Wallabies scrum‑half Nick Phipps says Australia will not underestimate the United States in the last Rugby World Cup warm‑up match for both teams tonight at Soldier Field in Chicago.
USA coach, Mike Tolkin said although they are ranked 16th in the world they will not be intimidated by the No2‑ranked Wallabies.
James Slipper will fill in as captain for Stephen Moore, becoming the first prop to lead the Wallabies in almost four decades.
Moore, along with the regular vice‑captains Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley‑Cooper, and the former captain David Pocock are being rested before the World Cup, which starts in England in two weeks.
Backrower Ben McCalman and inside center Matt Giteau are vice‑captains this week.
Both players are returning to the starting side, while forwards Tatafu Polota‑Nau, Kane Douglas, and Sean McMahon and backs Joe Tomane and Kurtley Beale were picked for their first starting appearances of the season.
The last time the USA Eagles played at Soldier Field, 61,500 people watched a second‑string All Blacks side thrash them 74‑6.
The Eagles have upcoming World Cup pool matches against Japan, Samoa, Scotland, and South Africa.
The Wallabies will take on the USA Eagles at 11.30 tonight while Ireland will meet England at 3.30am tomorrow.
Lineups:
USA: Blaine Scully; Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo, Chris Wyles (capt); AJ MacGinty, Mike Petri; Eric Fry, Zach Fenoglio, Titi Lamositele, Cam Dolan, Greg Peterson, Al McFarland, Andrew Duratolo, Samu Manoa.
Replacements: Phil Thiel, Olive Kilifi, Chris Baumann, Louis Stanfill, John Quill, Danny Barrett, Shalom Suniula, Folau Niua.
Australia: Kurtley Beale; Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; James Slipper (capt), Tatafu Polota‑Nau, Greg Holmes, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: James Hanson, Scott Sio, Toby Smith, Dean Mumm, Sam Carter, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Taqele Naiyaravo.
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