Ex-Patriots linebacker Maluia closing in on USA Eagles debut after strong MLR campaign

Former New England Patriots linebacker Cassh Maluia is edging closer to a USA Eagles Test debut, with head coach Scott Lawrence confirming the 2020 NFL draftee is pushing hard for selection during the World Rugby Nations Cup.

Maluia was not named in the matchday 23 for the Eagles’ third Nations Cup Test against Rugby World Cup-bound Spain in Cary, North Carolina, but Lawrence made clear the 27-year-old centre’s first cap is approaching. The Wyoming product was drafted by Bill Belichick six years ago and has since made the transition to rugby union, earning a national squad call-up after a standout Major League Rugby season with the California Legion — a campaign that ended with the franchise reaching the final against the Chicago Hounds.

“He’s pushing. Similar to Julian, it’s a timing of when we introduce them,” Lawrence said. “I think he offers something a little different, as you can imagine with his size and athleticism. He’s close, he’s pushing; there’s some areas of his game we’d like to see him develop a little bit more.”

Lawrence pointed to the physical demands of rugby as the primary hurdle for crossover athletes. “One thing we find with our crossover athletes is it never happens as fast as you want in terms of the change in their ability to do repeated efforts in rugby versus power sports. That’s usually one of the longer-tail things. He’s working hard on the field and in the gym and he’s getting extras and he’ll make his debut soon enough.”

With Maluia waiting, Julian Roberts will start at centre against Spain — just two weeks after debuting in a 30-29 thriller against Portugal. Roberts was held on the bench for the Zimbabwe match but steps into the starting side this week, while Tavite Lopeti shifts from the run-on team to the replacements. Luke Carty, who was influential in the Zimbabwe victory, is also retained.

The selection decisions are being made with a clear eye on the 2026 Rugby World Cup, where the USA will return to the sport’s biggest stage after missing the 2023 tournament. The Eagles have been drawn in a pool alongside France, Japan and Samoa.

“One of the objectives for the year is to build a depth chart to go to the World Cup. We need to build depth in our backline, and in particular our centres,” Lawrence said.