World Cup Preview: Scotland v USA
Scotland take on USA looking for the win that will put them in pole position for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Their 30-all defeat with Italy, together with Tonga‘s win over Cook Islands on Tuesday night, means it’s anyone’s game in Group C, with the prize a quarter-final date with New Zealand.
A win for Scotland would end Tonga‘s hopes of progressing, but then if the Italians beat Tonga at Halifax on Sunday, it will go down to points difference between them and the Scots.
There are no such worries for USA, who are guaranteed a last eight date with Australia whatever the outcome, with their group rivals Wales and Cook Islands both without a win in two games.
The USA camp have been to re-iterate their commitment, and they’ll be targeting a third successive win at their debut World Cup.
Stand-off Joseph Paulo has been arguably the stand-out player at the tournament so far, and his half-back pairing with Craig Priestly has been a key reason for the Tomahawks success so far.
Scotland have been involved in two of the best games of the tournament, earning a narrow win over Tonga before a gripping draw on Sunday.
They welcome back hooker Andrew Henderson, who has sat out both games so far, in place of brother Ian at hooker.
North Queensland centre Kane Linnett is also missing for the Scots.
The USA‘s only change comes in the shape of centre Lelauloto Tagaloa, who drops out in place of David Marando.
Scotland squad: Danny Addy (Bradford), Sam Barlow (Halifax), Danny Brough (Huddersfield), Brett Carter (Workington), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield), Ben Fisher (London), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone), Andrew Henderson (Sheffield) Alex Hurst (London), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes), Brett Phillips (Workington), Matthew Russell (Gold Coast), David Scott (Featherstone), Mitchell Stringer (Sheffield), Alex Szostak (Sheffield), Adam Walker (Hull KR), Peter Wallace (Brisbane), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield)
USA squad: Bureta Faraimo (Mackay), Kristian Freed (Connecticut), Michael Garvey (Ipswich), Roman Hifo (Mangere), Daniel Howard (Wentworthville), Stephen Howard (Tuggeranong), Judah Lavulo (Cabramatta), Haveatama Luani (Wests), David Marando (Belrose), Clint Newton (Penrith), Mark Offerdahl (Connecticut) Joseph Paulo (Parramatta), Matthew Petersen (Cudgen) Edward Pettybourne (Wests), Craig Priestly (Southampton), Tuisegasega Samoa (Redcliffe), Matthew Shipway (Newcastle South), Les Soloai (Utah), Taylor Welch (New York)