Redelinghuys finds silver lining as Australia A rout USA XV 61-12 in Nashville

Australia A overwhelmed USA XV 61-12 in Nashville on Saturday, turning a competitive first half into a one-sided second-half rout powered by a squad laden with Super Rugby Pacific talent and nine capped Wallabies.

The match was finely poised at 26-12 at half-time, with the USA briefly threatening after Australia A were reduced to 14 men when David Feliuai was red-carded for a high shot. Michael Baska and Mark O’Keeffe crossed the try line during that period, giving the home side hope heading into the break. But the numerical advantage was short-lived, and Australia A’s superior depth told emphatically in the second half, with a 35-point avalanche sealing the result.

Former Highlanders halfback Nathan Hastie, now with the Western Force, was among the try-scorers during that second-half surge. Former NRL star Zac Lomax did not feature, with Australia A coach Stephen Larkham leaving the code-hopper out of the matchday 23 entirely. NSW Waratahs lock Miles Amatosero, who has since been named in the Wallabies’ Spring Tour squad, was included in the visiting lineup.

Despite the margin, USA XV backrower Mano Redelinghuys remained measured in his assessment after the final whistle. “The boys were a little bit rusty after some time off,” he said. “But yeah, still a lot of positives to be proud of. Keep on working that and building on that. We’ll just fix the mistakes and look forward to next week.”

The USA Eagles had last played during the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup, where they finished fourth, meaning rustiness was perhaps inevitable. Redelinghuys also paid tribute to the Nashville crowd: “The American fans are amazing. You always give us some energy and it makes us go a little bit harder.”

The evening’s double header at the Nashville venue brought better news for the hosts, with the Women’s Eagles defeating Italy 54-24 in the earlier fixture.

Both sides will meet again next weekend in New Jersey, with the rematch serving as another preparation marker for the USA ahead of the November leg of the World Rugby Nations Cup. Coach Scott Lawrence has the Eagles scheduled to face Hong Kong China on November 8, Romania on November 14, and Georgia on November 21.

The USA Eagles entered the Nashville fixture with momentum from an unbeaten July Nations Cup campaign, which included a dramatic victory over Portugal secured by a late Chris Hilsenbeck drop goal.