Nine Wallabies named as Australia A target USA XV on home soil in Nashville

Stephen Larkham has named nine Wallabies in a 23-man Australia A squad to face a USA XV in Nashville on Saturday, with Queensland Reds hooker Matt Faessler leading the side as captain.

The most notable feature of the selection is an entirely Wallaby-capped tight five. Tom Robertson starts at loosehead prop, Zane Nonggorr at tighthead, and Nick Frost partners Miles Amatosero in the second row — all four established internationals packing down in front of Faessler.

Fly-half Tane Edmed and winger Dylan Pietsch are the other Wallabies in the starting XV, while Western Force scrum-half Nathan Hastie, who has been in strong form in Super Rugby, links up with Edmed in the halves. David Feliuai starts at inside centre, with ACT Brumbies centre Kadin Pritchard set for his first senior appearance in a gold jersey at outside centre. Mac Grealy completes the back three at fullback alongside Pietsch and Tim Ryan.

In the back row, Will Harris and Rory Scott start on the flanks, with Joe Brial at number nine completing the loose forward trio. Larkham has opted for a 5-3 bench split, with NSW Waratahs Super Rugby AUS captain Eamon Doyle providing backrow cover from the replacements.

Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips — who made his Wallabies debut last weekend in the 43-21 defeat to the All Blacks in Sydney — are among the backs named on the bench, alongside Queensland Reds flyer Lachie Anderson.

“As coaches, we think this team has a good mix of experienced Wallabies who can lead the way for some younger players who have earned the right to test themselves for the first time at international level,” Larkham said.

“Pulling on a gold jersey is always a special occasion and we’ve prepared well for what’s going to be a strong challenge against the Eagles on their home soil on Saturday.”

The match takes place in Nashville, with Australia A facing a USA XV that is expected to feature a significant number of Eagles internationals.