Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Head coach John Mitchell will start World Cup flyhalf AJ MacGinty at inside center against Uruguay on Saturday. The surprise selection sees 20-year-old Junior All-American star Ben Cima handed his test debut in the no10 shirt, with uncapped Denver Stampede standout Will Magie included among the reserves. Also named for the first time is Ohio Aviators hooker Peter Malcolm, with uncapped Live University prop Alex Maughan and Brigham Young lock Matt Jensen on the bench.
Loosehead prop Anthony Purpura wins a recall for the first time since 2010, with flanker John Quill and wing Zack Test each making their return having been absent since the World Cup. Al McFarland makes only his second test start at the no8 position, and Mike Te’o is trusted with the fullback spot with captain Blaine Scully named on the wing.
The Eagles were upset by Uruguay in last year’s competition, losing 29-25 in Montevideo, while the Select XV side were routed by Uruguay ‘A’ 47-15 in October. Eight players who took part in one or both of those matches will have an immediate chance for redemption.
Saturday’s match takes place at San Antonio’s Toyota Field. Kickoff is set for 3:10pm local, 6:10pm Montevideo time. The match will be broadcast live on The Rugby Channel in the USA, and ESPN Sur in South America.
USA EAGLES
1 Anthony Purpura, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 John Quill, 7 Todd Clever, 8 Al McFarland, 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Ben Cima, 11 Zack Test, 12 AJ MacGinty, 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Blaine Scully (capt.), 15 Mike Te’o
RESERVES: 16 James Hilterbrand, 17 Alex Maughan, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 Matt Jensen, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Shaun Davies, 22 Will Magie, 23 JP Eloff
