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pacific-nations-cup
Former candidate for the best player in the world in rugby Joe Taufete’e is among the 30 Major League Rugby players listed in USA squad for the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup, which begins this weekend with a double header in Osaka.
Taufete’e was nominated for the most prestigious individual honor in men’s rugby after playing four matches for the USA at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, but the award went to Springboks forward Pieter-Steph du Toit.
The hooker spent time with several MLR clubs, starting with the LA Giltini, the Houston SaberCats, Seattle Seawolves and NOLA Gold. But recently he helped Taufete California Legion reached the championship game a few months ago.
California was defeated in the big dance by the Chicago Hounds, who secured an unprecedented season. Chicago is the most represented MLR team on the latest USA team, with nine championship winners from the select Hounds.
Ruben de Haas was an integral member of Chicago’s run to the championship and the scrum-half continues to play an important role for the national team – starting in all three matches in the brand new Rugby World Cup.
Australian-born Nathan Den Hoedt made his US debut in July and then featured for the US XV in a win over Argentina XV. Fakaosifolia Pifeleti, Bandon Harvey, Michael Baska, Chris Hilsenbeck, Tavite Lopeti, Mark O’Keeffe and Noah Brown are the other Chicago players.
MLR runners-up Legion have six players on Team USA, including former NFL draftee Cass Malui, who was picked up by New England Patriots. USA captain Jason Damm is an essential member of the American team as they prepare for battle Japan in Osaka on September 12.
Seattle Seawolves back Marno Redelinghuys scored a try for the USA XV last month and the loose forward has been rewarded with a spot in the Eagles squad. There are also some others from the Seawolves, namely Paddy Ryan and Mason Pedersen.
MLR is well represented with around 94 per cent of the Eagles – including development player Davy Coetzer – playing against PNC hosts Japan this weekend. The winner will face the winner Fiji and Canada in the PNC Finals a week later in Tokyo.
“Japan is a Nations Championship a team that will be a big step forward for us in terms of their speed of play, physicality and overall accuracy. Going into this next five-week block, we are focused on building depth and competition in our team through deliberate improvements in individual and collective performance,” said USA coach Scott Lawrence.
“Every player has the opportunity to grow, develop and demonstrate that they can perform at this level, and we are excited to see how this home group will continue to develop through the challenge that Japan will provide.”
30 American Major League Rugby Players
Forward
- Payton Telea-Ilialio
- Philatelic navigator
- Ma’ake Muti
- Campbell Robb
- Run Joe
- Tonga Coffee
- Alex Maughan
- Mason Pedersen
- Nathan Den Hoedt
- Jason Dam
- Brandon Harvey
- Sam Golla
- Benjamin Bonasso
- Paddy Ryan
- Makeen Alikhan
- Marno Redelinghuys
- Lance Williams
The back
- Ruben de Haas
- Ethan McVeigh
- Michael Baska
- Luke Carty
- Chris Hilsenbeck
- Davy Coetzer — development player
- David Lobet
- Tom Pittman
- Safe Cash
- Julian Roberts
- Mark O’Keeffe
- Noah Brown
- Mitch Wilson