Paul Lasike is a unique talent—unique enough that the USA coaches have adapted how they incorporate him into the team.

A wide, imposing physical specimen, Lasike is nonetheless elusive and possessing of a strong skill set. His ability to pass makes it a lot easier to pick him at inside center, and all of that has been on display this June for the Eagles Men's 15s team.

However, it's Lasike's physicality that has turned the most heads in the USA camp. He was like this playing rugby for BYU, but his love of contact ramped up when he switched to the Cougars football team and then to a stint in the NFL. 

Lasike lights up ballcarriers, and the coaching staff decided that trying to rein in the big man would just limit his impact. Instead, when he sees a chance to line up and smash an opponent, he has the freedom to take it.

It's no surprise, then, that Lasike is relishing this environment. And, as seems to be the rule when you run across an athlete who loves the contact, he's a jovial, easy-going man off the field. 

Born in New Zealand, Lasike moved to the USA to attend BYU and eventually decided to stay. He was a dual rugby and football player at BYU before investing full-time in football at the end of his career. 

Stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears didn't result in a long-term contract, but when he returned to rugby with the Utah Warriors MLR team, he seemed just a little quicker—and a little meaner.