The USA Rugby Men’s National Team will face the New Zealand All Blacks in the fifth meeting of the teams this Saturday, October 23 at FedExField in Washington, D.C. Kick-off for the 1874 Cup is set for 3:30 PM ET. The match is being broadcast on FloRugby.com with tickets to attend the match available here.
Preceding the match at 12:50 pm will be a match between two nationally ranked service academies. Army West Point Rugby enters the match with a 5-1 record, while U.S.N.A Men’s Rugby (Navy) is 5-0. The rivalry between these academies is epic and the match should be one of the collegiate rugby’s finest of the season.
I am proud to join with my Congressional Rugby Caucus Co-Chair @EleanorNorton to welcome the New Zealand @AllBlacks & @USARugby to FedEx Field on Saturday. Sports are an important part of our society, where Americans put partisan politics aside. #Rugby #USARugby pic.twitter.com/2Mg3a2GwMd
— Rep. Alex Mooney (@RepAlexMooney) October 19, 2021
The USA Men’s Eagles vs New Zealand All Blacks
The last match between the Eagles and the All Blacks was a sell-out in 2014 as 61,500 people packed Soldier Field in Chicago. Relive some of that day through the post-match press conferences for both teams.
FedEx Field’s capacity is 82,000, so let’s pack the stadium and set the new USA attendance on October 23! Show World Rugby that the USA is serious about their Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup bids.
American rugby legend Todd Clever believes the All Blacks visit to Washington DC can have long-lasting effects on the growth of rugby in the USA.
Challenges and Opportunites for the USA
With the match falling outside the international test window, USA Rugby Men’s Head Coach, Gary Gold has to rely on his Major League Rugby professionals as his European players are not available. This allows him to showcase players who have been raising the standard of play in the United States.
Three players could earn their first international cap, including starter Ryan James and reserves Chad Gough and Faka’osi Pifeleti, the brother of Eagle Kapeli Pifeleti, who plays for the Saracens.
Gary Gold said that “Facing the No. 2 team in the world is an incredible challenge for anyone and, as we’ve said many times, these are the high-pressure situations we want to put ourselves in.
“Matches like these can be a true test of character as they force split-second decisions in intense and hectic environments. This is an exciting opportunity for us to expose our younger players to the best in the world while allowing our experienced guys to be leaders and help guide the cohesion of the group.
“We are under no illusions for what lies ahead on Saturday. Our preparation has gone well, the spirit in the group is high and we look forward to having a vibrant and vocal home crowd behind us in the nation’s capital.”
USA Men’s Eagles Match-Day 23
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB | CAPS TO DATE |
| 1. Matt Harmon | Prop | NOLA Gold | 4 |
| 2. Dylan Fawsitt | Hooker | Rugby United New York | 19 |
| 3. Paul Mullen | Prop | Utah Warriors | 24 |
| 4. Nate Brakeley | Lock | Rugby United New York | 29 |
| 5. Nick Civetta | Lock | Rugby United New York | 32 |
| 6. Benjamin Bonasso | Flanker | Rugby United New York | 1 |
| 7. Hanco Germishuys | Flanker | Rugby United New York | 26 |
| 8. Cam Dolan | No. 8 | NOLA Gold | 57 |
| 9. Nate Augspurger | Scrumhalf | San Diego Legion | 30 |
| 10. Luke Carty | Flyhalf | LA Giltinis | 5 |
| 11. Ryan Matyas | Wing | San Diego Legion | 13 |
| 12. Bryce Campbell (C) | Center | Austin Gilgronis | 38 |
| 13. Tavite Lopeti | Center | Seattle Seawolves | 4 |
| 14. Ryan James | Wing | LA Giltinis | Debut |
| 15. Will Hooley | Fullback | San Diego Legion | 17 |
| 16. Chad Gough | Reserve Hooker | Utah Warriors | Debut |
| 17. Faka’osi Pifeleti | Reserve Prop | San Diego Legion | Debut |
| 18. Dino Waldren | Reserve Prop | NOLA Gold | 21 |
| 19. Siaosi Mahoni | Reserve Lock | San Diego Legion | 4 |
| 20. Moni Tonga’uiha | Reserve Flanker | NOLA Gold | 1 |
| 21. Andrew Guerra | Reserve Flanker | NOLA Gold | 5 |
| 22. Michael Baska | Reserve Scrumhalf | Utah Warriors | 2 |
| 23. Mike Dabulas | Reserve Flyhalf | Old Glory DC | 1 |
Men’s XVs National Team Traveling Staff
Head Coach | Gary Gold
Asst Coach, Defense | Rob Hoadley
Asst Coach, Backs | Steve Brett
Asst Coach, Forwards | Shawn Pittman
Coach, Strength & Conditioning | Huw Bevan
Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison
Team Doctor | Mark Sakr
Head Physiotherapist | Kristen Douhan
Athletic Trainer | Ron Klingensmith
Sports Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz
Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez
New Zealand All Blacks
The All Blacks Northern Tour 2021 kicks off on Saturday, October 23 at FedEx Field. It is the first of five matches with Wales, Italy, Ireland, and France following on consecutive weekends. All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock assumes the captain’s role for this tour.
The matchday 23 is (Test caps in brackets. New caps in bold)
1. Ethan de Groot (2) 2. Asafo Aumua (4) 3. Angus Ta’avao (19) 4. Samuel Whitelock (127) – captain 5. Tupou Vaa’i (7) 6. Luke Jacobson (10) 7. Dalton Papalii (9) 8. Hoskins Sotutu (8) 9. Finlay Christie (3) 10. Richie Mo’unga (27) 11. George Bridge (16) 12. Quinn Tupaea (4) 13. Braydon Ennor (2) 14. Will Jordan (9) 15. Damian McKenzie (37) 16. Dane Coles (76) 17. George Bower (8) 18. Tyrel Lomax (10) 19. Josh Lord – new cap 20. Sam Cane (74) 21. TJ Perenara (75) 22. Beauden Barrett (98) 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)
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