USA appears to be on a hiding to nothing

AUCKLAND: Returning veterans joining rookies; others with points to prove as they contest starting spots; the All Blacks emerging from losing to the Springboks; attempting to harness the emotion surrounding Sean Wainui's death; and a weakened opposition. It could translate to the perfect storm for USA Rugby this weekend.

The All Blacks venture to the United States capital was driven to boost New Zealand Rugby's coffers by up to $4 million. With a crowd in excess of 50,000 expected at FedEx Field, home of the Washington NFL team, that box should be ticked.

From a playing perspective, with the All Blacks naming a squad featuring Sam Cane, Dane Coles, Beauden Barrett and Anton LienertBrown on the bench and a damaging loose forward trio, the USA could be left reeling.

All teams rise for the All Blacks but some blunt realities must be addressed when assessing USA Rugby. In March last year the union filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy citing insurmountable financial constraints. It resumed training in June, and has played six matches since the 2019 World Cup — winning two home fixtures against Canada and Uruguay.

Two weeks ago Gary Gold's USA lost 3415 to Uruguay to blow that World Cup qualification route. USA dropped to 17th in the world, and must now win a home and away series against Chile next year to gain entry for the 2023 showpiece.

The team confronting the All Blacks is missing six leading players who have returned to European clubs, with this test sitting outside the designated window.

Compare that landscape with the wellrested All Blacks, who, despite not playing for three weeks, embrace widespread individual and collective motivating factors, and a mismatch of epic proportions is in the offing.

‘‘We clearly go in as clear favourites but the quality of our game is important to us,’’ All Blacks coach Ian Foster said.

‘‘In many ways new combinations, time off, there's plenty of excuses for a bit of rust, so I guess we'll expect a little bit of a settling in period, but by the end of the game we need to make sure we're nailing our performance.’’

It has been a difficult week for many All Blacks, particularly those Chiefs and Crusaders players closely connected to Wainui, who died in a car crash near Tauranga on Monday.

‘‘The team has reacted to the news and it's impacted on everyone when you lose a mate and someone who is close to a lot of these players,’’ Foster said.

‘‘We're feeling for the family back at home particularly.’’

Nerves will be bubbling within 20yearold Taranaki and Chiefs lock Josh Lord ahead of his debut off the bench.

Likewise, Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot, Crusaders centre Braydon Ennor and Blues halfback Finlay Christie, all of whom are set for their maiden test starts. —