mens
international
Australia Captain Matt Faessler revealed the “great focus” behind the team’s 52-0 victory over the Eagles USA XV, with the men in gold scoring 113 points in the two-match series in the United States.
Coach Stephen Larkham has selected a dozen Wallabies in a starting group of 27 players, made up of players from Australia’s back four Super Rugby Pacific clubs. Former NRL star Zac Lomax and recent Wallabies debutant Harry McLaughlin-Phillips were later added to the representative team.
Faessler was named captain ahead of the opener in Nashville, and the freshman scored in a 61-12 victory. Australia A they were just as determined six days later under the Friday night lights, even as Larkham made changes to the starting XV.
Wallabies kicker Nick Frost raced over for the final try of the final half as the visitors raced into a 33-point lead. McLaughlin-Phillips picked up man-of-the-match honors after leading the team to a comprehensive score, having scored a try himself in the second term.
Faessler spoke after the game about how hard work on and off the ball was the main focus for Australia A, and the skipper was pleased to see those efforts keep the new-look USA XV scoreless for 80 minutes.
“Really good reward for the effort we’ve put in over the last two weeks. I’m really happy the boys didn’t rest on their laurels after last week’s win,” Faessler said.
“We prepared well. The USA had quite a few changes in their attacking pack, quite a bit bigger, and a really strong 12 in possession, and I think it really showed. They were quite physical in touch.”
“I’m really pleased with how our set went this week. In the second half it’s uneven but pretty patchy, very rewarding.”
Tane Edmed got his first crack at the run-on side at fly-half, wearing the number 10 jersey a week ago opposite Chicago Hounds playmaker Chris Hilsenebck. Edmed had a few shots on goal before heading off for ‘HMP’ around 60 minutes.
The two swapped places in match 23 for the series finale, with McLaughlin-Phillips getting the run less than a month after making his Wallabies debut. The 22-year-old led Western Force to the Super Rugby AUS title before making his Test debut at Bledisloe II.
“We’ve come together as a team over the past two weeks and we’ve been really good,” McLaughlin-Phillips said after the game.
“Coming from all four Super Clubs, it’s just some of the connection that we’ve been driving really hard that really delivered on the pitch. It’s been a really good two weeks.”
“We really put emphasis on doubling our performance,” he added.
“Keeping them clean, they’re a good side and not giving them points is really good for us as a team. We’re really proud of that performance.”
