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France-based second row Luiz ‘Monstro’ Vieira is one of three changes made to the Brazilian side to face the US Eagles at Dell Diamond on Saturday. Diego Lopez drops to the bench to accommodate. One other change in the pack sees Jonatas Paulo in at loosehead in place of Alexandre Alves, who is left out altogether. Heavyweight duo Caique Silva and Pedro Bengalo have been nominated as front row reserves. Bengalo will make his test debut if called upon during the match.
A change at scrumhalf has try-scoring Matheus Cruz starting ahead of Beukes Cremer, with Silva’s quickness preferred to Cremer’s physical strength. The only other change to the match day squad is the addition of Olympic 7s selection Arthur Bergo to cover the loose forwards, with the flanker named in place of Matheus Daniel.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since the historic upset at the Arena Barueri a year ago that saw Moisés Duque kick a list second penalty goal to steal the match for Os Tupis by 24-23. Of the starting lineup that took the field that day, 11 will return to try and replicate their feat on US soil.
BRAZIL
1 Jonatas Paulo, 2 Yan Rosetti, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Luiz Vieira, 5 Lucas Piero, 6 João Luiz da Ros, 7 André Arruda, 8 Nick Smith (capt.), 9 Matheus Cruz, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Stefano Giantorno, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 De Wet van Niekerk, 15 Daniel Sancery
Replacements: 16 Daniel Danielewicz, 17 Caíque Silva, 18 Pedro Bengaló, 19 Diego López, 20 Arthur Bergo, 21 Beukes Cremer, 22 Luan Smanio, 23 Guilherme Coghetto
