Australia XV player ratings vs USA | International Rugby 2026

Australia A took on USA in Nashville Tennessee at a 30,000 capacity soccer stadium Geodis Park in the Music City.

Four tries in the first half to Australia, two scored while down a man after a 20-minute red card, gave Australia a commanding 26-12 lead at the half.

Australia A continued their commanding position with five tries in the second half, running out 61-12 winners.

1. Tom Robertson – 7
Australia’s set-piece was dominant, particularly at scrum time with the Super Rugby experience that they had over the USA. Plenty of handling errors by the Americans fed the Aussie scrum. Penalised in open play in the 2nd half with his last play. Off at 51.

2. Matt Faessler (c) – 8
Scored the fourth try at the back of the lineout maul as Australia’s powerful pack put the US forwards on the back foot. It came from a cheap penalty after putting Pietsch into touch after the tackle call. Off at 55.

3. Zane Nonggorr – 7.5
Physically the biggest man on the field. Dominant scrum and carry game from Nonggorr. Had a great pick up from a chip kick in the open field. Was into everything so much that played halfback a couple of phases, but got stripped running the ball. Played a big 60 minutes.

4. Nick Frost – 8
Huge work rate from Frost who cleaned a high number of rucks, made a high number of carries, and made impact on attack. Picked up the second try backing up inside and coasted over untouched. The entire tight five played a ‘ground and pound’ game in red zones with carries around the corner continuously. Broke through the USA defence clean in the 2nd half for a long line break and found Hastie back inside, although break went unfinished.

5. Miles Amatosero – 7
Big power carries in close on Australia’s set piece patterns. Pounced on a loose overthrow from the USA on their own five for a key turnover won. Australia scored a few phases later. Off at 67.

6. Will Harris – 7
Reliable lineout option along with Frost. Brilliant short line in the first half to break through and find Hastie. Australia bombed the eventual chance. Pinched a couple lineouts against the throw.

7. Rory Scott – 6.5
The Brumbies openside imposed himself on the USA with physical defence and relentless pursuit. Overeager at times, giving a penalty away on first phase when USA in a exit zone. Gave away a neck roll penalty on a cleanout with Australia in the red zone.

8. Joe Brial – 8.5
Picked up the scraps from a tapped back Edmed high ball to race away for a 45 metre try untouched under the posts while Australia was down a man. A great no-look pass created a line break moments later. Pinged late in first half for a tackle attempt off the ball. Carried over 100 run metres.

9. Nathan Hastie – 9
The former Highlander No.9 used the box kick with great effect, controlling Australia’s exits and finding touch every time it was needed with good distance. Scored the first try of the 2nd half from close range after controlling the phase play for multiple forward carries. Had an assist for Pritchard a short while later. Off at 59.

10. Tane Edmed – 8
Piloted the Australian attack very well, accurate and crisp passing across the shape. Kicked 3/4 in the first half. Ramped his involvements in the second half, taking on the defence more and executing a chip kick for Tim Ryan to regather. Off at 59.

11. Dylan Pietsch – 7
Scored the 1st try by burying over from close range. Solid in the air, winning back box kicks for Australia. Had a chance late in the first half to make the most of space out wide but cut back against the grain, stepping through multiple defenders. Scored his second with a classic winger’s finish in the corner.

12. David Feliuai – 2
Had a try assist from the 2nd half with a great one handed offload to Nick Frost but was sent to the bin in the 15th minute for a dangerous high shot on Lopeti, with the TMO review upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

13. Kadin Pritchard  – 7
Looked a handful every time he touched the ball, often going to the outside and beating the first defender. Clocked over 100 run metres. Took an easy try diving over after USA’s defence collapsed in.

14. Tim Ryan – 6
Caught biting in a bit too much on USA’s second try on the defensive right edge. Jumped on a loose pass for a 40 metre sprint away try with five minutes remaining.

15. Mac Grealy – 6
Couldn’t do much on the defensive right edge when the USA scored through fullback Michael Baska with a midfielder in the bin. Had a nice line break running off a pullback pass but overcooked his grubber wide over the sideline. Had long kick in the 57th minute that he also overcooked dead, coming back 65 metres for a USA scrum.

Reserves of note

22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – Scored with his first touch of the ball, diving over from close range. Had an assist for Pietsch with a nice double cutout pass.

23. Lachie Anderson – on at 35th minute to replace Feliuai. Had some hard carries but no chances to score.