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The USA The Eagles called up two players to the team ahead of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 Semi-Finals, with Caleb Geiger and Willy Helu joining the team in Japan as cover for the injured trio.
USA Rugby announced ahead of the semi-final clash with Japan’s Brave Blossoms in Osaka that Geiger and Helu were included in the squad as cover for injuries to Campbell Robb, Ma’ake Muti and Brandon Harvey.
Geiger is a two-time league leader Rugby Championship winner with New England Free Jacks and is coming off another strong season with nine appearances. The front-rower last represented the Eagles in November, appearing in the rush against Scotland, Georgia and Romania.
Helu is another Eagle who started against Six Nations side Scotland at Murrayfield on 2 November 2025, named at blindside flanker. The latter was benched for the next two Tests and is coming off a strong season with Kurita Water Gush in Japan’s third division.
Of the three injured Eagles, Harvey is the most experienced at Test level. Harvey played in all three matches during the brand new Nations Rugby World Cup in July, and backed it up with a 34-minute substitution off the bench for the USA XV in Miami.
Muti was another impact player in the USA XV’s thrilling one-point win over an Argentina XV, but the front-rower is yet to make his Test debut. Robb also remained unrestricted but was named the 2026 MLR Rookie of the Year after impressing for Anthem Rugby Carolina.
USA coach Scott Lawrence has named a 23-man roster to face Japan this weekend, with Jason Damm as the second-row captain. Dammu will be partnered by Australian-born Nathan Den Hoedt, who made his debut for the Eagles in July.
Payton Telea-Ilalio packs on the loose brace, joined up front by Shilo Klein and Tonga Buckets. Former Rugby World Player of the Year candidate Joe Taugete is among the first players looking to make an impact off the bench.
in the back row, Seattle Seawolves Enforcer Marno Redelinghuys has been selected at blindside flanker, with Paddy Ryan holding the starting spot in the open. Makeen Alikhan rounds out the loose forwards as No.8.
Ruben de Haas and Chris Hilsenbeck are again the starting halves, with Dominic Besag and Tavite Lopeti in the centres. Noah Brown starts on one wing, with Mark O’Keeffe on the other and Mitch Wilson at fullback.
“I think Joe has had a huge impact since he’s been here. (His) experience just can’t be had, so you have to live in the trenches a little bit, so Joe’s experience is welcome in the environment,” Lawrence told reporters when asked about Taufete.
“He knows how to play in these big moments and that’s why you trust him to do it.”
Lawrence added: “We’re a year away from being where we want to be. We’ve got work to do, but we’re three months ahead of where we were three months ago.”
“There’s a plan to go towards the World Cup. I think we’re ahead in some areas, I think we’re behind in some areas. All in all, relatively on track.”
The USA Eagles will take on Japan
- Payton Telea-Ilialio
- Shiloh Klein
- South Coffee
- Jason Damm (c)
- Nathan Den Hoedt
- Marno Redelinghuys
- Paddy Ryan
- Makeen Alikhan
- Ruben de Haas
- Chris Hilsenbeck
- Noah Brown
- Dominic Besag
- David Lobet
- Mark O’Keeffe
- Mitch Wilson
Substitutions
16. Joe Trample
17. Philatelic Bible
18. Alex Maughan
19. Sam Golla
20. Benjamin Bonasso
21. Michael Baska
22. Luke Carty
23. Julian Roberts