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The USA’s march towards back-to-back Americas Rugby Championship titles continues on Saturday. Two teams stand between the Eagles and history, the first of whom is Brazil.
Os Tupis are in fifth place on the table having endured a miserable outing against Canada in Langford. At home, however, they are always in a different mindset and significant upgrades to their lineup could stave off another thrashing.
A completely new front row is named as captain Yan Rosetti returns after being a late scratch last weekend. Jardel Vettorato has recovered from his ankle injury and Michel Gomes is handed his second test start in place of Jonatas Paulo. The second row is also changed with Lucas Piero back in the run-on side and Cléber Dias switched to lock from the blindside to fill in for red-carded Gabriel Paganini.
Arthur Bergo is back in the starting lineup after being benched last week and Matheus Daniel replaces Michael Moraes on the other flank. A further alteration sees reserve hooker Endy Willian, who was forced into an emergency starting role last week, replaced by uncapped Angelo Marcucci.
The backs remain largely the same group that has been together throughout the tournament with the wings once again rotated. Stefano Giantorno has recovered from injury to make his first appearance in 2018 and top prospect Robert Tenório is named on the other side. Another new cap awaits in reserve in the form of 20-year-old scrumhalf Daniel Lima.
Two overseas professionals have joined up with the Eagles in South America as Nick Civetta takes over from Nate Brakeley at lock and Chris Baumann takes the vacancy left by departed Dino Waldren at tighthead prop. Dylan Fawsitt earns his first test start at hooker and Hanco Germishuys replaces Tony Lamborn at openside flank.
It’s a first start in 2018 for scrumhalf Shaun Davies. Captain Nate Augspurger shifts to the right wing to make room and Josh Whippy switches to the left side with Ryan Matyas left in California to begin his Major League Rugby preparations with the San Diego Legion.
Two names in the replacements will see their first action of this year. Peter Malcolm will see second half action at hooker while Matt Jensen covers the second row. The back reserves are unchanged with Paul Lasike again an impact sub after impressing in his test debut against Chile.
This is a much stronger Brazilian team to the one that floundered in Langford with only a couple notables missing from their best possible team. Expect them to be markedly more committed in defense and their backs are always capable of creating problems, particularly in the midfield.
Another famous upset, however, is wishful thinking. This USA team has too much momentum to slip up against the Tupis. A clear victory for the Eagles is on the cards but it may take some time to break down Brazil’s belief in front of their home faithful.
BRAZIL
1 Michel Gomes, 2 Yan Rosetti (capt.), 3 Jardel Vettorato, 4 Lucas Piero, 5 Cléber Dias, 6 Arthur Bergo, 7 Matheus Daniel, 8 André Arruda, 9 Laurent Bourda-Couhet, 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Robert Tenório, 12 Moisés Duque, 13 Felipe Sancery, 14 Stefano Giantorno, 15 Lucas Tranquez
Replacements: 16 Angelo Marcucci, 17 Lucas Abud, 18 Matheus Rocha, 19 Diego López, 20 Michael Moraes, 21 Daniel Lima, 22 Ariel Rodrigues, 23 De Wet van Niekerk
USA
1 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Ben Landry, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Psalm Wooching, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Shaun Davies, 10 Will Magie, 11 Josh Whippy, 12 Bryce Campbell, 13 Dylan Audsley, 14 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Tony Purpura, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Matt Jensen, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Ben Cima, 23 Paul Lasike
Date: Saturday, February 24
Venue: Estádio Martins Pereira, São José dos Campos
Kickoff: 17:40 local (15:40 Eastern, 12:40 Pacific)
Referee: Francisco González (URU)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Channel (USA), TSN (Canada), ESPN3 (South America), World Rugby (Stream)
