‘Like a fine wine’: Australian-born prop earns USA Eagles debut at 34

At 34 years of age, Australian-born prop Charlie Abel will make a hard-earned debut for the USA Men’s Eagles in a World Rugby Nations Cup clash with Spain. Abel initially moved Stateside ahead of the 2021 Major League Rugby season, having played for two clubs since.

Following stints with the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels, Abel won an MLR Championship with the LA Giltinis as a rookie. The front-rower has since become a two-time champ, starting in the big dance as the Chicago Hounds defeated California Legion on June 22.

Abel was one of seven uncapped prospects named in the Eagles squad for the all-new Nations Cup competition, but didn’t take the field in the team’s first two fixtures against Portugal in Denver and Zimbabwe at Charlotte’s American Legion Memorial Stadium.

The USA won both of those matches against other sides bound for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and are now looking to maintain that unbeaten run against Spain. Jason Damm captains a side that boasts 310 Test caps between the 22 players, not including the potential debutant.

Abel has been selected on the bench alongside 29-Test playmaker Luke Carty and 28-Test centre Tavite Lopeti.  It’s been a long journey getting to this point, but the Australian-born talent is now just days away from a taste of international rugby.

“It’s been a long time in the works. It’s been a goal of his,” USA coach Scott Lawrence told reporters.

“For him, 34 as a tighthead prop, he’s vintage now, he’s at his best. He’s like a fine wine so to speak.

“He’s such an unbeaten character, he brings something different to the environment, and you can see why he just loves the game and that’s what keeps you playing for a long time is he just loves the game.

“That can be infectious among the group as well.”

Abel is one of two Australian-born players in the USA matchday 23, with second-rower Nathan Den Hoedt packing down for his third appearance. Den Hoedt debuted for the Eagles in the 30-29 win against Portugal, before scoring a maiden Test try the next week.

Den Hoedt is another 2026 MLR champion with the Hounds, having started in all 10 appearances for Chicago last season. The lock touched down for three tries, including an important five-pointer in the championship game.

“The thing that I liked most about then is there’s many players that come over here, they come over here to make a life. They decide early that they want to play for the United States, they make that clear years in advance. They pursue it… but it is personal sacrifice to play the sport and stay in the country and work with visas and be here for long enough to achieve that goal,” Lawrence said on Thursday.

“By the time that player arrives and is eligible for the US, they have paid an enormous debt to do that. It’s not taken lightly by anybody.

“I’ll just go on to say, their clubs, Major League Rugby clubs that are helping them, supporting them, their families, etcetera, it’s an al-in thing to be able to come here and do it.

“They’re like many in that when they get here, there’s a true appreciation to wear the jersey and it’s not a goal that just happened by accident. You had to start five years ago, the intention to do it, so it’s a big honour for them and for us.”

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