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| Photo: Jeremy Castro |
Prop: Nick Wallace, Olive Kilifi, Titi Lamositele, Eric Fry
As the summer progressed it became clear that Wallace and Kilifi were the preferred starting pair. They weren't perfect and still had issues, especially in the scrum, but in general did okay. The big takeaway from the props was the benching of Eric Fry as his deficiencies in the scrum finally became too much. Fry certainly has the ability to do better and he has talent (as his move to Newcastle demonstrates) but if Shawn Pittman returns to healthy Fry will have to watch over his shoulder.
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Hooker: Phil Thiel, Tom Coolican
Thiel is and will be the continued starter on the team. He provides leadership and has been excellent in multiple facets of the game. Coolican proved his worth over the summer as well and right now has a good lead on Zach Fenoglio. It will likely come down to those two to see who makes it to the World Cup.
Lock: Samu Manoa, Scott LaValla, Lou Stanfill, Hayden Smith, Tai Tuisamoa
This is easily the most packed of any position on the team. They have at least five players--Manoa, LaValla, Stanfill, Smith, and Tuisamoa--that can step in and do a great job starting. They have more that--Nick Civetta, Graham Harriman, Brian Doyle, etc.--that can also come in and provide valuable minutes. That said, from the summer series it was clear that the Manoa and LaValla pairing gave the Eagles a lot of bite. If LaValla is moved into the back-row than Smith is the replacement with Stanfill also being an option. Carrying five locks seems like excess but with the lack of standout options in the back-row and the flexibility of players like Manoa, LaValla, and Stanfill, Tuisamoa makes the team.
Back-row: Todd Clever, Danny Barrett, Kyle Sumsion, John Quill
In terms of starters the back-row is fairly easy to pick. Todd Clever had one of his best summers in years and Cam Dolan is a player for the present and the future. Danny Barrett's emergence during the summer was one of the major stories for the team. He not only brought defensive energy but he injected life into the attack as well. He'll have to replicate his form in the fall but there is no reason why he can't be a starter at the World Cup.
Barrett's emergence aside, the depth at the back-row was missing over the summer. Only Kyle Sumsion really got the chance to play and has cemented himself as a member of the team. There are a number of other contenders for back-up positions, including but not limited to Derek Asbun, John Cullen, John Quill, Liam Murphy, Peter Dahl, Ben Pinkelman, Matt Trouville. If someone truly wants to break through they are going to need to make an impact at the Americas Rugby Championship. Of those players right now we give the nod to Quill.
Scrumhalf: Mike Petri, Shaun Davies
As the summer wore on Petri steadily improved. It certainly wasn't the level the Eagles want their scrumhalf to be at but it wasn't like a year ago. It does say something about the depth of the position when the Eagles consistently did not name a back-up but instead were going to use Shalom Suniula if Petri went down. Nate Augspurger currently leads the group of players for back-up scrumhalf minutes but he didn't make the game day roster all summer. He'll likely need a big ARC to ensure he makes the fall tour. Shaun Davies will similarly need a big ARC to push his way back into the picture. Beyond that it's a situation in which Mike Tolkin and his staff will look to integrate someone like Tom Bliss or Madison Hughes into the fold.
Fly-half: Shalom Suniula, Adam Siddall, Toby L'Estrange
Shalom Suniula did a fantastic job at fly-half and seemed to team up well with Petri. Siddall and L'Estrange had their positive moments at fly-half as well when they had the chance (and some negatives, as did Suniula). This is setting up to be a three-way race. Right now Suniula is in the lead but is Siddall can return to health and play like he did in November, especially with his boot, that may put him over the edge. No matter what happens having three players fight for time at this position is not a bad thing. It doesn't hurt all three players chances of making the World Cup that they can play other positions as well.
Center: Andrew Suniula, Folau Niua, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo
Andrew Suniula, Niua, and Kelly seem to have a lock on the center position. Suniula always seems to start but the pairing of Niua and Kelly did some nice things over the summer. They also had a few defensive miscues that were worrying. Palamo is going to Saracens and if he plays well there that strong form may be enough to bump one of the three down the pecking order. Chad London got a look in the summer but is still on the outside looking in.
Wing: Blaine Scully, Brett Thompson, Tim Maupin, Luke Hume
The wing is another position where there will be a massive fight for playing time with Scully being the only guaranteed starter among the bunch. Thompson did very well against Canada while Maupin and Hume had up and down summers. Still, as things stand they make the World Cup. However, don't rule out some surprises. If Taku Ngwenya rekindles his fire to play for the Eagles and the Eagles want him you could see him back for his third World Cup. Carlin Isles is an intriguing possibility but he would need to see more 15s time. It's possible that another 7s player, maybe Zack Test, decides they want to try and make the World Cup. Miles Craigwell is as steady as they come. This will probably be the most interesting position to watch over the next year.
Fullback: Chris Wyles
When all is said and done after Wyles retires we may look back on him as the greatest Eagle of all time. If he does go down with injury players like Siddall, Scully, Hume, Maupin, and others can play fullback.
Our projected starters:
1. Nick Wallace
2. Phil Thiel
3. Olive Kilifi
4. Samu Manoa
5. Scott LaValla
6. Todd Clever
7. Danny Barrett
8. Cam Dolan
9. Mike Petri
10. Shalom Suniula
11. Brett Thompson
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Folau Niua
14. Blaine Scully
15. Chris Wyles
Bench:
Lamositele, Fry, Coolican, Stanfill, Smith, Tuisamoa, Sumsion, Quill, Davies, Siddall, L'Estrange, Kelly, Palamo, Maupin, Hume