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Former Wales Sevens international handed USA debut

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Toby Fricker will make his US Men’s Eagles debut in Tokyo this Saturday after being selected at full-back for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup semi-final against Fiji.

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Fricker, 29, was born in Wales and played for Wales Sevens and Wales Students but qualifies for USA through his New Orleans-born mother.

This summer he joined MLR’s New England Free Jacks, having previously played club rugby for Ospreys, Bristol and Ebbw Vale.

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Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

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Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

New World Rugby High Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui chatted to Liam Heagney about the new look Pacific Nations Cup, comprising of Fiji, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Canada and the USA.

USA’s matchday 23 doesn’t include either of the two leading performers, fly-half Luke Carty and No.8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, with head coach Scott Lawrence opting to make seven changes of personnel and one positional switch for the team’s first encounter with Fiji in 10 years.

Greg Peterson is the only Eagles player present in the matchday squad to have played in the last fixture in Vannes in November 2014, a 20-14 win for Fiji, but  the veteran lock has to be content with a place on the bench.

Australian-born Peterson led the Eagles in the first two matches of the Pacific Nations Cup but Nate Augspurger has stepped into the role.

The veteran wing, who scored twice against Japan last weekend, captains USA for the sixth time in his 46th test. The 34-year-old from Minnesota  last performed the role in November at La Vila International Rugby Cup. He has Fricker and Conner Mooneyham for company in the back three.

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Carty’s place at 10 is taken by Chris Mattina, while Ruben de Haas continues at scrum-half. Rand Santos, a star of USA’s run to the final of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy final earlier this year, is set to make his test debut after being named as fly-half cover.

In midfield, Tavite Lopeti shifts to inside-centre to accommodate Dominic Besag’s return to the 13 jersey.

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Peterson’s omission leaves the USA starting XV very light on caps, with only four players including Augspurger getting into double figures for caps won.

Another is 38-cap prop Paul Mullen, who has been promoted from the bench along with hooker Sean McNulty. Jack Iscaro continues at loose-head.

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Vili Helu is now partnered in the second row by Jason Damm, while Paddy Ryan and Cory Daniel continue to team up at flanker but with Thomas Tu’avao at No.8 instead of the competition’s top ball carrier Fa’anana-Schultz.

USA team to face Fiji:

1. Jack Iscaro
2. Sean McNulty
3. Paul Mullen
4. Viliami Helu
5. Jason Damm
6. Paddy Ryan
7. Cory Daniel
8. Thomas Tu’avao
9. Ruben de Haas
10. Chris Mattina
11. Nate Augspurger
12. Tavite Lopeti
13. Dominic Besag
14. Conner Mooneyham
15. Toby Fricker

Replacements:
16. Kapeli Pifeleti
17. Jake Turnbull
18. Pono Davis
19. Greg Peterson
20. Tesimoni Tonga’uiha
21. Bryce Campebell
22. Rand Santos
23. JP Smith

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J
JW 3 hours ago
Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

I wouldn’t think the risk is cash flow, as they have large cash reserves they said all through covid.


I suspect the author has it completely wrong as it pertains to the pool as well, because I can’t see the contracts of players changing year to year like revenue does.


I’d imagine there is an agreed principle to a ‘forecast’ figure of revenue for a cyclical period, and this is what 37% or whatever of is used for player salaries. So it would not change whatever that figure is until the next cycle. Cash flow, as you said, would be the main factor, but as they aren’t paid all it once, they’d not be hindered in this manor I don’t believe. Of all the references I’ve seen of a the player pool agreement, not once have I seen any detail on how the amount is determined.


But yes, that would be a very reasoned look at the consequences, especially compared those I’ve seen in articles on this site. Even with turnonver north of $350 million a year, 20 is still a sizeable chunk. Like this RA’s broadcast deal, they might have smaller sponsorship for a short period to align with everything else, then look to develop the deal further heading into the Lions tour cycle? Perhaps trying to take a deal from low to high like that is unlikely to a long term investor, and NZR want to get a good shortterm deal now so they can capitalize on growth for the Lions (i’m assuming that series has consequences on more than just broadcast deals right).

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LONG READ
LONG READ No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad? No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad?
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