South Africa-born flanker to captain new-look USA XV against Australia A

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South African-born left-back Marno Redelinghuys will captain the new look USA XV in the second clash with Australia And, with coach Scott Lawrence rotating most of the starting side ahead of the match at Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.

Coached by Wallabies great Stephen Larkham Australia A to a dominating 61-12 win in Nashville last weekend. Michael Baska and Mark O’Keeffe each kicked a try in the first half, but the USA XV conceded 35 unanswered points in the second half.

USA Eagles captain Jason Damm was ejected from the 23rd game for the first time this season, before Nations Rugby World Cup Tests next month. Redelinghuys instead takes over as captain, in an almost entirely new starting XV.

Paddy Ryan is retained at fullback, but the backline otherwise looks different with Redelinghuys at blindside and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz at No.8. Australian born Nathan Den Hoedt forms a new look in the second row paired with Sam Goll.

Ezekiel Lindenmuth comes into the rush at loosehead prop and Kalbe Geiger replaces Shilo Klein at hook. Mason Pedersen rounds out the front row trio at tight end prop, with Tonga Kofe provides cover from the bench.

Ruben De Haas returns to the No.9 shirt after coming off the bench last weekend, effectively swapping places with Welsh-bred Oscar Lennon. Luke Carty is back in the run-on side at fly-half, while Chris Hilsenebck has been ruled out of the 23rd match entirely.

Former new England Patriots tight end Cassh Maluia will line up at inside center, teaming up with Wayne van der Bank in a new midfield combination. Coach Lawrence changed both wings, with Joe Mano and Conner Mooneyham in the team, and David Coetzer starting at fullback.

“It is widely accepted among international high-performance experts that developing a player at international level generally requires five to seven years of full-time professional rugby with significant minutes week in and week out,” Lawrence said.

“It is also well known that Nations Cup teams have historically struggled to build depth beyond their starting XV. In previous years, the Eagles have often been one injury, one unavailable player or one individual performance away from being able to perform when it mattered most.

“In 2026, we set out to address that challenge by prioritizing long-term development over short-term results during this two-to-three-month block. We replicated the requirements Rugby World Cup schedule, including the challenges of travel and competition, while giving more players significant opportunities to develop through international competition ahead of the 2027 domestic professional season and World Cup.

“Every player selected to the USA XV this weekend has earned the opportunity to represent this team. These experiences strengthen both the individual and the team. The more players we prepare to perform at this level, the more competitive, resilient and adaptable we become as we build toward 2027 and 2031.”

USA XV will play Australia A in New Jersey