OSAKA, JPN. – Following a short four-day turnaround, the USA Men’s National Team XVs will conclude their Rugby World Cup 2019 campaign against Tonga in the final match of Pool C. The contest takes place at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, KO 1:45 AM ET on NBCSN and NBC Sports Gold.

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MATCH-DAY 23

Six changes have been made to the match day roster following the Eagles’ contest with Argentina.

Lock Nick Civetta will be back in to start alongside Greg Peterson while flanker Malon Al-Jiboori will get his first taste of tournament action alongside Tony Lamborn. Will Hooley will start at fullback with Mike Te’o shifting to the reserves.

Alongside Te’o on the bench are Hanco Germishuys and James Hilterbrand. If brought in, Hilterbrand will also be playing his first minutes of the tournament.

The full match day 23 owns 582 cumulative test caps.

STARTERS

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS 1. Eric Fry Prop Vannes 47 2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors 26 3. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens 31 4. Greg Peterson Lock Newcastle Falcons 29 5. Nick Civetta Lock Unattached 25 6. Tony Lamborn Flanker Melbourne Rebels

Hawke’s Bay Magpies 22 7. Malon Al-Jiboori Flanker Unattached 5 8. Cam Dolan No. 8 NOLA Gold 50 9. Ruben de Haas Scrum half Free State Cheetahs 16 10. AJ MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks 27 11. Marcel Brache Wing Western Force 22 12. Paul Lasike Center Harlequins 18 13. Bryce Campbell Center London Irish 31 14. Blaine Scully (C) Wing Unattached 53 15. Will Hooley Fullback Bedford Blues 14

RESERVES

PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS 16. James Hilterbrand Reserve Manly Marlins 19 17. Olive Kilifi Reserve Seattle Seawolves 30 18. Paul Mullen Reserve Unattached 17 19. Ben Landry Reserve Ealing Trailfinders 24 20. Hanco Germishuys Reserve Glendale Raptors 20 21. Ben Pinkelman Reserve USA Sevens 4 22. Nate Augspurger Reserve San Diego Legion 25 23. Mike Te’o Reserve San Diego Legion 27

MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM XVs STAFF

General Manager | Dave Hodges

Head Coach | Gary Gold

Assistant Coach, Attack | Greg McWilliams

Assistant Coach, Set Piece | Shawn Pittman

Assistant Coach, Defense | Jaque Fourie

Strength & Conditioning Coach | Huw Bevan

Performance Analyst | Jimmy Harrison

Assistant S&C and Analyst | Tom Kindley

Team Doctor | Mark Sakr

Team Doctor | Sam Akhavan

Head Athletic Trainer | Kevin Ng

Athletic Trainer | Kristen Douhan

Massage Therapist | Daliah Hurwitz

Team Manager | Chris Hanson

Assistant Team Manager | Oscar Alvarez

LAST MATCH | ARG 47-17 USA

For the first 20 minutes, the United States men were clinical; putting the Pumas under tremendous pressure and making it within touching distance of scoring the first points. With the U.S. unable to execute, the Pumas stole momentum back with a collection of quick line breaks that built a 19-0 lead.

At halftime, a clever grubber kick by AJ MacGinty saw Captain Blaine Scully bolting down the wing to collect five points. And though the Eagles carried momentum with them into the break, the Pumas came back with a vengeance in the second half.

By the 61st minute, the Argentinians were up 40-5 where the USA’s Paul Lasike dove over the tryline to tamper with the deficit. The U.S. defense held on until the final minute where Captain Blaine Scully added another five points for his side to make it 47-17 at full time.

While the Americans didn’t get the result they hoped for; and with mistakes aside, the group played with relentless effort until the very end.

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS | VIEW STATS

THE MATCHUP | USA VS TONGA

The United States and Tonga last met three years ago in San Sebastian, where the Tongans defeated the Americans 17-20. In nine total meetings dating back to 1999, the Eagles sit on the lesser side of a 1-8 record.

Tonga comes into the match following a seven day break from their impressive performance against France. The Tongans came back from a 17 point deficit to threaten the French and nearly force an upset at 23-21.

Following their match with Argentina, the U.S. will have had four days to recover and prepare for the match with the Tongans. As both teams have yet to register a win, fans can expect a competitive and well-fought match on both sides this Sunday.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH GARY GOLD

“While we know we still have some work to do, I’m proud of the guys for sticking in there until the very end against Argentina. A short turnaround is never easy but as a group we are anxious to close out our Rugby World Cup campaign with a positive result.

“Tonga are another good team, as are all the sides we’ve played in this tournament and we absolutely must execute in every opportunity we get during this game.

“It will be a hugely physical challenge; but, as we’ve said before, these are the kinds of games we need to be playing in order to continuously improve. We’re looking forward to another opportunity to prove ourselves against these top teams.”

RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL C UPDATE

England and France have both advanced into the Quarterfinals with the Red Roses claiming the first seed and Les Bleus claiming the second. Argentina took the third place with their win over the USA on Wednesday which also gave them automatic qualification for France 2023. The United States and Tonga will each battle to end the tournament with a win.

TEAM PL W D L TF PF PA PD BP POINTS ENGLAND 4 3 1 0 17 119 20 99 3 17 FRANCE 4 3 1 0 9 79 51 28 1 15 ARGENTINA 4 2 0 2 14 106 91 15 3 11 TONGA 3 0 0 3 5 36 86 -50 1 1 USA 3 0 0 3 4 33 125 -92 0 0

WHERE TO WATCH

All USA matches in pool play are broadcast LIVE on NBCSN linear television network along with a collection of other games including the Rugby World Cup final. In addition to coverage on NBCSN, fans can also stream every game LIVE and on-demand with NBC Sports Gold’s rugby pass. To purchase rugby pass, click here. To find NBCSN in local listings, click here.

USA SCHEDULE & RESULTS

vs England | 45-7 (L)

vs France | 33-9 (L)

vs Argentina | 47-17 (L)

vs Tonga

October 13 | 1:45 AM ET

Hanazono Rugby Stadium

WATCH | NBCSN + NBC Sports Gold

VIEW FULL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE HERE