November Internationals – USA vs Tonga – ARN Guide

The second of three November tests for both the USA and Tonga will take place at the neutral venue of Chambéry, France, on Saturday. Though each took part in this year’s edition of the revived Pacific Nations Cup, it’s been five years since they two sides collided in test rugby.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 16 (67.49 points)
2024-11-09 – Portugal 17, USA 21 (Coimbra)
2024-09-21 – Samoa 18, USA 13 (Osaka)
2024-09-14 – Fiji 22, USA 3 (Tokyo)
2024-09-07 – Japan 41, USA 24 (Kumagaya)
2024-08-31 – USA 28, Canada 15 (Carson)

Current World Ranking: 18 (66.87 points)
2024-11-09 – Romania 25, Tonga 15 (Bucharest)
2024-09-14 – Tonga 30, Canada 17 (Tokyo)
2024-09-06 – Tonga 19, Fiji 50 (Nuku’alofa)
2024-08-30 – Samoa 43, Tonga 17 (Apia)
2024-07-26 – Tonga 14, Queensland Reds 41 (Nuku’alofa)

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

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3 Ben Tameifuna replaces Jethro Felemi (No1 vs Romania)
4 Semisi Paea replaces Kelemete Finau
11 Tima Fainga’anuku replaces John Tapueluelu

NOTES

• despite their relatively close historical rankings and mostly competitive contests, the Eagles haven’t beaten the Ikale Tahi since their first ever meeting in 1999… a streak of 9 straight defeats
• the USA’s victory over Portugal last weekend propelled them up three spots to No16 on the World Rankings, while Tonga dipped two spots to No18… it’s the first time since 2011 that the Eagles have been ranked higher than the Ikale Tahi
• Scott Lawrence has rewarded his USA side by retaining the entirety of the starting XV… there are three changes on the bench… Paul Mullen is the reserve tighthead prop this week while new Anthem second row Mikey Grandy and Chicago Hounds center Mark O’Keeffe could make their test bows
• Eagles captain Greg Peterson is set to reach a career milestone by winning his 50th cap… the 33-year-old Sydney native represented Australia at u20 level before committing to the USA, who he qualifies for via American parents… Peterson’s father played college football for Northwestern
• Tonga will feature four players who have suited up in Major League Rugby… Tau Koloamatangi, Tupou Afungia, and Taniela Filimone featured with Miami, San Diego, and NOLA respectively in 2024… Semisi Paea was part of New England’s title-winning team in 2023
• Paea is one of eight players in the Tongan 23 who were this week named in Moana Pasifika’s squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season… while Filimone was drafted into the Highlanders training roster… uncapped reserve back Poasi Tonga played for Moana’s u20 side this past year

QUOTES

Scott Lawrence (Head Coach)

“We will continue to work toward delivering a full 80-minute performance focus. As this team grows, we are learning the consistent intensity required in both preparation and test matches.”

PREDICTION

Neither side will be thrilled with the cool temperature but conditions should be otherwise favorable to an open game. Tonga welcomes the return of captain Ben Tameifuna to bolster the scrum, and the Ikale Tahi backline will need to be closely marked. On form, however, the Eagles have been the better of the two sides and are coming off a confidence-building result over the higher-ranked Portugal. It’s a very tight call, but the USA are slight favorites in France.

TEAMS

USA
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Shilo Klein, 3 Alex Maughan, 4 Jason Damm, 5 Greg Peterson (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Paddy Ryan, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 AJ MacGinty, 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dom Besag, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Mitch Wilson

Replacements: 16 Kapeli Pifeleti, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Paul Mullen, 19 Tomás Casares, 20 Mikey Grandy, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Mark O’Keeffe, 23 Luke Carty

TONGA
1 Tau Koloamatangi, 2 Sam Moli, 3 Ben Tameifuna (capt.), 4 Semisi Paea, 5 Harison Mataele, 6 Tupou Afungia, 7 Sione Havili, 8 Lotu Inisi, 9 Aisea Halo, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Tima Fainga’anuku, 12 Fetuli Paea, 13 Fine Inisi, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 William Havili

Replacements: 16 Sefo Sakalia, 17 Salesi Tuifua, 18 Paula Latu, 19 Justin Mataele, 20 Tevita Ahokovi, 21 Siaosi Nginingini, 22 Josiah Unga, 23 Poasi Tonga

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Chambéry Savoie Stadium, Chambéry
Kickoff: 17:30 local (08:30 Pacific, 11:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: clear, 45°F (7°C), wind SE 0-1mph (1-2km/h)
Broadcasts: RugbyPass

OFFICIALS

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Luc Ramos (France) & Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (10): Tonga 9, USA 1
2019-10-13 – Tonga 31, USA 19 (Osaka)
2016-11-19 – Tonga 20, USA 17 (San Sebastián)
2015-07-29 – USA 19, Tonga 33 (Toronto)
2014-11-15 – Tonga 40, USA 12 (Gloucester)
2013-06-14 – USA 9, Tonga 18 (Carson)
2012-11-17 – Tonga 22, USA 13 (Colwyn Bay)
2011-06-08 – Tonga 44, USA 13 (Esher)
2007-09-12 – USA 15, Tonga 25 (Montpellier)
2000-07-08 – Tonga 29, USA 6 (Nuku’alofa)
1999-05-15 – USA 30, Tonga 10 (San Francisco)