Australian-born two-time MLR champion in line for USA debut in Nations Cup

Australian-born Charlie Abel will realise his international rugby dream at 34 years of age, named on the USA Eagles bench ahead of a World Rugby Nations Cup match against Spain at Cary’s First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Abel spent time with the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels before heading Stateside, winning the 2021 Major League Rugby Championship with the LA Giltinis. The tighthead has spent the last four seasons with the Chicago Hounds, becoming a two-time MLR champion last month.

The Hounds secured an undefeated season by overcoming California Legion 35-17 in the big dance on June 22, leading to higher honours for multiple players. Another Chicago title-winner debuted for the Eagles earlier in the Nations Cup, and it’s another Aussie as well.

Nathan Den Hoedt is set for his third international appearance after being retained in the run-on side, following a debut and a maiden Test try. Den Hoedt comes from the land Down Under as well but has become ingrained in the fabric of MLR and now the Eagles.

Former HSBC SVNS Series star Lance Williams drops out of the matchday 23 after earning a first Test cap last week, and Conner Mooneyham – who was the first-ever number one pick in MLR Draft history – has been ruled out with an injury.

Jason Damm captains the side from No. 8, linking up with in-form backrowers Cory Daniel and Paddy Ryan. Daniel has scored in both USA matches in the Nations Cup to date, as the Eagles claimed wins over Rugby World Cup-bound sides Portugal and Zimbabwe.

Jack Iscaro will pack down alongside 22-Test hooker Kapli Pifeleti and tighthead Tonga Kofe up front, while Abel is among those providing impact off the bench. The second row consists of Den Hoedt and three-Test No. 5 lock Brandon Harvey.

In the backs, Ruben De Haas moves closer to a half-century of international appearances, now set for his 47^th Test for the Eagles. The experienced scrum-half will combine with Chris Hilsenbeck in the halves for the third Test in a row.

Dominic Besag joins Julian Roberts in the midfield, while Tavite Lopeti shifts to the bench. Perry Mayo and Mark O’Keeffe are the two starting wingers, with Mitch Wilson retained out the back as the first-choice No. 15.

Fixture

World Rugby Nations Cup

USA

16:30

18 Jul 26

Spain

All Stats and Data

USA Men’s Eagles to take on Spain in World Rugby Nations Cup

1. Jack Iscaro — 20 caps
2. Kapeli Pifeleti — 22 caps
3. Tonga Kofe — 8 caps
4. Nathan Den Hoedt — 2 caps
5. Brandon Harvey — 3 caps
6. Cory Daniel — 19 caps
7. Paddy Ryan — 19 caps
8. Jason Damm (C) — 17 caps
9. Ruben De Haas — 46 caps
10. Chris Hilsenbeck — 8 caps
11. Perry Mayo — 2 caps
12. Dominic Besag — 20 caps
13. Julian Roberts — 2 caps
14. Mark O’Keeffe — 4 caps
15. Mitch Wilson — 20 caps

Replacements

16. Shilo Klein — 8 caps
17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth — 9 caps
18. Charlie Abel — Debut*
19. Nafitalai Ma’afu — 4 caps
20. Ben Bonasso — 10 caps
21. Ethan McVeigh — 10 caps
22. Luke Carty — 29 caps
23. Tavite Lopeti — 28 caps

*Charlie Abel is in line to make his Test debut