Starting XV named for Selects' final match on Tour
SALTA, Argentina – The USA Rugby Selects will finish their South American Tour against Argentina Jaguars Saturday, May 2, at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena.
Following a 13-3 victory against Uruguay in Montevideo April 23, the Selects found conditions difficult against the Jaguars in Salta Tuesday, April 28, in a 54-6 defeat. AJ MacGinty, starting at fly half for the second consecutive match, leads the team in scoring on Tour with 11 points, including all six in the match in Argentina.
Having not been named to the starting XV or bench earlier in the week, Olive Kilifi returns to the squad at loose head prop in place of Angus MacLellan, who suffered an ACL injury Tuesday. Zach Fenoglio also regains his spot in the front row between Kilifi and Chris Baumann.
Al McFarland moves from eight man to blind side flanker for Saturday’s match, with John Quill and Matt Trouville also providing strength at the back of the scrum. Louis Stanfill and his 51 international caps will provide senior leadership in the forwards with John Cullen alongside him in the second row.
Seamus Kelly will captain the side for the second time on Tour from the outside center position, while Ronald McLean will start at inside center, his third position played in as many matches. Troy Hall will provide cover for the backs at full back, with Tim Stanfill and Zach Pangelinan patrolling the wings.
MacGinty and Shalom Suniula will hope to find the continuity of an international half back pairing after having played together Tuesday against the Jaguars, though Tolkin expressed his and the players’ disappointment with the amount of opportunities awarded to Argentina and the lack of aggression on offense.
Kickoff at Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET Saturday. Broadcast details in the U.S. have not yet been finalized.
USA Rugby Selects | v. Argentina
1. Olive Kilifi
2. Zach Fenoglio
3. Chris Baumann
4. Louis Stanfill
5. John Cullen
6. Al McFarland
7. John Quill
8. Matt Trouville
9. Shalom Suniula
10. AJ MacGinty
11. Tim Stanfill
12. Ronald McLean
13. Seamus Kelly (C)
14. Zach Pangelinan
15. Troy Hall
USA Rugby Selects | Reserves
16. Phil Thiel
17. Mike Shepherd
18. Nick Wallace
19. Ben Landry
20. Nicholas Barrett
21. Niku Kruger
22. Lemoto Filikitonga
23. Colton Cariaga
Argentina | v. USA Rugby Selects
1. Lucas Noguera Paz
2. Santiago Iglesias Valdez
3. Matías Díaz
4. Guido Petti Pagadizabal
5. Matías Alemanno
6. Tomás Lezana
7. Javier Ortega Desio
8. Lisandro Ahualli de Chazal
9. Martín Landajo (C)
10. Santiago Iglesias Valdez
11. Manuel Montero
12. Gabriel Ascárate
13. Matías Moroni
14. Matías Orlando
15. Ramiro Moyano
Argentina | Reserves
16. Matías Cortese
17. Bruno Postiglioni
18. Roberto Tejerizo
19. Facundo Isa
20. Pablo Matera
21. Tomás Cubelli
22. Bautista Ezcurra
23. Jerónimo De la Fuente
USA Rugby Selects | Coaching Staff
Mike Tolkin – Head Coach
Justin Fitzpatrick – Assistant Coach (Forwards)
Nate Osborne – Assistant Coach (Backs/Attack)
Phil Bailey – Assistant Coach (Defense)
David Williams – Strength and Conditioning Coach
Chris O’Brien – Assistant Coach (Video Analysis)
Richard Quincy – Physiotherapist
Zach Vyhnanek – Physiotherapist
Sarah Sall – Massage Therapist
Sam Akhavan – Doctor
Tristan Lewis – Team Manager
USA Rugby Selects | South American Tour
v Uruguay – W 13-3
v Argentina Jaguars – L 54-6
v Argentina Jaguars – Saturday, May 2 – Salta
