Two rugby players from Guam continue to progress at the national level for the United States. Steve Sablan and Stephanie Taguacta have both been selected by USA Rugby to participate in events scheduled for this weekend.


Sablan graduated from Father Duenas Memorial School; Taguacta, from Notre Dame High School.


Sablan — who plays for the Potomac Athletic Club — was selected as a utility back on the 26-man roster of the national under-20 men’s team that will compete in some training matches against local university teams this weekend in Arizona.


Former Guam resident Peter Baggetta, the newly appointed USA age-grade defense coach, will be among the USA Rugby officials on hand to evaluate the players.


The team will play a match against the University of Arizona Saturday in Tucson followed on Sunday by a game against Arizona State University in Glendale.

Follow up:

Taguacta — who plays for the DC Furies — was one of 12 players chosen to represent the United States at the 2007 North America West Indies Rugby Association 7s this weekend in the Bahamas.


Twelve men's teams and five women's teams will compete in the tournament.


The women's tournament is small, but meaningful. Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago all have sent national teams, and there will be development squads from Canada and the United States. The USA Rugby developmental team won this tournament last year.

“The Guam Rugby Football Union is proud of the achievements of Steve and Stephanie and of the small part we have played in developing and nurturing the talent and ability of these Guam athletes,” Guam Rugby Football Union president Stephen Grantham said. “This news reinforces our belief that Guam rugby players can be as good as their mainland counterparts, whether men or women. We look forward to continuing our progress in developing the Guam players of the future.”

Information was provided in a press release.



Source: Pacific Daily News