Mike Hercus

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Mike Hercus (born June 5, 1979) is a former American rugby union player who played fly-half for the United States and several top clubs around the world. He is the USA Eagles’ all-time leading scorer with 465 points and the U.S.’s top World Cup scorer with 77 points, earning 48 caps from 2002 to 2009.

Born in Falls Church, Virginia, he grew up in Australia and went to Shore School in North Sydney, where he played in the first XV and even captained the team. He played for Australian schoolboys and the under-21s before turning to international rugby with the USA.

Hercus played for clubs in Europe and beyond, including Sale Sharks, Llanelli Scarlets, and Newport Gwent Dragons, and also had a stint with the Barbarians in 2006. He returned to the United States to play for Belmont Shore during the 2007 season and represented the USA at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups. In later years he played for IBM Big Blue in Japan and the Sunshine Coast Stingrays in Australia.

He captained the Eagles during 2006 World Cup qualifying and played for the United States in 2009. In 2010 he returned to Australia to play for Gordon Highlanders in the Shute Shield, but injuries limited his play and he is considered retired. He is married to TV presenter Natalie Michaels and works as a portfolio manager for Soul Patts.