South Africa-born flanker to captain new-look USA XV against Australia A

South Africa-born backrower Marno Redelinghuys will captain a new-look USA XV in the second clash with Australia A, with coach Scott Lawrence rotating most of the starting side ahead of the match at New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium.

Wallabies great Stephen Larkham coached Australia A to a dominant 61-12 win in Nashville last weekend. Michael Baska and Mark O’Keeffe crossed for a try each in the first half, but the USA XV conceded 35 unanswered points during the second term.

USA Eagles captain Jason Damm has been shifted out of the matchday 23 for the first time this season, before World Rugby Nations Cup Tests next month. Redelinghuys instead takes on the captaincy duties, in what is almost an entirely new starting XV.

Paddy Ryan has been retained at openside flanker, but the backrower otherwise looks different with Redelinghuys at blindside and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz at No. 8. Australian-born Nathan Den Hoedt forms a new-look second row pairing with Sam Golla.

Ezekiel Lindenmuth comes into the run-on side at loosehead prop, and Kalbe Geiger replaces Shilo Klein at hooker. Mason Pedersen rounds out the front-row trio at tighthead prop, with Tonga Kofe providing cover off the bench.

Ruben De Haas returns to the No. 9 jersey after coming off the bench last weekend, effectively swapping places with Wales-raised Oscar Lennon. Luke Carty is back in the run-on side at fly-half, while Chris Hilsenebck is out of the matchday 23 altogether.

Former New England Patriots player Cassh Maluia will line up at inside centre, partnering Wayne van der Bank in a new midfield combination. Coach Lawrence has changed both wingers, with Joe Mano and Conner Mooneyham now in the team, and David Coetzer starts at fullback.

“It is widely accepted among international high-performance experts that developing an international-level player generally takes five to seven years of full-time professional rugby with meaningful minutes week in and week out,” Lawrence said.

“It is also well established that Nations Cup teams have historically struggled to build depth beyond their starting XV. In previous years, the Eagles have often been one injury, one unavailable player, or one individual’s performance away from being unable to perform when it matters most.

“In 2026, we’ve set out to address that challenge by prioritising long-term development over short-term results during this two-to-three-month block. We’ve replicated the demands of a Rugby World Cup schedule, including the challenges of travel and competition, while giving more players meaningful opportunities to develop through international competition ahead of the 2027 domestic professional season and the World Cup.

“Every player selected for the USA XV this weekend has earned the opportunity to represent this team. These experiences strengthen both the individual and the team. The more players we prepare to perform at this level, the more competitive, resilient, and adaptable we become as we build toward 2027 and 2031.”

USA XV to take on Australia A in New Jersey