Hawkins Makes 2 Changes for Wellington

RUGBYMag has learned through multiple sources Madison Hughes and Garrett Bender will replace Stephen Tomasin and Nu'u Punimata on the Eagles roster for Wellington. Tomasin suffered a torn ACL Sunday at the LVI, and Punimata is nursing a foot injury.

This is the first call-up for Hughes, a junior at Dartmouth. He, like Bender, impressed while playing for the Falcons at the Las Vegas Invitational. Hughes is currently in his second stint training at the Olympic Training Center. He spend time there under Alex Magleby last season, too.

For Bender, this is his first World Series call-up since 2012. Bender was originally brought into the program by Al Caravelli, but released by Magleby. Hawkins re-signed the Youngbloodz forward and former DII linebacker at the turn of the year.

Despite indications he might put rugby on the shelf to focus on his contract with the Detroit Lions, Carlin Isles will be in Wellington. Isles started just one game in the first two tournaments this season, then started every game in South Africa followed by just one game in Las Vegas.

USA Team for Wellington
Danny Barrett
Garrett Bender
Andrew Durutalo
Nick Edwards
Pono Haitsuka
Madison Hughes
Carlin Isles
Ryan Matyas
Folau Niua
Brett Thompson
Shalom Suniula
Zack Test