The All-Americans are due to tour New Zealand later in the summer.

“We’re sorry that they will not be able to contribute to the tour this year, but both have added a great deal to the selection process for 2008 and to the overall future of the program,” All-American manager John McNamara told ARN.

“At this point we are working to make a tour possible in very challenging times, the cost of travel being the biggest challenge in terms of dollars,”

According to McNamara, the dates for travel and the possible destinations have been changed several times while Boulder tries to find an option that will deliver the best possible player experience.

He says this has made it almost impossible for anyone involved with the program to plan their professional lives around the tour.

David Smyth

Head coach David Smyth concedes that his professional schedule this summer doesn’t leave enough room for the All-Americans.

“The main issue for me was the timing of the schedule kept changing,” Smyth told ARN. “I have a busy summer planned and can't change things very easily. I love the AA program and wish all the people involved the best in the future.”

The decision by assistant coach Johnny Everett to step aside was made largely due to similar reasons.

“It’s more a question of not having the time because of work commitments,” said Everett.

USA Rugby CEO and president of rugby operations Nigel Melville reportedly is considering leading the team to New Zealand, and will take two replacement coaches with him.

It’s understood that Melville’s potential interest in the tour is to refine and put into play the first phase of the Memorandum of Understanding between USA Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Union.