Live on RugbyPass TV: Greg Peterson set for milestone as USA name team

Following their gritty win over Portugal, the USA Eagles have set their sights on delivering “a full 80-minute performance” against Tonga. As part of a double header hosted by World Rugby, Saturday’s Test match in Chambery, Franc, will be broadcast live on RugbyPass TV.

San Diego Legions’ Greg Peterson will lead the USA into battle in his 50^th international appearance for the Eagles. Peterson will pack down alongside seven-Test lock Jason Damm in the team’s second row.

Jack Iscaro, Shilo Klein and Alex Maughan make up a solid front-row combination, while the backrow consists of San Diego Legions’ Viliami Helu, Old Glory DC’s Cory Daniel, and 12-Test enforcer Paddy Ryan.

In the backs, scrumhalf Ruben de Haas will link up with Bristol Bears flyhalf AJ MacGinty in a halves duo that boats 72 Test caps between them. Tavite Lopeti and Dominic Besag are the centre pairing, with Besag being a highly touted prospect from Saint Mary’s College.

 

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The outside backs consist of an incredibly exciting trio, including veteran Nate Augspurger who lines up on the left edge. Former Major League Rugby No. 1 overall pick Conner Mooneyham has been named on the right once again, while Mitch Wilson is the starting fullback.

There are two potential debutants on the bench with Mikey Grandy and Mark O’Keeffe both in line to enter the Test arena for the first time. The bench boasts a mix of potential and experience, also including one-Test Eagle Tomas Casares and 37-Test veteran Paul Mullen.

“We will continue to work toward delivering a full 80-minute performance focus,” head coach Scott Lawrence said in a statement. As this team grows, we are learning the consistent intensity required in both preparation and Test matches.”

The USA and Tonga both participated in World Rugby’s Pacific Nation Cup but they didn’t get the chance to meet during that tournament. Tonga are coming off a loss to Romania last time out, while the USA got the better of Portugal 21-17 last Saturday.

This clash between Tonga and the USA in Chambery is scheduled to get underway at 11:30 am ET on Saturday, November 16. This is the Eagles’ second of three matches in November, with the Americans set to take on Spain in Madrid next weekend.

USA Men’s Eagles to take on Tonga

1. Jack Iscaro
2. Shilo Klein
3. Alex Maughan
4. Jason Damm
5. Greg Peterson (c)
6. Viliami Helu
7. Cory Daniel
8. Paddy Ryan
9. Ruben de Haas
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Nate Augspurger
12. Tavita Lopeti
13. Dominic Besag
14. Conner Mooneyham
15. Mitch Wilson

Replacements

16. Kapeli Pifeleti
17. Jake Turnbull
18. Paul Mullen
19. Tomas Casares
20. Mikey Grandy*
21. Ethan McVeigh
22. Mark O’Keeffe*
23. Luke Carty

*Denotes potential debut