mens
international
An All-Wallaby tight five will fit the bill Australia And against the Eagles-heavy USA XV this weekend, with whore Matt Faessler as captain. Four more Wallabies have been named in the 23rd match, including recent debutant Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
Australia A coach Stephen Larkham has turned to some experienced players in the front and back rows. Tom Robertson will pack in at loose, with Zane Nonggorra at tight end, and Nick Frost will combine with Miles Amatoser as the two locks.
Fly-half Tane Edmed and winger Dylan Pietsch are the other Australian internationals named in the starting XV, while Kalani Thomas and McLaughlin-Phillips bring experience from the crease. ‘HMP’ made his debut for the Wallabies last weekend in a 43-21 defeat All black people in Sydney.
Will Harris and Rory Scott each start on the flank, with Joe Brial completing the trio of first-choice loose forwards at No.9. Larkham went 5-3 off the bench, with NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AUS captain Eamon Doyle provides back row cover.
In-form Western Force Scrum-half Nathan Hastie will link up with Tane Edmed at fly-half, while David Feliuai lines up at inside centre. Kadin Pritchard is set to make his first senior appearance in the gold jersey, selected at outside centre.
Pietsch and Tim Ryan are joined by running back Mac Grealy. Thomas, McLaughlin-Phillips and Queensland Red flyer Lachie Anderson are the three backs named in the replacements.
“As coaches, we think this squad has a good mix of experienced Wallabies who can lead the way for some of the younger players who have qualified to be tested for the first time at international level,” Larkham said.
“Putting on the gold jersey is always a special occasion and we have prepared well for what will be a strong challenge against the Eagles on their home turf on Saturday.”
Australia v USA XV in Nashville on Sunday morning AEDT, kick off 9am AEDT.
Australia A play USA XV in Nashville
- Tom Robertson (Western Force – Dubbo Roos)
- Matt Faessler (c) (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints)
- Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds – Gold Coast Eagles)
- Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies – Hornsby Lions)
- Miles Amatosero (NSW Waratahs – South Coogee Red Devils)
- Will Harris (Western Force – Norths Pirates)
- Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies – Canberra Royals)
- Joe Brial (Queensland Reds – Easts (Sydney))
- Nathan Hastie (Western Force – Wanneroo Rugby Club)
- Tane Edmed (ACT Brumbies – West Harbor Juniors)
- Dylan Pietsch (Western Force – Leeton Phantoms)
- David Feliuai (ACT Brumbies – Sunnybank Dragons)
- Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies – Springfield Hawks)
- Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds – Brothers Rugby)
- Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba)
Substitutions
- Ethan Dobbins (NSW Waratahs – Wests Bulldogs)
- Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds – West Harbor Juniors)
- Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies – Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
- Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies – Goondiwindi Junior Emus)
- Eamon Doyle (NSW Waratahs – Woonona Shamrocks)
- Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds – Springfield Hawks)
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Western Force – Gunnedah Red Devils)
- Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds – Dural Rugby Club)
