Who are the Australia XV players set to face the USA Saturday in Nashville?
This team is made up of a combination of young players with strong Super Rugby, players who only a handful of Australia caps but serious international 7s experience, uncapped players with long Super Rugby careers, and players with significant Wallabies experience.
See USA vs Australia XV October 24 in Nashville. Tickets here>>
Captaining the squad is hooker Mike Faessler, who has played 60 times for the Queensland Reds and five times for Australia. In addition, Western Force prop Tom Robertson has 39 caps with Australia, playing for both teams against the British & Irish Lions last year.
Just behind Robertson in caps is 6-8 ACT Brumbies lock Nick Frost, who has played 37 times for the Australian test side. Queensland Reds prop Zane Nonggorr has 20 caps.
Super Rugby Pros
Even players with no caps have significant experience. Rory Scott has played over 70 times for the Brumbies. Kalani Thomas has three caps and 78 matches with the Reds. Corey Toole has six caps and played 58 times for the Brumbies.
The Young Guns
Along with those experienced players comes the young talent looking to get a Wallabies place. Mile Amatosero is 24 years old, has only recently been capped, and is an imposing 6-8 second row who has played professionally in France with Celrmont Auvergne and with the Waratahs of New South Wales. In his most recent cap, his second, he got a red card.
See the USA vs Australia XV October 30 in Harrison, NJ. Tickets here>>
But he's not that young. At 24 he's entering his prime as an athlete and, in fact, the young talent has still be playing rugby at a high level for years. The youngest players are Brumbies prop Lington leli, who is 22 and really. has only one pro season under his belt, and 6-6 lock/flanker Toby Macpherson, who is also 22 and just a couple of years out of captaining the Australia U20s.
Captains for Saturday's matches in Nashville: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Jason Damm, and Matt Faessler.
So, It's a Challenge
For the USA, this is a huge challenge. It's a true Australia A side, with 12 of the 27 players have already been capped by Australia, three of whom (Dylan Pietsch, Kalani Thomas, and Corey Toole) have played between 50 and 90 times for Australia's 7s team.
Of the uncapped players, the vast majority are experienced Super Rugby players aged 24-28.
So the USA is most definitely up against a tough team, coached by former Wallaby great Stephen Larkham.
Australia XV Roster
Forwards Miles Amatosero (NSW Waratahs – South Coogee Red Devils) Joe Brial (Queensland Reds - Easts (Sydney)) Ethan Dobbins (NSW Waratahs – Wests Bulldogs) Eamon Doyle (NSW Waratahs - Woonona Shamrocks) Matt Faessler (c) (Queensland Reds – USQ Saints) Nick Frost (ACT Brumbies – Hornsby Lions) Will Harris (Western Force – Norths Pirates) Lington Ieli (ACT Brumbies – Brisbane Boys’ College) Tom Lambert (Queensland Reds – West Harbour Juniors) Lachlan Lonergan (ACT Brumbies – Tuggeranong Vikings) Toby Macpherson (ACT Brumbies – Goondiwindi Junior Emus) Zane Nonggorr (Queensland Reds – Gold Coast Eagles) Luke Reimer (NSW Waratahs - Lindfield Junior Rugby Club) Tom Robertson (Western Force – Dubbo Roos) Rory Scott (ACT Brumbies - Canberra Royals) Rhys van Nek (ACT Brumbies - Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Backs
Lachie Anderson (Queensland Reds - Dural Rugby Club) Tane Edmed (ACT Brumbies – West Harbour Juniors) David Feliuai (ACT Brumbies – Sunnybank Dragons) Mac Grealy (Western Force – Souths Kookaburras Toowoomba) Nathan Hastie (Western Force – Wanneroo Rugby Club) Tom Lynagh (Queensland Reds – University of Queensland) Dylan Pietsch (Western Force – Leeton Phantoms) Kadin Pritchard (ACT Brumbies – Springfield Hawks) Tim Ryan (Queensland Reds – Brothers Rugby) Kalani Thomas (Queensland Reds – Springfield Hawks) Corey Toole (ACT Brumbies – Wagga Crows)
As a 17-year-old Spencer Huntley required a waiver to play for the USA U20s, an indication of how he was rated in the USA age-grade pathway. He got that waiver and impressed for the USA U20s, and then moved up to the USA U23s. He led the San Diego Mustangs to a national HS Club championship in 2024.
He also played in the SoCal single-school league for Cathedral Catholic.
Hope Rogers began playing rugby at age 16 in high school and continued to compete during her time at Penn State University. There, she won four National Championships, was crowned MVP on two occasions, was named to the USA Under-20s and earned Collegiate All-American honors for four years. Rogers was also an impressive discus player during her senior year in high school where she broke a school record and won Gold at Districts for the sport.
Nathan Caruso is a steady, smart fly half who drives Villanova’s attack with calm decision-making and a reliable skill set. He’s been central to Villanova’s success in the MARC, controlling tempo and keeping the team organized under pressure.
Tonga Kofe is one of the most promising young front-rowers to come out of the American rugby pathway. A powerful and hard-working prop, he rose through the Utah Warriors development system.
Ray Santiago has emerged as one of RPI’s most influential forwards, a player whose size, athleticism, and rapid development make him stand out in the Division II landscape.
Christy Ringgenberg is one of the most accomplished and versatile players to wear the USA jersey, earning recognition on the Goff Rugby Report All-Time American list for her impact on both 15s and 7s.
