The Maori finish their North American tour with a stop in the cream cheese capital, facing the Eagles at the scenic PPL Park in what should provide some solid entertainment.
UNITED STATES vs NZ MAORI
Saturday, November 9, 22:00 EST, Philadelphia
After outclassing Canada on Sunday head coach Colin Cooper has made a few changes to his side. Injury to Hika Elliot means Ash Dixon starts at hooker, with Shane Christie and Blade Thomson replacing Liam Squire and Elliot Dixon in the back row. Talented youngster Ihaia West bumps Tim Bateman to centre, and wingers Matt Proctor and Kurt Baker get a chance to start. Joe Royal, Luke Katene, and mid-week call-up Chris Smylie enter the reserves.
The Eagles start their November session with a mixed group comprised of some ARC standouts and some test regulars. Nick Wallace, Tai Tuisamoa, Cameron Dolan, and Tim Maupin all get the call after impressing in Langford. Todd Clever is back as captain, and is one of only three full-time professionals in the squad, the others being Paris-based Scott LaValla and recent London Wasps signing Andrew Suniula.
Late call-up Olive Kilifi and Kyle Sumsion are the newest players to national colours on the bench, though neither have been named as full tourists as of yet. The NYAC halfback partnership of Mike Petri and Toby L’Estrange is once again asked to control the game, something many Eagles fans have become weary of after some indifferent form this season. Dynamite winger Luke Hume returns to the side after failing to win a pro contract in a short trial with Gloucester.
If anything the changes to the Maori side should make their attack quicker, and they can’t possibly make as many handling errors as they did in Toronto. The Americans will have to minimise their mistakes and be rock solid on their own set piece ball to have any chance of keeping the score from getting out of hand. Expect a similar result to the Canadian match, with the Maori running away with it in the dying minutes. Pick the visitors by 25.
Referee: Chris Assmus (Rugby Canada)
Assistants: David Smortchevsky (RC) & Andrew McMaster (RC)
TMO: Bryan Arciero (RC)
