Congrats to TRU members Metcalf, Diaz and Mills!
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BOULDER, Colo. – Following several days of skill development and training for the U.S. High School All-Americans and Under-20 National Team, USA Rugby will be holding two age-grade double-headers at Harder Stadium at the University of California – Santa Barbara, on Jan. 1-3.
Training kicks off today in Southern California for both sides and aims to prepare the High School All-Americans as they will face the Canadian Under-17s side at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1 and 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3. The elder National Team, the USA Under-20s will face off against the New Zealand Universities Under-21s just following the prior matches at 3 p.m. and 1 p.m. (PST) on both of the aforementioned dates.
“Skill development is and always has been the primary focus of these programs,” USA Under-20s Head Coach Ray Lehner said. “We will look to build on the success of our July assembly and thus, attacking continuity and defense, are the two main skill areas we continue to focus on.
“The NZ Under-21s will be a great side,” Lehner added. “Having competition against quality opposition at the end of camp is a luxury, but we must be true to our program goals, so match preparation will remain subordinate to skill development.”
In addition to the two age-grade rugby teams, the Santa Barbara Academy side will also be hosting a training camp in conjunction with the USA Rugby National sides.
Both camps are being held over winter break in an effort to align the age-grade programs more closely with the scholastic and sporting calendar.
Invitations to this New Years camp have come from the summer camp standouts, National Championship and Regional All-Star Tournaments and coaching recommendations from around the country.
For more information on USA Rugby’s Age-Grade Program, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/national_teams.
Match dates/times and details
All matches will be played in Harder Stadium (Soccer Stadium at UCSB)
Friday, Jan. 1
1 p.m.: USA High School All-Americans vs. Canada U-17s.
3 p.m.: USA U-20s vs. NZ Universities U-21s
Sunday, Jan 3
11 a.m.: USA High School All-Americans vs. Canada U-17s.
1 p.m.: USA U-20s vs. NZ Universities U-21s
High School All-Americans
Antoine Bailey (Shawnigan Lake School)
Daniel Beckerman (Shawnigan Lake School)
Matias Cima (Gonzaga High School)
Oliver Cregg (SoCal Gators)
Patrick Coleman (Xavier H.S.)
Paul Drake (Aurora Saracens)
Michael Durant (Boston College H.S.)
Cameron Falcon (Shaw Rugby Football Club)
Tommy Flynn, (Cobham RFC)
Mate Hausia (Diablo Youth)
Sione Hausia (Diablo Youth)
Sean Herbert (Cobham RFC)
Madison Hughes (Wellington College/Cobham RFC)
Chuck Koehler (Pulaski RFC)
Will Magie (Ealing RFC)
Ian Mann (Worthington)
Jonathon Marshall (Highlanders RFC)
Daniel Metcalf (Jesuit, Dallas) ***
Jesse Milne (PITS)
Travis Moscone (PITS)
Cody Nugent (Hartford Wanderers/Cheshire RFC)
Drew Ohmann (Union County Lions)
Adam Sandstrom (Lake County RFC)
Tre’von Smith (St. Edward H.S.)
Ozzy Sombo (East Meck)
Caleb Tracey ( Portland (Maine) RFC)
Will Turner (Shawnigan Lake School)
U.S. Under-20s
Naki Angilau (University of Utah)
Tim Barford (Loughborough Students)
Jared Braun (California Golden Bears)
Tyler Colin (California Golden Bears)
Joe Cowley (Charlotte RFC)
Brendan Daly (California Golden Bears)
Kyle Denham (University of Utah)
Tiann De Nysschen (Birmingham Rugby Club)
Andres Diaz (Texas A&M University) ***
Randy Don Pati (University of Utah)
Dimitri Efithimiouiu (Mystic River)
Will Farrell (Alpharetta Rugby Club)
Brendan Gray (Boca Raton Rugby Club)
Kevin Herrera (Olympic Club)
Andrew Jackson (Santa Barbara Rugby Academy)
James Bubba Jones (St. Mary’s)
Seamus Kelly (California Golden Bears)
Brandon Kraft (California Golden Bears)
Ben Landry (UW Platteville)
Patric Latu (San Mateo)
Connor Mills (Texas A&M University) ***
Vladislav Mnatsakanov (Valley RFC)
Michael Oliver (Old Alleynians)
Lukas Rogusky (Georgia Southern University)
Sam Sirrell (University of California – Los Angeles)
David Tameilau (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Jose Valedez (Santa Barbara Rugby Academy)