VICTORIA, B.C. – The USA Hawks Coach Marty Wiggins named the lineup for their North America 4 Match against Canada West at 5:15 p.m. PDT on Tuesday at the Shawnigan Lake School near Victoria, British Columbia.

The Hawks, which are coming off a tough loss against their national rival, the Falcons, now look to clinch their first win against the undefeated Canada West side.

 “We are definitely seeing improvement throughout this week of training,” Coach Wiggins said. “Some players are excelling more than others, of course, but in order to move forward and have a basis for selection, you have to see everyone in a game situation. Practice is only a part of it. Scrummage isn’t the same in practice as it is in a match and although we try to work our practice environment to simulate what it would be like in a match, it’s never completely the same.”

The Hawks will, in turn, put in a new starting front row with Brian Olmes, Phil Theil and Brian Lemay stepping into the top three positions, respectively. The locks remain the same as last week’s match against the Falcons, but the back row will include Josh Dean starting at blindside and Pat Quinn in at No. 8. Phil Abraham, Jon Vitale, James Denise and Travis Meidinger are all slotted as forward reserves.

As for the back line, Brendan Thompson moves into the scrumhalf position, while Owen Collins moves over to the wing, Keiki Misipeka starts in the inside center position and Mike Graham compliments him at outside center. Justin Boyd will again see a start at the other wing, while Justin Hundley enters the starting lineup as fullback. Steven Sablan, Shawn Rafferty and Mike Petri are on the bench as reserves.

“We have named a new captain for this match since Mike Petri has been gone for the past few days to a prior family commitment,” Wiggins explained. “John Van der Giessen takes over the captain role and has really stepped up. Both Josh Dean and Nic Johnson have also come into their own.

“In the back line, Brendan Thompson, who is starting at scrumhalf, has been very impressive at this level, and we’re looking forward to seeing Taylor Howden for the first time,” Wiggins added.

USA Hawks Lineup

15. Justin Hundley (NYAC)
14. Justin Boyd (Dallas Harlequins)
13. Mike Graham (Glendale Raptors)
12. Keiki Misipeka (Pearl City)
11. Owen Collins (Boston Irish Wolfhounds)
10. Taylor Howden (Glendale Raptors)
9. Brendan Thompson (Life University)

1. Brian Olmes (PAC)
2. Phil Thiel (Life University)
3. Brian Lemay (Boston Irish Wolfhounds)
4. Brian Doyle (NYAC)
5. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
6. Josh Dean (Air Force)
7. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
8. Pat Quinn (Denver Barbarians)

16. Phil Abraham (Chicago Lions)
17. Jon Vitale (Chicago Lions)
18. James Denise (NYAC)
19. Travis Meidinger (Denver Barbarians)
20. Steven Sablan (PAC)
21. Shawn Rafferty (NYAC)
22. Mike Petri (NYAC)

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