MLR dominates USA's Pacific Nations Cup squad as Taufete'e earns recall

Thirty of the 30 players named in the USA squad for the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup come from Major League Rugby, underlining the domestic league’s growing influence on the Eagles programme ahead of their opening match against Japan in Osaka on September 12.

Among the most notable inclusions is hooker Joe Taufete’e, who was nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year award after appearing in all four of the USA’s matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup — an honour that ultimately went to Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit. Taufete’e has since played for the LA Giltinis, Houston SaberCats, Seattle Seawolves, and NOLA Gold, and most recently helped California Legion reach the MLR Championship final, where they were beaten by the Chicago Hounds.

Chicago are the most heavily represented club in the squad, with nine players selected from the side that completed an unprecedented undefeated season to claim the title. Scrum-half Ruben de Haas, a key figure in the Hounds’ run to the championship, started all three of the USA’s matches in the World Rugby Nations Cup. Australia-born Nathan Den Hoedt, who debuted for the Eagles in July before featuring for the USA XV against an Argentina XV, is also part of the Chicago contingent alongside Fakaosifolau Pifeleti, Brandon Harvey, Michael Baska, Chris Hilsenbeck, Tavite Lopeti, Mark O’Keeffe, and Noah Brown.

MLR runners-up California Legion contribute six players, including former NFL draftee Cassh Maluia, once picked up by the New England Patriots. USA captain Jason Damm also features as the Eagles prepare for the tournament opener.

Seattle Seawolves back-rower Marno Redelinghuys, who scored a try for the USA XV last month, has earned his place in the squad alongside teammates Paddy Ryan and Mason Pedersen.

The tournament format sees the winner of USA versus Japan face the winner of Fiji versus Canada in the PNC Final in Tokyo a week later.

“Japan is a Nations Championship team that will be a big step up for us in terms of their speed of play, physicality, and overall accuracy,” head coach Scott Lawrence said. “Going into this next five-week block, we’re focused on building depth and competition across our squad through intentional improvements in individual and collective performance. Every player has an opportunity to grow, develop, and demonstrate that they can perform at this level.”