Geiger and Helu called up as USA Eagles name squad to face Japan in Pacific Nations Cup semi-final

Kaleb Geiger and Vili Helu have been drafted into the USA Eagles squad as injury cover ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup 2026 semi-final against Japan’s Brave Blossoms in Osaka, with Campbell Robb, Ma’ake Muti and Brandon Harvey all sidelined.

USA Rugby confirmed the call-ups on the eve of the clash, with head coach Scott Lawrence naming a 23-man roster captained by second-row Jason Damm, who will be partnered by Australian-born Nathan Den Hoedt.

Geiger, a front-rower and two-time Major League Rugby Championship winner with the New England Free Jacks, last wore the Eagles jersey in November, starting against Scotland, Georgia and Romania. Helu, a backrow forward who also featured against Scotland at Murrayfield on 2 November 2025, is coming off a strong season with Kurita Water Gush in Japan’s third division.

Of the injured trio, Brandon Harvey is the most experienced at Test level, having played in all three matches during the World Rugby Nations Cup in July before adding a 34-minute cameo for the USA XV in Miami. Muti made an impact in the USA XV’s one-point win over an Argentina XV but is yet to earn a senior cap. Robb, also uncapped, was named the 2026 MLR Rookie of the Year after impressing for Anthem Rugby Carolina.

In the forwards, Payton Telea-Ilalio starts at loosehead prop alongside Shilo Klein and Tonga Kofe, while former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Joe Taufete’e is among those looking to make an impact from the bench. Marno Redelinghuys starts at blindside flanker, Paddy Ryan at openside, and Makeen Alikhan wears the No. 8 shirt.

Ruben de Haas and Chris Hilsenbeck start at half-back, with Dominic Besag and Tavite Lopeti in the centres. Noah Brown and Mark O’Keeffe start on the wings, with Mitch Wilson at fullback.

Lawrence spoke warmly about Taufete’e’s influence on the group. “I think Joe’s been an enormous influence since he’s been here. Experience is just can’t get — you’ve got to live in the trenches a little bit, so Joe’s experience is welcome into the environment,” he said. “He knows how to play in these big moments and so you trust him to do that.”

The coach also offered a measured assessment of where the programme stands. “We’re a year away from being where we want to be. We’ve got some work to do but we’re three months ahead of where we were three months ago,” Lawrence added.