Hawaiian Taufa Joins Eagles Residency

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Pila Taufa, a young player from Hawaii, has signed a contract and has moved full time to the U.S.A. 7's residency program at the Olympic Training Center. Taufa will join Brett Thompson, Mike Te'o and Nate Augsburger on a part-time contract. Eagles 7's head coach Alex Magleby says that those part-time contracts are used for developing players but that the team does not "distinguish on who is what," and that "everybody has a chance to make it."

Taufa was part of the larger training squad brought in by Magleby last January and appeared for the Falcons during the Las Vegas Invitational. Magleby says that he is someone the team has had their on eye for a while. "Pila's been on the bubble the last couple of years. Andy (Katoa) has been keeping a close on him." Magleby went on to reference Taufa's time spent in England training and playing with Bracknell in the South West regional leagues. He also referenced Taufa's time playing rugby league, having represented the U.S. in international compeititon.

According to Magleby, Taufa is six feet three inches tall and can run the 40 meters in 4.8 seconds. After calling him a talent Magleby went on to add that "if Pila is going to get better he's got to be in an environment where he can train everyday." He's still raw and needs to learn the international game but that's what being at the OTC is for.  Overall, Magleby noted that "we're really excited about his future. I think he can be very good."

Taufa's signing brings the number of players training at the OTC to 17--13 full contracts plus the four part-time contracts.