The Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) is a crucial rugby tournament for tier-two nations, and this year, the U.S. men’s rugby team is gearing up to face Canada in their first match in Los Angeles. This tournament is important for teams like the U.S. as it helps improve their playing standards and prepares them for bigger events like the Rugby World Cup.
Looking Ahead to 2027 and 2031
While the 2024 PNC is important, U.S. coach Scott Lawrence is thinking even further ahead. He’s not just focused on qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, but also on building a strong team for the 2031 World Cup, which will be held in the U.S. Lawrence believes the best way to prepare for the 2031 World Cup is by giving young players experience now. That’s why his squad includes five uncapped players, such as Rand Santos, a young fly-half from Cal Berkeley, and Dom Besag, a center from St. Mary’s.
Balancing Experience and New Talent
Lawrence has brought in both experienced and new players to create a balanced team. While some senior players like AJ MacGinty and David Ainu’u are not playing this time due to club commitments, their absence opens the door for new talents like Pono Davis and Cory Daniel. Both Davis and Daniel are “crossover athletes,” meaning they started in other sports (football and wrestling) before switching to rugby.
The Challenge Ahead
The U.S. team faces tough competition in the PNC. They recently lost to Romania and Scotland in summer matches, and while they are favorites to beat Canada, they will need to be at their best to succeed. After Canada, they face Japan, and potentially Fiji, which will be challenging but valuable for their growth.
The Path to the World Cup
For the U.S., qualifying for the 2027 World Cup is more straightforward this time. Beating Canada could be enough to secure a spot. World Rugby is also supporting American rugby through initiatives like Anthem Rugby Carolina, a new team in Major League Rugby (MLR). Although Anthem struggled in their first season, the long-term goal is to develop American talent for the future.
In short, the U.S. rugby team is in a building phase, focusing not just on the present but also on preparing for the 2031 World Cup. The journey will be tough, but with the right mix of experience and new talent, the team is working hard to make its mark on the world stage.
