Preview: United States v Australia
This will be the Wallabies' first international on American soil in nearly 40 years.
The match against the US Eagles will be their final match before they open their World Cup campaign against Fiji on September 23.
Australia coach Michael Cheika is using the game to run the rule over his squad's depth, with several first-choice players rested from the starting line-up against the Eagles.
The Wallabies will be captained by prop James Slipper, deputising for regular captain Stephen Moore – who is being rested alongside other senior players such as Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
Veteran center Matt Giteau, a survivor of Australia's 2003 and 2007 World Cup campaigns, will start and will hope to force his way into the starting team against the Fijians.
The 32-year-old Toulon star has been welcomed back into the fold after Australia tweaked their selection rules regarding overseas players.
Cheika has also handed a starting berth to fullback Kurtley Beale for the first time this season, offering the 26-year-old a chance to force his way into the reckoning for the World Cup.
Beale is one of seven Wallabies who lined up for Australia in their last meeting against the United States at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, when they eventually ran out 67-5 winners.
Slipper however, is wary of the physical threat posed by the Americans, who were beaten 74-6 by New Zealand in a friendly at Soldier Field last year.
"They are going to be pretty pumped for this game," Slipper told Australian media from the Wallabies training camp at Notre Dame University this week.
"I am expecting a very, very physical and quick open to the game."
Two-time World Cup winners Australia face a challenging first round draw in England, where their opponents include hosts England and Wales in what has been dubbed the "Group of Death."
The US meanwhile have been building steadily towards the World Cup, where they face South Africa, Samoa, Japan and Scotland in Pool B.
The Americans, who have never qualified from the pool stage of a World Cup, suffered a 19-24 defeat to English club side Harlequins in a friendly last weekend, but US coach Mike Tolkin insists his team won't be intimidated by this Saturday's assignment.
"To play at this level and get ready to walk into a World Cup you can't be intimidated," Tolkin told reporters this week after naming the Eagles 31-man World Cup squad.
"Our guys won't be, with all due respect to the Wallabies."
Tolkin also believes his team is better prepared than at the same stage last year heading into the match against the All Blacks.
"We've had a full mid-year build-up under our belt and it's the launch for our World Cup campaign. We feel we're going to be in a better position," added Tolkin.
The Americans will be captained by Saracens veteran Chris Wyles, who was named this week as skipper for the World Cup in what will be his third tournament.
The Eagles are also likely to hand a start to No.8 Samu Manoa, the big-hitting California-born forward of Tongan descent, who is expected to be one of the linchpins of the American pack.
Manoa, who was unavailable for the 2011 World Cup because of club commitments, has starred for English side Northampton for the past four seasons but has now been signed by Toulon.
Players to watch:
For United States: Inspirational captain and utility back Chris Wyles is always a threat on attack. Australia will be looking to mark him tightly because most of the attacking threat comes through him . Samu Manoa's ability to carry the ball up in attack, combined with his ability to win line-out ball will be a huge boost for the US if they wish to compete at the set-phases.
For Australia: Henry Speight is still a great finisher even though he has lost some of his explosive pace. However, The wallabies have two game-breakers in the form of Kurtley Beale and Matt Giteau who will be eyeing a World cup starting berth.
Head to head: AJ MacGinty will have to have a strong tactical kicking game if he wants to keep the US moving forward. Bernard Foley will be a relieved man for making the World Cup squad and will be hoping to justify the selectors faith in him. Against a weaker team this may just be the chance for him to get back that form that made him such a big threat during the Super Rugby season.
Recent results:
2011: Australia won 67-5, Wellington
1993: Australia won 26-22, California
Prediction: United States have been in good form recently, recording back-to-back victories over Canada. However, Australia is a world class team even though many of their regular starters will be rested. Australia will win quite easily because so many of their players are still hoping to force their way into the World Cup starting line-up. Australia should win by 35 points at least.
Teams:
United States: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Thretton Palamo, 11 Chris Wyles (captain), 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Samu Manoa, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 6 Al McFarland, 5 Greg Peterson, 4 Cameron Dolan, 3 Titi Lamositele, 2 Zach Fenoglio, 1 Eric Fry.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Louis Stanfill, 20 John Quill, 21 Danny Barrett, 22 Shalom Suniula, 23 Folau Niua.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Henry Speight, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Ben McCalman, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Toby Smith, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Sam Carter, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 Will Genia, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Date: Saturday, September 5
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago
Kick-off: 18.30 (23.30 GMT; 09.40, Sunday, September 6 AEST)
Expected weather: Partly Cloudy with a stray shower or thunderstorm expected. High 32ºC with a slight breeze.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Joaquín Montes (Argentina), Dave Smortchevsky (Canada)
TMO: Andrew McMaster (Canada)
AFP and @rugby365com
