‘Still a lot of positives’ for USA XV despite Australia A defeat

USA XV backrower Mano Redelinghuys believes there are “still a lot of positives” to take out of a 61-12 defeat to Australia A in Nashville, as the visiting side full of Super Rugby Pacific talent ran away with it during a dominant second half.

Michael Baska and Mark O’Keeffe found the try line just before the break, as the USA XV began to make the most of their one-man advantage. The Aussies had gone down to 14 men for 20 minutes after David Feliuai was red-carded for a high shot, but still took a decent lead into the sheds.

It was a 14-point ball game at the break, with the USA trailing 26-12, but the second half was one-way traffic in favour of the Aussies. Former Highlanders halfback Nathan Hastie, who is now with the Western Force, was among the try-scorers during the 35-point avalanche.

The USA Eagles last took the field during the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, where they finished fourth last month. While the Australia A clash wasn’t a Test match, an Eagles-heavy side faced a team in gold that featured nine capped Wallabies.

“The boys were a little bit rusty [after] some time off,” Redelinghuys said on the broadcast post-game.

“But yeah, still a lot of positives to be proud of. Keep on working that and building on that.

“We’ll just fix the mistakes and look forward to next week.”

USA Rugby held a double header at the Nashville venue, with the Women’s Eagles securing an emphatic 54-24 victory against Italy. The USA XV’s match followed, with a visiting team littered with frontline Super Rugby Pacific players.

Former NRL star Zac Lomax didn’t take the field, with coach Stephen Larkham leaving the code-hopper out of the matchday 23. It’s a side that included NSW Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero, who has been named in the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad.

But for both the USA XV and Australia A, their focus now shifts to the second meeting between the sides next weekend in New Jersey. It looms as another important marker for the Americans, who are preparing for the November leg of the World Rugby Nations Cup.

“It’s always amazing,” Redelinghuys added.

“The American fans are amazing. Thank you for coming out, appreciate it. You always give us some energy and it makes us go a little bit harder so thank you very much for being out here.”

The USA Eagles went through the July Nations Cup Tests unbeaten. It began with a thriller against Portugal, with Chris Hilsenbeck slotting a late match-winner to beat a side that has also booked their place at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.

Coach Scott Lawrence will oversee an Eagles side against Hong Kong China on November 8, Romania on November 14 and Georgia on November 21.