22-year-old Kadin Pritchard will play his first senior match in gold, named at outside centre for Australia A’s clash with the United States of America in Nashville on Sunday morning AEDT.
He’ll partner ACT Brumbies teammate David Feliuai in the midfield, with Perth’s Nathan Hastie and Wallaby number 990 Tane Edmed to link up in the halves.
Edmed is one of nine Wallabies in the matchday 23, including an all-Wallaby tight five consisting of props Tom Robertson and Zane Nonggorr, hooker and captain Matt Faessler and lock pairing Miles Amatosero and Nick Frost.
Dylan Pietsch is the other starting Wallaby, named on the left edge with Queensland’s Tim Ryan on the right wing and Mac Grealy completing the back three.
Will Harris, Rory Scott and Joe Brial make up a physical and mobile loose forward trio.
NSW Waratah Ethan Dobbins is the replacement hooker, joined by new Reds recruit Tom Lambert and ACT Brumby Rhys van Nek in the substitute front row.
Following from his first Wallabies squad selection during the Bledisloe Cup Series, Toby Macpherson has earned game time in his first senior Australian side, as has former Australian Under 20s captain Eamon Doyle who are the remaining forward cover.
Having pulled on Wallaby gold in Sydney for the second Bledisloe Cup Test last weekend, Kalani Thomas and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips are the substitute playmakers, with Olympian Lachie Anderson finalising the matchday 23.
The match will be broadcast live on Stan Sport and is the first of two matches against the Eagles in the USA.
Australia A Head Coach Stephen Larkham said: “As coaches, we think this team has a good mix of experienced Wallabies who can lead the way for some younger players who have earned the right to test themselves for the first time at international level.
“Pulling on a gold jersey is always a special occasion and we’ve prepared well for what’s going to be a strong challenge against the Eagles on their home soil on Saturday.”
- Tom Robertson (Western Force – Dubbo Roos)
- Matt Faessler (c) (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints)
- Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds – Gold Coast Eagles)
- Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies – Hornsby Lions)
- Miles Amatosero (NSW Waratahs – South Coogee Red Devils)
- Will Harris (Western Force – Norths Pirates)
- Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies - Canberra Royals)
- Joe Brial (Queensland Reds - Easts (Sydney))
- Nathan Hastie (Western Force – Wanneroo Rugby Club)\
- Tane Edmed (ACT Brumbies – West Harbour Juniors)
- Dylan Pietsch (Western Force – Leeton Phantoms)
- David Feliuai (ACT Brumbies – Sunnybank Dragons)
- Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies – Springfield Hawks)
- Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds – Brothers Rugby)
- Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba) Substitutes
- Ethan Dobbins (NSW Waratahs – Wests Bulldogs)
- Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds – West Harbour Juniors)
- Rhys Van Nek (ACT Brumbies - Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
- Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies – Goondiwindi Junior Emus)
- Eamon Doyle (NSW Waratahs - Woonona Shamrocks)
- Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds – Springfield Hawks)
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips (Western Force – Gunnedah Red Devils)
- Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds - Dural Rugby Club)
Australia A v USA Eagles, 9:00 am AEDT on Sunday 25 October at Geodis Park Stadium, Nashville
Australia A v USA Eagles, 10:00 am AEDT on Saturday 31 October at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey.
