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Former Wales Sevens international handed USA debut

261 days ago

(Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Toby Fricker will make his US Men’s Eagles debut in Tokyo this Saturday after being selected at full-back for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup semi-final against Fiji.

Fricker, 29, was born in Wales and played for Wales Sevens and Wales Students but qualifies for USA through his New Orleans-born mother.

This summer he joined MLR’s New England Free Jacks, having previously played club rugby for Ospreys, Bristol and Ebbw Vale.

Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

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Simon Raiwalui on the reimagined Pacific Nations Cup 2024

New World Rugby High Performance Pathways and Player Development Manager Simon Raiwalui chatted to Liam Heagney about the new look Pacific Nations Cup, comprising of Fiji, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Canada and the USA.

USA’s matchday 23 doesn’t include either of the two leading performers, fly-half Luke Carty and No.8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, with head coach Scott Lawrence opting to make seven changes of personnel and one positional switch for the team’s first encounter with Fiji in 10 years.

Greg Peterson is the only Eagles player present in the matchday squad to have played in the last fixture in Vannes in November 2014, a 20-14 win for Fiji, but the veteran lock has to be content with a place on the bench.

Australian-born Peterson led the Eagles in the first two matches of the Pacific Nations Cup but Nate Augspurger has stepped into the role.

The veteran wing, who scored twice against Japan last weekend, captains USA for the sixth time in his 46th test. The 34-year-old from Minnesota last performed the role in November at La Vila International Rugby Cup. He has Fricker and Conner Mooneyham for company in the back three.

Carty’s place at 10 is taken by Chris Mattina, while Ruben de Haas continues at scrum-half. Rand Santos, a star of USA’s run to the final of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy final earlier this year, is set to make his test debut after being named as fly-half cover.

In midfield, Tavite Lopeti shifts to inside-centre to accommodate Dominic Besag’s return to the 13 jersey.

Peterson’s omission leaves the USA starting XV very light on caps, with only four players including Augspurger getting into double figures for caps won.

Another is 38-cap prop Paul Mullen, who has been promoted from the bench along with hooker Sean McNulty. Jack Iscaro continues at loose-head.

Vili Helu is now partnered in the second row by Jason Damm, while Paddy Ryan and Cory Daniel continue to team up at flanker but with Thomas Tu’avao at No.8 instead of the competition’s top ball carrier Fa’anana-Schultz.

USA team to face Fiji:

1. Jack Iscaro
2. Sean McNulty
3. Paul Mullen
4. Viliami Helu
5. Jason Damm
6. Paddy Ryan
7. Cory Daniel
8. Thomas Tu’avao
9. Ruben de Haas
10. Chris Mattina
11. Nate Augspurger
12. Tavite Lopeti
13. Dominic Besag
14. Conner Mooneyham
15. Toby Fricker

Replacements:
16. Kapeli Pifeleti
17. Jake Turnbull
18. Pono Davis
19. Greg Peterson
20. Tesimoni Tonga’uiha
21. Bryce Campebell
22. Rand Santos
23. JP Smith

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 18 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 18 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 18 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 18 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 18 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 18 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 18 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍