Zac Lomax gets Australia A shot in second USA match

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international

Australia A’s head coach Stephen Larkham has given cross-code star Zac Lomax his first crack at the gold jersey in a heavily rotated side for the game against the USA.

After a 61-12 win in Nashville, Larkham changed his starting halves combination to continue New Jersey, inserting Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips into the starting XV and naming Lomax alongside Kadin Pritchard in the midfield. Lachie Anderson, Corey Toole and Mac Grealy will run as the starting outside linebackers.

Up front, Tom Lambert is joined by Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr to do all-Red front row, with Nick Frost and Toby Macpherson in the second row. Willem Harris, Luke Reimer and Joe Brial make up the trio of free forwards.

“This tour has required a team effort, and it is a pleasure for everyone to get the opportunity to play in the gold jersey,” said Larkham.

“The Eagles are a proud team. We expect a strong response this week, which means we have to do our best to ensure we live up to our own expectations and end the tour on a positive note.”

Australia A team that will play against the Eagles

1. Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds – West Harbor Juniors)
2. Matt Faessler (c) (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints)
3. Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds – Gold Coast Eagles)
4. Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies – Hornsby Lions)
5. Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies – Goondiwindi Junior Emus)
6. Will Harris (Western Force – Norths Pirates)
7. Luke Reimer (NSW Waratahs – Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
8. Joe Brial (Queensland Reds – Easts (Sydney))
9. Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds – Springfield Hawks)
10. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Western Force – Gunnedah Red Devils)
11. Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds – Dural Rugby Club)
12. Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies – Springfield Hawks)
13. Zac Lomax (Western Force – Temora Tuckers)
14. Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies – Wagga Crows)
15. Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba)

Substitutions