Why You Should Watch USA Rugby Vs. Portugal
Why You Should Watch USA Rugby Vs. Portugal
Here's why you should watch USA Rugby vs. Portugal Rugby in their 2024 November Tour of international games, streaming live on FloRugby on Saturday, Nov 9.
To kick off their 2024 November Tour of international rugby, the USA Men's Eagles once again are streaming live on FloRugby in their contest against Portugal Rugby at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 9.
We've talked with FloRugby expert Philip Bendon to put together a few great reasons why you should tune in to watch the Eagles rep the red, white and blue on the rugby pitch.
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In their last head-to-head in August 2023, the Eagles and Portugal Rugby went back and forth in the first half. Later in the game, however, Portugal ran away with the lead, tacking on three tries in the last 20 minutes of the match. The final score was 46-20.
The Eagles no doubt will be looking to start November with a win, before they take on Tonga and eventually Spain, the latter of the which also will be streaming on FloRugby.
Why You Should Watch USA Rugby Vs. Portugal On Nov. 9
Eyes Set On 2031 Rugby World Cup On U.S. Turf
The trajectories for these two teams have not been in sync over the last few seasons.
With USA missing the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and since installing new head coach Scott Lawrence, the Eagles have been in a bit of a rebuilding phase.
When chatting with head coach Scott Lawrence last week, he said: "It's not all about Ws and Ls at this point for the Eagles," says Bendon. He clarified that "everything is centered around building up for the 2031 Rugby World Cup.
"It's about getting better with each performance," he finished.
On the other side of the pitch, Portugal made a great showing at the recent World Cup, earning its first points at the event and a win against Fiji.
Portugal enters this match ranked slightly higher and as the favorite, with the wind at their backs as they look to continue to build on their recent success.
While of course the Eagles want wins, they are much more focused on incremental improvement.
Players To Look Out For In USA Rugby Vs. Portugal
Portugal Os Lobos - Raffaele Storti
Storti currently plays winger for Stade Francais in the French Top 14.
He's "really dangerous" and a "try-scoring threat" fullback who "was brilliant at the Rugby World Cup," Bendon commended.
In 2023, Storti scored two tries against Georgia, a match that ended in an 18-18 draw. This earned Portugal the first points in its histroy at the Rugby World Cup.
Portugal later played Fiji and went on to win. Sorti scored the first try to get the momentum going.
If he's starting for Os Lobos this weekend, you'll want to keep your eyes out for this Portugal winger.
USA Eagles - Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz
Wearing the No. 8 jersey, Fa'anana-Schultz was born in Australia and is a big time ball carrier.
"He's very powerful from the back of the scrum... a really good ball carrier" described Bendon.
If he's starting this weekend against Portugal, he was their main man and a major ball carrier in the recent Pacific Nations Cup and definitely would be one to look out for.
Fa'anana-Schultz currently plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR) and earned his five caps playing for the Eagles since his first start in 2019.
When Is Portugal Vs. USA Rugby Kickoff
The match will kick off at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 9. Pregame coverage will begin 30 minutes before kickoff.
How To Watch Portugal Vs. USA Rugby
The match is streaming live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
Highlights of the match will be available on the FloRugby social media accounts.
Who Coaches USA Rugby?
Scott Lawrence is the head coach of USA Rugby. Lawrence was hired in 2022 after coaching Rugby ATL of Major League Rugby.
USA Rugby Roster Player Pool
Here are the players available to USA Rugby. Teams for this test match will be announced later this week
- AJ Macginty - Fly-half
- Alex Maughan - Prop
- Bailey Wilson - Flanker
- Bryce Campbell - Center
- Cam Dolan - No. 8
- Chris Mattina - Fullback
- Christian Dyer - Wing
- Conner Mooneyham - Wing
- Cory Daniel - Backrow
- David Ainu’u - Prop
- Dominic Besag - (Position not listed)
- Ethan McVeigh - Scrumhalf
- Greg Peterson - Lock
- Jack Iscaro - Prop
- Jake Turnbull - Prop
- Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz - No. 8
- Jason Damm - Lock
- Joe Taufete’e - Hooker / Prop
- JP Smith - Scrumhalf
- Kaleb Geiger - Prop
- Kapeli Pifeleti - Hooker
- Lauina Futi - Fly-half
- Luke Carty - Fly-half
- Luke White - No. 8
- Mike Sosene-Feagai - Hooker
- Mitch Wilson - Fullback
- Nate Augspurger - Scrumhalf / Wing
- Nate Sylvia - Prop
- Paddy Ryan - Flanker
- Paul Lasike - Center
- Paul Mullen - Prop
- Renger van Eerten - Lock
- Ruben de Haas - Scrumhalf
- Saia Uhila - Lock
- Sam Golla - Lock
- Siaosi Mahoni - Lock
- Tavite Lopeti - Center
- Tesimoni Tonga’uiha - Backrow
- Thomas Tu’avao - Flanker
- Tommaso Boni - Center
- Vilami Helu - Blindside Flanker
USA Rugby Schedule For European Tour
Here are three international matches on the USA Rugby schedule:
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 - Portugal vs. USA Rugby - 11 AM ET on FloRugby
- Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 - USA Rugby vs. Tonga - 11:30 AM ET on RugbyPassTV
- Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 - Spain vs. USA Rugby - 6:45 AM ET on FloRugby
World Rugby Rankings 2024
- Ireland, 92.12
- South Africa, 91.77
- New Zealand, 89.67
- France, 86.96
- England, 84.43
- Argentina, 84.30
- Scotland, 83.39
- Italy, 79.98
- Australia, 79.32
- Fiji, 79.07
- Wales, 76.04
- Georgia, 74.10
- Samoa, 72.68
- Japan, 72.31
- Portugal, 70.61
- Tonga, 68.12
- Uruguay, 67.39
- Spain, 66.29
- USA, 65.70
- Romania, 62.62
How To Watch Spain Vs. USA Rugby
The match is streaming live on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
Kickoff for this match is scheduled for 6:45 a.m. ET on Nov. 23.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.