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A lot of pride and maybe a little more will be on the line when the USA Select XV takes on northern rivals Canada ‘A’ in the final round of the Americas Pacific Challenge on Sunday. The USA are still technically capable of winning the tournament if they secure a bonus-point win, but will need Uruguay to upset Argentina and hold them to a low score to do so. A thrilling match against Uruguay ‘A’ on Wednesday put them in position. Canada, on the other hand, are as down in the dumps as one can be after getting trampled by Tonga ‘A’ and if ever there was a time to find some inspiration, this would be it.
Canada have mixed and matched with Hubert Buydens and Cole Keith returning at prop and Ray Barkwill starting at hooker. Adrian Wadden replaces Liam Chisholm at lock, and there is a first start for Dustin Dobravsky at No 8. Lucas Rumball takes over for Peter Milazzo at openside flank.
Andrew Ferguson is recalled at scrumhalf to partner Robbie Povey in the halfbacks. Patrick Parfrey comes in at inside centre as Guiseppe du Toit slides back to fullback. Martial Lagain and Brett Johnson are recalled to the reserves.
Coming back into the side for the USA are Alex Maughan at loosehead prop and Matt Jensen in the second row. Ben Landry retains his blindside position but there is a shift at openside and No 8 where Aladdin Schirmer and Hanco Germishuys will line up respectively.
Only one body is changed in the backs with Lemoto Filikitonga coming into the midfield but Mitch Wilson is the odd one out as JP Eloff moves to fullback. St. Mary’s halfback combo Holden Yungert and Mike McCarthy start once again after impressing against Uruguay.
Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm local time, 1:00 pm Eastern. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.
CANADA ‘A’
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Kyle Gilmour (capt.), 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Dustin Dobravsky, 9 Andrew Ferguson, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Conor Desmond, 12 Patrick Parfrey, 13 Mike Nieuwenhuysen, 14 Kainoa Lloyd, 15 Guiseppe du Toit
Replacements: 16 Martial Lagain, 17 Liam Murray, 18 Ryan Kotlewski, 19 Liam Chisholm, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 Jorden Sandover-Best, 22 Brett Johnson, 23 Aidan McMullan
USA SELECT XV
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Peter Malcolm (capt.), 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Brendan Daly, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Aladdin Schirmer, 8 Hanco Germishuys, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Mike McCarthy, 11 Tim Maupin, 12 Bryce Campbell, 13 Lemoto Filikitonga, 14 Josh Whippy, JP Eloff
Replacements: 16 Alex Vorster, 17 Kelepi Fifita, 18 Chance Wenglewski, 19 Brendan Hardiman, 20 Psalm Wooching, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Ben Cima, 23 Mitch Wilson
Date: Sunday, October 15
Venue: Estadio Charrúa, Montevideo
Kickoff: 14:00 local (13:00 ET, 10:00 PT)
Broadcasts: Facebook Stream, World Rugby Stream, The Rugby Channel
