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The USA and Australia have named their sides that are set to play their final Rugby World Cup warm up tomorrow at Chicago’s Soldier Field. The two sides have only met six times since their first match in 1976. The match tomorrow will be only the third time the two teams have met outside of a World Cup fixture. The Wallabies hold a 6-0 all-time series advantage over the USA with their last win coming at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The USA looks to finish off a solid Summer before heading to England for the World Cup. They’ll face a tough task against an Australian side that is ranked 2nd in the World. The Wallabies went 3-1 in their Summer tests with wins over South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand.
New Zealand famously destroyed the USA last year in a sold out Soldier Field. The crowd is expected to be much lighter for the Australia/USA match, but the score line will be the one to watch. The Eagles have made progress and post a solid lineup to face the Wallabies. The match tomorrow should be a great measuring stick to see how far the team has come during their record buildup to the World Cup.
The biggest change in the USA’s lineup is on the wing as Head Coach Mike Tolkin has opted to use Team Captain Chris Wyles on the wing against Australia with Blaine Scully sliding over to fullback. Al McFarland also gets the call at blindside flanker likely filling the hole left by the recently injured Scott Lavalla.
The remainder of the USA lineup is close to full strength and will need to play the match of their lives to keep it close against Australia.
Prop James Slipper Captains the Wallabies in their first match on US soil since 1976. He leads out a strong side that has a clear advantage over the Eagles. Expect the Wallabies to push the tempo of the match and utilize their backs to attack at every opportunity.
The USA takes on Australia at Soldier Field in Chicago tomorrow at 7:30pm EST.
Men’s Eagles | v. Australia
1. Eric Fry
2. Zach Fenoglio
3. Titi Lamositele
4. Cameron Dolan
5. Greg Peterson
6. Al McFarland
7. Andrew Durutalo
8. Samu Manoa
9. Mike Petri
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Chris Wyles (C)
12. Thretton Palamo
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya
15. Blaine Scully
Men’s Eagles | Reserves
16. Phil Thiel
17. Olive Kilifi
18. Chris Baumann
19. Louis Stanfill
20. John Quill
21. Danny Barrett
22. Shalom Suniula
23. Folau Niua
Australia | v. USA
1. James Slipper (C)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Greg Holmes
4. Kane Douglas
5. Rob Simmons
6. Ben McCalman
7. Sean McMahon
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Rob Horne
12. Matt Giteau
13. Henry Speight
14. Joe Tomane
15. Kurtley Beale
Australia | Reserves
16. James Hanson
17. Scott Sio
18. Toby Smith
19. Dean Mumm
20. Sam Carter
21. Quade Cooper
22. Will Genia
23. Taqele Naiyaravoro
