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A new annual fixture will begin at Infinity Park on Saturday as the Collegiate All-Americans host the Canadian University All-Stars in a battle of brawns and brains. It will act as the first of a double-header at Infinity Park ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup test between the USA and Canada.
Jack Manzo starts in the All-American front row just weeks removed from his impressive showing in the u20 Trophy qualifiers. Former Junior All-American Bronson Teles provides ballast in the engine room with Lindenwood’s Wesley White tasked with making the gainline from the back of the scrum.
A dangerous backs division is marshaled by Rugby ATL signing Duncan van Schalkwyk, who trained with the Senior Eagles camp during the Americas Rugby Championship. USA Selects cap Mitch Wilson brings creativity beside the more direct Tavite Lopeti in the midfield, and Cristian Rodriguez provides x-factor on the wing.
Arrows duo Pat Lynott and Jack McRogers pack down in a formidable Canadian front row, with another MLR teammate Marcello Wainwright at No8. Recent Canada u20 captain James O’Neill will be a central figure at openside flank with Queen’s lock Trevor Helgason instead adding bulk on the blindside.
More Arrows influence is found at scrumhalf in Riley DiNardo and the midfield with Mitch Richardson partnering BC Bears rep Cully Quirke. Atlantic Rock standout Jack McCarthy brings a potent combination of size and speed on the wing, while Arrows Academy eightman Matt Fish has to settle for a spot among the reserves.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern. The match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Gold in the USA. At this time there is no Canadian broadcast planned.
USA COLLEGIATE ALL-AMERICANS
1 Payton Telea, 2 Jack Manzo, 3 Kareem Odeh, 4 Matthew Gordon, 5 Bronson Teles, 6 Ronan Murphy, 7 Nic Mirhashem, 8 Wesley White, 9 Harry Masters, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Cristian Rodriguez, 12 Mitch Wilson (capt.), 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Troy Lockyear
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 Julian Montes, 18 Alec McDonnell, 19 Tanner Pope, 20 Tommy Clark, 21 Michael de Waal, 22 Santiago Mascolo, 23 Mike Dabulas, 24 Calvin Gentry, 25 Thorne O’Connell, 26 Sean Yacoubian
CANADIAN UNIVERSITY ALL-STARS
1 Pat Lynott, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Stephen Martinez, 4 Izzak Kelly, 5 Nolan Howell, 6 Trevor Helgason, 7 James O’Neill, 8 Marcello Wainwright, 9 Riley DiNardo (capt.), 10 Josh Engelbrecht, 11 Sam Ibbotson, 12 Mitch Richardson, 13 Cully Quirke, 14 Jack McCarthy, 15 Ethan Hager
Replacements: 16 Sam Turner, 17 Julian Alexander, 18 Conor O’Flaherty, 19 Matt Fish, 20 Max Radcliffe, 21 Connor Byron, 22 Flynn Heyes, 23 Charles DeBove
Date: Saturday, July 27
Venue: Infinity Park, Glendale
Kickoff: 15:00 local (14:00 Pacific, 17:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Gold
