USA Names Lineup To Face Canada Live On FloRugby
USA Names Lineup To Face Canada Live On FloRugby
USA Men's 15s head coach Gary Gold has made three lineup changes for the Eagles as they face Canada.
USA Men's 15s head coach Gary Gold has made three changes to Eagles' starting lineup as they take on rival Canada on Saturday at the Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
While the USA was shaking up the world order with a 30-29 victory over Scotland last weekend, Canada was getting hit hard by Russia 43-20. But this is still a heated rivalry, and both teams relish the clash.
Watch USA vs. Canada LIVE on FloRugby
Saturday, June 23 | Kickoff: 3 PM ET
USA hooker Joe Taufete'e is returning home for personal reasons after an immense game against the Scots. Dylan Fawsitt will start at hooker in his place. Meanwhile, Ben Landry will step in for John Quill, who injured his leg in the final moments of the Scotland game.
Bryce Campbell, who has started and played every minute of the last 12 USA games (11 tests and one non-test against Argentina XV), will move to the bench, with Marcel Brache moving from wing to outside center and Nate Augspurger starting on the wing.
Please keep all teammate heckling inside the vehicle for the duration of this tour ?@nickcivetta | #?? pic.twitter.com/jvOrWQrEgF
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) June 20, 2018
Newcomer and former USA U20 standout Vili Toluta'u could earn his first international cap if he comes off the bench.
The lineup features no hooker backup to Fawsitt. Toluta'u can play there and so can flanker Hanco Germishuys. But the front row reserves are all props.
"Our result last week was due to the incredible hard work that the guys put in, and the huge respect we had for Scotland," Gold said. "Tactically, we followed our game plan and prepared for the right level of intensity which is what we intend to build on this week. However, that game is now in the past and we face our old foes who we know are really well coached and will be prepared, especially as this is a massive home game for them.
"The reality is that this Canadian team have a huge amount of pride and have a lot to play for as they are still focused on qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2019, and we need to respect that."
It will be interesting to see how the loss of Taufete'e is felt. The Worcester hooker scored two tries but had an impact over and above all that. In 16 tests, he has scored 12 tries—good for seventh all-time among all Eagles and just four behind Todd Clever for the most by a USA forward.
Saturday's match kicks off at 3 PM ET, LIVE on FloRugby.
USA Lineup To Face Canada | ||
PLAYER | POSITION | CLUB |
1. Eric Fry | Prop | Vannes Rugby (FRA) |
2. Dylan Fawsitt | Hooker | Glendale Raptors |
3. Paul Mullen | Prop | Houston SaberCats |
4. Samu Manoa | Lock | Toulon (FRA) |
5. Nick Civetta | Lock | Newcastle Falcons (ENG) |
6. Ben Landry | Flanker | Glendale Raptors |
7. Hanco Germishuys | Flanker | Austin Elite |
8. Cam Dolan | No. 8 | San Diego Legion |
9. Shaun Davies | Scrum Half | Glendale Raptors |
10. AJ MacGinty | Fly Half | Sale Sharks (ENG) |
11. Nate Augspurger | Wing | San Diego Legion |
12. Paul Lasike | Center | Utah Warriors |
13. Marcel Brache | Center | Perth/Western Force |
14. Blaine Scully (C) | Wing | Cardiff Blues |
15. Will Hooley | Full Back | Bedford Blues (ENG) |
Reserves | ||
16. Chris Baumann | Reserve | Leicester Tigers (ENG) |
17. Titi Lamositele | Reserve | Saracens (ENG) |
18. Olive Kilifi | Reserve | Seattle Seawolves |
19. Greg Peterson | Reserve | Glasgow Warriors |
20. Vili Toluta'u | Reserve | Seattle Seawolves |
21. Ruben de Haas | Reserve | Free State Cheetahs |
22. Will Magie | Reserve | Glendale Raptors |
23. Bryce Campbell | Reserve | Glendale Raptors |