The scrum-half Nick Phipps says Australia will not underestimate the United States in the last Rugby World Cup warm-up for both teams on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The USA coach, Mike Tolkin, has said his side, ranked 16th in the world, will not be intimidated by the No2-ranked Wallabies. That does not surprise Phipps.
“They never would be,” Phipps said. “They should cause a couple of upsets at the World Cup. They have some very big, dominant forwards. They have got some really big, tall timber in the second row. They also have got a couple of centres that are hard runners, and are quite skilful in the offload area as well. They have got threats all around the park.”
Phipps has been included in an experimental Australia XV. James Slipper will fill in as captain for Stephen Moore, becoming the first prop to lead the Wallabies in almost four decades. Moore, along with the regular vice-captains Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper, and the former captain David Pocock, are being rested before the World Cup, which starts in England in two weeks.
Backrower Ben McCalman and inside center Matt Giteau are vice-captains this week. Both players are returning to the starting side, while forwards Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas, and Sean McMahon and backs Joe Tomane and Kurtley Beale were picked for their first starting appearances of the season.
“This is a really important match for us as a group, especially with a couple of boys making their debuts,” Slipper said.
Tolkin feels the same way.
“If we want to consider ourselves a team who is on the rise in world rugby, then we need to stand up to them,” he said.
He was confident the Americans will not harbour any bad memories from the last time they played at Soldier Field. Last November, 61,500 watched as a second-string All Blacks thrashed them 74-6.
“Win, lose, or draw, we want to see a quality performance over 80 minutes, where the opposition feels pressured on both sides of the ball all game,” Tolkin said. “Whatever the outcome, if we can do that, we will have had a successful final tune-up match.”
The US had two wins in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, beating Japan and Canada (and the Eagles also beat Canada in a recent World Cup warm-up), but lost to Samoa and Tonga.
Tolkin announced a 31-man squad this week, and it included 21 World Cup rookies after Seattle captain Matt Trouville became a late inclusion after France-based back-rower Scott LaValla broke an elbow in training. LaValla, who was set to play in his second World Cup, helped Stade Francais to the Top 14 championship last season, and Tolkin described him as “invaluable.”
“In terms of Rugby World Cup experience, yes, this is a relatively inexperienced group,” Tolkin said. “However, while the Rugby World Cup is a whole different kettle of fish, many of these players do have a fair bit of international play under their belts since 2011.”
Winger Chris Wyles will captain the team on Saturday and mark his 50th test.
The Eagles have upcoming World Cup pool matches against Japan, Samoa, Scotland, and South Africa.
Lineups
Australia Kurtley Beale, Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Wycliff Palu, Sean McMahon, Ben McCalman, Rob Simmons, Kane Douglas, Greg Holmes, Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper (captain). Reserves: James Hanson, Scott Sio, Toby Smith, Dean Mumm, Sam Carter, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Taqele Naiyaravoro.
USA Blaine Scully, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo, Chris Wyles (captain), AJ MacGinty, Mike Petri; Samu Manoa, Andrew Durutalo, Al McFarland, Greg Peterson, Cameron Dolan, Titi Lamositele, Zach Fenoglio, Eric Fry. Reserves: Phil Thiel, Olive Kilifi, Chris Baumann, Louis Stanfill, John Quill, Danny Barrett, Shalom Suniula, Folau Niua.