Wallabies hopefuls push their cases after red card drama in USA
Australia A overcame a red card to David Feliuai to thump the United States 61-12 in an impressive performance in Nashville on Sunday (AEDT).
Feliuai had started the match strongly at inside centre before getting yellow carded for a 15th minute high shot on Tavite Lopeti.
Dylan Pietsch celebrates a try. Stan
The TMO then upgraded it to red as Stephen Larkham’s side had to play 20 minutes with just 14 men.
It mattered not, as the Wallabies hopefuls furthered their cases for a call-up to the senior team that will play four Nations Championship Tests in November.
“What was pleasing from our perspective was when we had that red card for 20 minutes, and we were a man down,” Australia A captain Matt Faessler said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“We really bit down on the mouthguard, worked for each other and ended up producing some points off the back of that, so it was very pleasing.
“We’re obviously a team that have only been together for a week or so now, but very close, a lot of us spend a fair bit of time with each other off the field, and I think that showed tonight.“
Faessler scored one of the visitors’ nine tries.
Winger Dylan Pietsch nabbed a double, while Nick Frost, Joe Brial, Nathan Hastie, Kadin Pritchard, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tim Ryan also dotted down.
Queensland Reds No.8 Brial was named player of the match.
Australia A prop Tom Lambert and lock Miles Amatosero will now join the Wallabies camp in Sydney on Wednesday.
Australia A will take on the USA again in New Jersey on Saturday (AEDT).
Larkham is being assisted by former Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Tom Lambert grins at a scrum. Stan
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