
      • Responsible for playing on the outside and using speed to score