Online Reporter
CALIFORNIA Legion backrower Lance Williams is a couple of days away from becoming the latest debutant for the United States Men’s Eagles, named at blindside flanker ahead of the team’s first-ever Test rugby against Zimbabwe tomorrow morning.
The match starts at 1.30am (Zimbabwean time).
Williams, who has previously played for the USA on the HSBC SVNS Series and Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby, has been brought all the way into the starting side as the Eagles look to make it two from two in the World Rugby Nations Cup.
Head Coach Scott Lawrence has made a series of changes to the First XV that overcame Portugal in a 30-29 thriller last weekend, with Makeen Alikhan and Williams packing down in the loose forwards alongside Cory Daniel.
Alex Maughan replaces Kapeli Pifeleti at hooker, and there has been a forced change out wide with Rufus McLean out injured. Conner Mooneyham, who was the first-ever number one pick in MLR Draft history, has been named on the right wing.
The rest of the team remains fairly settled, with captain Jason Damm leading a side that includes the exciting halves pairing of Ruben De Haas and Chris Hilsenbeck. Hilsenbeck kicked a long-range match-winner against Portugal last time out.
“We now know the priority areas where we need to improve, and our attention is now fully on this weekend’s performance against a talented team and staff from Zimbabwe,” coach Lawrence said.
This is the first-ever meeting between these two nations, and following their late win against Rugby Europe Men’s Championship winners Portugal, the USA will be a formidable opponent for Zimbabwe.
They (Eagles) will be looking to build on the momentum of that fantastic win by taking on the Sables, who narrowly lost to Tonga, but played some sublime rugby in the process.
The Sables keep seven of their starting XV from last week, with a full squad that features a strong core of players who helped secure Zimbabwe’s qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2027, including Tinotenda Mavesere, Hilton Mudariki, Jason Fraser and Matthew McNab.
In the squad are exciting young talent such as Liam Larkan and Edward Sigauke, although they have lost Farai Mudariki to an injury.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have four changes to their starting side for this weekend. Flanker Williams, who has played for the USA Sevens team, will make his international debut in his first start at the age of 33.
All eyes will again be on Chris Hilsenbeck, whose goal-kicking heroics sealed the 30-29 win over Portugal.
Meanwhile, Jack Iscaro is set for his 20th appearances in a USA Eagles jumper, packing down at loosehead pro. Maughan and tighthead prop Tonga Kofe round out the front-row, while Nathan Den Hoedt joins captain Damm in the second-row. – Agencies.
