Larkham names 12 Wallabies in Australia A squad for two-match USA tour

Stephen Larkham has named a 27-man Australia A squad containing 12 Wallabies for a two-match tour of the United States, with tests scheduled in Nashville on October 24 and New Jersey on October 30. Queensland Reds fly-half Tom Lynagh and hooker Matt Faessler, who will captain the side, are among the most prominent selections.

Recently capped lock Miles Amatosero, who made his Wallabies debut against Italy during the July Nations Championship Tests and also featured against Japan in Osaka, is included alongside a core of players with established international experience. Nick Frost, Tom Robertson, Lachlan Lonergan, Tane Edmed, Dylan Pietsch and Luke Reimer all bring Test caps to the group, as do Kalani Thomas and Zane Nonggorr, who have been selected specifically to accumulate more game time at this level.

Uncapped forward Toby Macpherson, who was named in the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup series without earning a cap, is handed another opportunity as one of 16 forwards in the party. Olympians Corey Toole and Lachlan Anderson, Queensland Reds flyer Tim Ryan, Western Force standouts Mac Grealy and Nathan Hastie, and ACT Brumbies centre Kadin Pritchard complete the backs.

“It’s pleasing to pull together such a strong group of players for what will be a testing tour against genuine international opposition,” Larkham said. “A lot of the players selected have performed well across Super Rugby AUS and to have a number of Wallabies in the mix shows the depth that is being created across the Australian Rugby system.”

Australia A face a USA Eagles side that went unbeaten across three July Tests in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup. The touring party departs for the United States on October 18.

Australia A squad

Forwards: Miles Amatosero (NSW Waratahs), Joe Brial (Queensland Reds), Ethan Dobbins (NSW Waratahs), Eamon Doyle (NSW Waratahs), Matt Faessler — c (Queensland Reds), Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies), Will Harris (Western Force), Lington Ieli (ACT Brumbies), Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds), Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies), Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies), Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds), Luke Reimer (NSW Waratahs), Tom Robertson (Western Force), Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies), Rhys van Nek (ACT Brumbies).

Backs: Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds), Tane Edmed (ACT Brumbies), David Feliuai (ACT Brumbies), Mac Grealy (Western Force), Nathan Hastie (Western Force), Tom Lynagh (Queensland Reds), Dylan Pietsch (Western Force), Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies), Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds), Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds), Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies).