Western Force superstar Marcel Brache has credited the West Australian club as he adds to his impressive list of rugby accomplishments following selection in the final 31-man USA Eagles squad to compete at the Rugby World Cup in Japan starting next month.
Brache has been a mainstay for the Eagles in the past four years, raking up 19 test appearances. Eligible to play for the American side after being born in Los Angeles before moving to South Africa and then to Perth to play for the Western Force, Brache will compete at his first World Cup.
“World Cup selection is one of the highest honours I have been able to achieve within my rugby career,” Brache said.
“We have all prepared well for the World Cup and have put ourselves into the position where it was not easy for the selectors to pick the squad, so I feel very lucky and privileged to have been selected for this.
“I thank the Force again for being so gracious and allowing me to pursue this adventure and its because of the Force that I am in this position.”
The Eagles are in Pool C and play four matches over a fourteen-day period against heavyweights England, France, Argentina and Tonga. Despite the tough draw, Brache’s approach is positive, the 31-year-old is excited about competing against some of the best rugby nations on the planet.
“As a squad, we are really looking forward to fully embracing any challenges head-on,” Brache said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for the squad to test ourselves against the best in the world and to put USA rugby on the map.”
Brache is a key member of a squad built around coach Gary Gold’s desire for flexibility.
“Marcel is a huge staple for this team both on and off the field. His character, his leadership and his work ethic are second to none and continue to encourage the guys around him,” Gold said.
“His ability to play multiple positions at wing, centre and full back are of huge value to us and going into such a difficult pool, we will need that versatility week in and week out. I have no doubt we can expect great things from Marcel in Japan.”
USA squad for RWC 2019:
Forwards: David Ainu’u, Malon Al-Jiboori, Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Cam Dolan, Dylan Fawsitt, Eric Fry, Hanco Germishuys, James Hilterbrand, Olive Kilifi, Tony Lamborn, Titi Lamositele, Ben Landry Lo, Paul Mullen, Gregory Peterson, Ben Pinkelman, John Quill, Joseph Taufete’e.
Backs: Blaine Scully (captain), Nate Augspurger, Marcel Brache, Bryce Campbell, Shaun Davies, Ruben De Haas, Will Hooley, Martin Iosefo, Paul Lasike, AJ MacGinty, Will Magi, Thretton Palamo, Mike Te’o.
