This weekend's long-anticipated meeting between the USA and Scotland is one more chance for the Eagles to defeat a Tier 1 nation. Whether or not it happens Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston could come down to these five players.
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Saturday, June 16 | 8 PM CT
Joseph Taufete'e, USA, Hooker
We all know that the set piece is hugely important, especially if the Eagles have the bad luck to run afoul of the referee when playing scrum penalty roulette. Taufete'e is in the middle of all of this. The Worcester and former Belmont Shore hooker will be responsible for helping set the platform in the front row, will need to ensure clean strikes—especially if the scrum is under pressure—and will have to be accurate on his lineout throws.
Everything else? Just sit back and enjoy. Taufete'e is superb in the open field and in loose play around the breakdown. He's an attacking terror, and head coach Gary Gold is smart enough to roll the dice with him. If the set piece works out, watch out.
Stuart Hogg, Scotland, Fullback
A special 61st cap for Stuart Hogg this weekend against USA as he leads out @scotlandteam as captain for the very first time. Go well Hoggy! #AsOne pic.twitter.com/6DcbKlmqDW
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) June 13, 2018
A brilliant and multi-skilled fullback who will captain Scotland, Hogg has had his difficulties with head coach Gregor Townsend, but the two seem to be in a good place. Hogg is a former Six Nations Player of the Year, and if the Eagles start well and knock a young Scotland around, his job will be not only to raise the level of play but also keep his team centered and in control.
Samu Manoa, USA, Lock
Against Russia, Manoa showed flashes of what he's capable of in an Eagles uniform. He crushes ball carriers and has a sweet little sidestep that allows him—as the coaches tell players—to run against branches, not tree trunks. He can serve as a battering ram, an extra center, or a decoy. Most of all, he can put the fear of footsteps into some of the newer Scotland players, thus giving Hogg more of a job to do as captain.
George Horne, Scotland, Center
Horne has no caps and will start at scrumhalf for Scotland. He will have a few experienced forwards around him, but Horne's No. 8 is a debutant, too, and his flyhalf has just one cap. And Horne will also have a very big, very imposing forward pack coming at him all game long. Horne should keep his composure. He has to.
Will Hooley, USA, Fullback
At the 2015 World Cup, the Eagles were hammering Scotland—physically and on the scoresheet—and went into halftime of that pool game in the lead. Scotland's response was superb, opting to avoid contact when possible and use the boot to turn field position around.
At fullback, Hooley, along with wings Marcel Brache (more of a runner) and Blaine Scully (runs and kicks), will be charged with negating the Scotland kicking game. Against savvy teams like Scotland, this will be a full-time job.
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