USA
14
FT
New Zealand
104
The All Blacks head to Washington D.C. to take on the USA in a match that could well kick-start a push for the 2031 Rugby World Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:30am (AEDT).
The result of this one is almost irrelevant: it would take an upset of monolithic proportions for the USA to take down a strong All Blacks side. However, with up to 50,000 fans expected at FedEx Field in the nation’s capital, an exciting match that captivates the crowd would give World Rugby plenty to ponder with the 2027 and 2031 World Cups yet to be locked in.
The teams will be playing for the inaugural 1874 Cup, named as a tribute to the year rugby was first played in the United States: a college match between McGill and Harvard Universities.
On the field, the All Blacks will be looking to ease back in several stars who missed their Rugby Championship triumph through injury. Designated captain Sam Cane plays his first Test of the season off the bench following surgery on a pectoral injury, though it will be Sam Whitelock leading the team. Dane Coles is another returnee after a calf injury wiped out his Championship.
Debutant Josh Lord gets his first jersey, also off the bench; while rising star Finlay Christie will start at halfback for the first time.
This is the fourth time the All Blacks have taken on the USA, with the Eagles yet to score a try against the champions in their first three. Most recently, the All Blacks triumphed 74-6 in 2014 in Chicago, while their most recent match before that was a 46-6 New Zealand win at the 1991 World Cup.
Game information
Venue: FedEx Field, Washington D.C.
Kick-off: 6:30am (AEDT)
TV (New Zealand only): Sky Sport 1
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: USA $101, All Blacks N/A (odds via PlayUp)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Teams
New Zealand
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Sam Whitelock (c), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Luke Jacobson, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. George Bridge, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie
Replacements
16. Dane Coles, 17. George Bower, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Sam Cane, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
USA
1. Matt Harmon, 2. Dylan Fawsitt, 3. Paul Mullen, 4. Nate Brakele, 5. Nick Civetta, 6. Benjamin Bonasso, 7. Hanco Germishuy, 8. Cam Dolan, 9. Nate Augspurger, 10. Luke Carty, 11. Ryan Matyas, 12. Bryce Campbell (c), 13. Tavite Lopeti, 14. Ryan James, 15. Will Hooley
Replacements
16. Chad Gough, 17. Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18. Dino Waldren, 19. Siaosi Mahoni, 20. Moni Tonga’uiha, 21. Andrew Guerra, 22. Michael Baska, 23. Mike Dabulas
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
What happened to their 2nd string team then?
Faith
Roar Rookie
Precisely. DMac runs riot. So what. Its clear her can't play against the big teams. This just provides a false illusion about what it needed. ABs really need to get real Tests next year. All other Tier 1 nations did that this year. Best we know exactly where Fozzie's mob stands against England, France and Boks ... at least ABs playing France ... I just hope its A.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Probably true
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
The Cardiff stadium is sold out.
biltong
Guest
What is the benefit for putting out a USA C team? I mean who benefits anything out of that, how is it entertaining to Americans to see their team lose by 90 points?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The money is not. I’m unsure having a possible WC host nation exposed as having no clothes is though. USA were clearly not ready for this step up with the players available. It’s a similar story with AB Wales match outside the window where that host team will be grossly under strength also. If the ABs pump another 50 past a second string side, who benefits?
Double Agent
Guest
This is incredibly good news. From now on I won't be including any pre-1950s Bledisloe Cup losses in the total!!! :laughing:
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
How does seven less make them third string? AB also used their third string.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Oh, easy. The benefit to the NZRU is that the US is willing to pay them mucho money. Is that against the spirit of the game?
Chufortah
Guest
It’s exactly why they need the World Cup. Plus it was the third string team as their 7 best players in Europe.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
While WR is grilling Erasmus on matters contrary to the spirit of the game, perhaps ask questions about the benefit of playing these sort of matches
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Ethics? Money makes the world go round....
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
I mentioned in another post how relatively expensive it would have been for us to go to the game from LA. Between airline tickets, hotels, food, other transport and quite expensive tickets to see AB "C" play USA "B". Not worth it. I don't know how many times I have come across by Roarers as pessimistic describing USA rugby. I'm not pessimistic, I'm a realist.
Faith
Roar Rookie
ABs also did Aus a favour. After that beating how does U.S host World Cup?
Faith
Roar Rookie
This was USA C!
Faith
Roar Rookie
Nope. Good entertainment for all but says little other than the US have really gone backwards like Canada if you compare with Japan, Uruaguay ... ABs have had many nothing games i.e Fiji series and compared to WBs who played France B/C and going to face England while ABs playing Wales C. Just wonder what ABs are thinking two years out of a RWC with '21 fixtures.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FULL TIME!!! USA: 14 New Zealand: 104 The All Blacks have beaten the USA Eagles by....well...a lot in Washington DC. The final score was 104 - 14 and the score tells you the nature of the game. The All Blacks will be more interested in what didn't work rather than what did work as they will be frustrated by some of the mistakes and poor discipline at times. The Kiwis will be disappointed that they lost some rhythm as they made their subs and while it's understandable, they will know that it's important for them to get rid of those bumpy transitions. It was great to see Sam Cane make his come back and to see Josh Lord get his debut. TJ Perenara was disappointing in the second half as he forced things too often with ball in hand. With quite a bit of competition for the starting no 9 slot, he'll need to improve. Nate Augspurger was everywhere for the USA and he should be very proud of his performance and his try. Did we learn that much from today? Not really but let's hope that the USA embrace rugby some more and invest in the game more over the coming years as it would be great to see another country rise up the ladder like Japan have done. They are a long way from that but hopefully this sort of game gets a few more people interested and a bit more attention on the game. The Kiwis head to Europe now and will play Wales, Italy, Ireland and France over the coming weeks. They will be much harder contests but this Kiwi side should come through them all unbeaten. Have a great Sunday and thanks for all the chat!
SB
Guest
Thanks for the call Oliver! Not much you can really take from a game like that...
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION!!! McKenzie slots the extras and that's the ball game. USA: 14 New Zealand: 104 Time: 81:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
TRY!!! TJ Perenara is in!! He finishes off a lovely move and the All Blacks have brought up the 100! USA: 14 New Zealand: 102 Time: 81:00