Former Randwick captain to start for USA XV against Australia A

Former Randwick captain and Brisbane City lock Nathan Den Hoedt will come up against some of Australia’s top rugby talent this week, having been named to start for the USA XV against Australia A in Nashville, Tennessee.

Den Hoedt played in premier Australian club rugby competitions for Sunnybank and Randwick, before signing a deal overseas as a 23-year-old. ‘Moose’ signed with the LA Giltinis, before later joining the Houston SaberCats and Chicago Hounds.

Chicago completed an historic undefeated Major League Rugby campaign with a win over the California earlier this year, with Den Hoedt part of the championship side. The second-rower was rewarded with higher honours, debuting for the USA Eagles in July.

Den Hoedt suited up in the red, white and blue during the World Rugby Nations Cup in July, was picked in the USA XV to take on an Argentina XV in Miami, and was also selected to compete at the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup in Japan.

The Australian-born USA international will pack down in the second-row along with captain Jason Damm, who has played in both the tight five and backrow this season. Payton Telea-Ilalio, Shil Klein and Tonga Kofe make up a formidable front-row.

Bengamin Bonasso has been named at blindside flanker, with Paddy Ryan and Makeen Alikhan rounding out an otherwise familiar loose forwards trio. Marno Redelinghuys will provide cover and impact in the No. 20 jersey.

Oscar Lennon features in the run-on side at scrum-half, with Ruben De Haas instead coming off the bench. Lennon joins Chris Hilsenbeck in the halves, who slotted a clutch match-winner to beat Portugal during the July internationals.

Dominic Besag and Tavite Lopeti are the centres, while Mark O’Keefee and Noah Brown line up on a wing each. Michael Baska will line up at fullback, with Luke Carty the back-up playmaker listed among the replacements.

“Test rugby demands resilience. Injuries can create opportunities, and we have players ready to step forward to fill key positions for the first time,” USA coach Scott Lawrence said.

“We’ll back them to embrace the challenge over the next two games and into the Nations Cup in November.”

USA XV to take on Australia A in Nashville