Eagles Depth-Chart: Prop

Starting today we are going to take a look at the Eagles depth chart position by position ahead of the autumn internationals. At the end of our series we’ll predict who we think will make the Eagles touring squad. Today we examine the props.

It’s no secret that the scrum has given the Eagles the most trouble over the last few years and that if they want to move up the Tier II rankings they are going to have to get stronger. While the team showed improvement over the summer, it still has a long way to go if it wants to get results against Tier I teams. The good news is that the Eagles have a pretty deep group of props to choose from, ranging from Americans playing overseas to college players and in between. This group also includes veterans as well as some exciting up and comers. Take the jump to see our list and analysis.


Eric Fry: There are no automatic starters among the U.S. prop core, but there are a couple that are close to it. Eric Fry showed tremendous improvement last summer thanks to his time in New Zealand. Now he’s playing in the ITM Cup with Manawatu and reportedly doing well. If he continues to improve he can lock down a spot at #1 or #3 for the next four years.

Shawn Pittman: Pittman would usually be considered an automatic starter, but some injuries and release from London Welsh have meant that he hasn’t played since the summer. When healthy, Pittman is an excellent runner and fairly strong in the pack. However, it has to be concerning that he hasn’t been able to find a club and that could jeopardize his chances of starting this fall. Even if he can’t find a club he will be on the team.

Mike MacDonald: There has been no better prop over the last ten years for the Eagles than MacDonald. Despite constant reminders of his age, he continues to silence his critics with strong performances (look at last year’s World Cup). However, injuries have caught up with MacDonald and he has spent the offseason rehabbing in Northern California. If he can get fully healthy and return to form, he is a definite inclusion on the Eagles roster and likely starter.

Andre Liufau: The former University of Utah football player is a physical specimen that definitely has the tools to succeed on the international stage, but still needs more time to develop his skills. Playing in France with L’Uson (Nevers) has only improved his skills, but visa problems have now ruled out playing in France this year. Like Pittman, it’s worrying that a young player currently isn’t getting weekly experience on the pitch but at least Pittman has plenty of experience. Liufau does not. Fans should still expect to see Liufau in the fall, or at least competing for a position, but he would be well-served to find some consistent playing time.

Mate Moeakiola: Like MacDonald, attempts to write Moeakiola as too old have been unsuccessful. It seems that every cycle he is counted out only to be brought in as a replacement or last minute addition. The reason: he is an excellent prop. Moeakiola is extremely strong (could use improvement in the scrum though) and is an excellent runner for his size. He is also one of the few props to get consistent playing time over his career. Over the summer he joined Liufau at L’Uson, a move that only increases his chance of playing for the Eagles again.

Anthony Purpura: After being left out of the national team picture in the last couple of years, Tony Purpura has been given a lifeline and included in Mike Tolkin’s Americas Rugby Championship team. The biggest question with Purpura is whether his skills will transfer over from the club game to the international game. If he can make an impact at the ARC, he may get his shot.

Tim Paulsen: Another player called into the ARC is Tim Paulsen. The Chicago Griffin was called into last summer’s assembly, but ultimately didn’t make the team. Unlike some of the other domestic props, he has experience overseas playing with the Sale Jets. That doesn’t mean that he is going to leap-frog over some other players as a result, it just means that he has gone out and tried to find ways of improving himself. You have to love that kind of attitude. Like Purpura, a strong showing at the ARC could see him push past a player like Moeakiola or Liufau.

Nick Wallace: The last prop called into the ARC is Nick Wallace, who is a standout player for St. Mary’s. Wallace has a lot of potential and was probably one of the two best props in college rugby last year, but he may not be ready for the Eagles. The ARC will be his first time tasting international competition not at the age-grade level, and if he plays well, that may give Tolkin incentive to push his development more rapidly.

Ray Forrester: The other best prop in college rugby last year was BYU’s Ray Forrester. Originally from New Zealand, Forrester qualifies for the U.S. through residency. He was called into Eagles camp to be given a look last summer but was not included in the ARC. This may be due to school or family commitments, or for any other reason, but he still deserves consideration.

Dave Ryan: The U.S.-qualified player was invited to the Eagles summer assembly after playing well for Lazio in the Italian Super 10, but he then punked the team by not showing up to the assembly, signing a contract with new RaboDirect Pro12 club Zebre instead. A move like that isn’t going to win anyone friends, especially with the Eagles coaching staff, but he still can’t be ruled out of consideration. Any player that is playing regularly for a RaboDirect Pro12 should be considered, but unless he is willing to demonstrate a desire to play for the Eagles, he shouldn’t be given a chance.

Callum Black: Like Ryan, Black is a U.S.-qualified player in the RaboDirect Pro12. Apparently he hasn’t rejected the idea of a call-up to the Eagles, but how that might change his status with Ulster is something to consider. If he were to play with the Eagles he would then count as a foreign player on Ulster’s roster and that could ultimately cost him a job. Is playing for the Eagles worth that? If he were to accept an Eagles call-up, Black would almost instantly become a first choice prop. He is a great scrummager and would really help the Eagles in that department.

Anthony Estrella: When most fans think of Americans in Japan they think of Todd Clever. However, Anthony Estrella has also been plying his trade there the last several years. Estrella, who is Japanese-American and an All-American at Cal, has been playing and working with the Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus. After several years of training but not appearing for the team, he has finally received his chance this season mostly as a reserve. As the quality of the Top League continues to increase, Estrella’s ability to get playing time is a strong indicator of his abilities. His opportunity may not come this fall, but you would have to think with a strong season in Japan, a call-up wouldn’t be far off.

Overall, that’s twelve players that could challenge for what should be four to five prop spots on the autumn roster. So who has the inside track? As it stands, Eric Fry has to be penciled in as a starter due to his strong form for Manawatu. Next to him should be Mike MacDonald if he is healthy. Behind the two expect to see Shawn Pittman back on the team. He is still an excellent player and one that will be hungry to prove he deserves a pro contract.

On the flip side, don’t expect Ryan or Black to get called in. More than likely they would be brought in during the summer. Calling them in now might jeopardize their pro contracts. The same could be said about Estrella, who also risks his status and could hurt his position on Toshiba by missing crucial matches. After getting time off from school to play in the ARC, it’s also hard to see Wallace doing the same in November. Plus, he’s still a little raw for full internationals.

That leaves Liufau, Moeakiola, Purpura, Forrester, and Paulsen challenging for two spots. Of these three, Moeakiola is the only one currently playing regularly at a pretty high level. Plus, he is already in Europe, making his acclimatization easier. While it wouldn’t be surprising to see him called in, Andre Liufau makes more sense. He’s younger and brings many of the same qualities. The Eagles need to build for the future and getting Liufau more experience is only going to help. The real battle is between Purpura, Forrester, and Paulsen. Forrester’s non-inclusion on the ARC roster probably means he is on the outside looking in, so it comes down to Paulsen and Purpura. As it currently stands, Paulsen would seem to have the inside track, but that could change at the ARC.

So to recap, here are the five props we think will be on the autumn roster: Fry, MacDonald, Pittman, Liufau, and Paulsen.