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Subscribe to RSS FeedThorburn axes three
Hercus: Leading the Eagles
United States coach Peter Thorburn has made three changes to his starting XV for Wednesday's World Cup Pool A match against Samoa in St. Etienne.
Centre Albert Tuipulotu, lock Mike Mangan and number eight Henry Bloomfield have been dropped from the team that lost 25-15 to Tonga on their last outing.
Thorburn has replaced them with Philip Eloff, Hayden Mexted and Fifita Mounga respectively.
The half-back combination of captain Mike Hercus and Chad Erskine remains intact as the Eagles look to claim their first win of the tournament, after enjoying a two-week break between their second and third fixture.
USA: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Salesi Sika, 13 Phillip Eloff, 12 Vahafolau Esikia, 11 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 10 Mike Hercus (c), 9 Chad Erskine, 8 Tasi Mounga, 7 Todd Clever, 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Hayden Mexted, 4 Alec Parker, 3 Chris Osentowski, 2 Owen Lentz, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Blake Burdette, 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 18 Mark Aylor, 19 Henry Bloomfield, 20 Mike Petri, 21 Valenese Malifa, 22 Albert Tuipulotu.
Date: Wednesday, 26 September
Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Touch judges: Hugh Watkins, Mark Lawrence
Television match official: Dave Pearson
Assessor: Bob Francis
