Rugby World Cup Match Preview - Australia v USA

 

Australia will look to put their shock defeat to Ireland behind them when the take on the United States.

The Wallabies have rung the changes with David Pocock still out and Drew Mitchell replacing James O'Connor with Adam Ashley Cooper switching from left to right wing.

Nathan Sharpe, Scott Higginbotham, James Slipper and Rob Simmons get a start in the pack, after Robbie Deans saw his side dominated by the Irish physically.

While the result looks to be nailed on already, performance will be critical as the Wallabies were slammed in the Australian press.

For the Eagles, only a monumental effort would see them get anything out of the game, and may find themselves victim of bad timing as the Wallabies will be looking to be ruthless with ball in hand and clinical in their finishing.

Former Ireland coach Eddie O Sullivan has made 14 changes for the match and will need to on their best form in order to get anything out of the match.

The USA have failed to score more than one try in six appearances against the Wallabies and there are few indications that the trend is likely to change.

Prediction: Expect a wounded Wallabies side to be ruthless and clinical against a much changed USA side.

The combination of Genia and Cooper should release the Wallabies weaponry in the midfield. Australian win by more than 20 points.

Key Players:

Australia - Quade Cooper will be key as he can dictate play and pick apart teams with brilliant running rugby, as well as possession rugby off the boot.

United States “ Tim Usasz, born in Brisbane, will captain is adopted America for the first time, and will be crucial at scrum half trying to keep the ball for the Eagles

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley Cooper, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Robert Horne, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Quade Cooper 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Ben McCalman 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Pat McCabe.

USA: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Colin Hawley, 13 Tai Enosa, 12 Junior Sifa, 11 Kevin Swiryn, 10 Nese Malifa, 9 Tim Usasz (c), 8 JJ Gagiano, 7 Pat Danahy, 6 Inaki Basauri, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Scott LaValla, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Shawn Pittman.

Replacements: 16 Brian McClenahan, 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 18 Louis Stanfill, 19 Nic Johnson, 20 Mike Petri, 21 Roland Suniula, 22 Chris Wyles.