Wyles to become ninth half-centurion in Eagles history at Soldier Field

CHICAGO - Chris Wyles will captain the Men's Eagles in his 50th international test Saturday, Sept. 5, a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff against Australia at Soldier Field.

The U.S.'s final pre-Rugby World Cup 2015 match, presented by Astellas, will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network. A high-definition live stream will also be available online at NBCSports.com/LiveExtra, or through the Live Extra application on mobile and tablet devices, as well as Apple TV- and Roku-connected television devices.

Under contract at Saracens of the Aviva Premiership, Wyles began his USA career eight years ago at wing, and has played in two Rugby World Cups. No stranger to any of the back-line positions with his club side, the U.S. captain will wear the No. 11 jersey opposite fellow two-time World Cup participant Taku Ngwenya.

Blaine Scully, vice captain and holder of 25 caps heading into the weekend's match, will start his second consecutive match at full back following the Eagles' defeat to Harlequin F.C. at PPL Park in Philadelphia last weekend.

"Blaine was solid [Sunday] and his performance allowed us to play Chris at a position that he has played most of the season with 'Sarries,' and at which he feels very comfortable,' Eagles Head Coach Mike Tolkin said.

Zach Fenoglio was one of 11 substitutes used against Harlequins, and returns to the front row between Eric Fry and Titi Lamositele. Greg Peterson, who scored his first try in a U.S. shirt in a 41-23 defeat of Canada - the Eagles' third consecutive victory over the border rival - last month, will again partner Cam Dolan in the second row.

Samu Manoa will start his second consecutive Eagles match at the back of the scrum after missing this summer's World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup tournament due to preseason comittments with his new club, Toulon of France's Top 14. Andrew Durutalo and Al McFarland, who was inches away from scoring a go-ahead try at PPL Park, round out the back row.

Ranked second in the world, Australia visits the United States for just the third time in more than 100 years. With more than 700 caps amongst the 23-player Wallabies side - including one player without an international appearance - the Eagles' opponent has won three of its past four tests against top-10-ranked nations.

Additionally, Saturday's run-out will be the Eagles' final match before their Sept. 20 Rugby World Cup 2015 opener against Samoa. Japan, Scotland, and South Africa also hope to reach the quarterfinals in England from Pool B.

"This will indicate where we are,' Tolkin said of the U.S.'s second match in less than a year at the 61,500-seat Soldier Field. "Win, lose, or draw, we want to see a quality performance over 80 minutes, where the opposition feels pressured on both sides of the ball all game. Whatever the outcome, if we can do that, we will have had a successful final tune-up match.

"No matter the lineup that Australia put out, it will be very talented; but if we want to consider ourselves a team who is on the rise in world rugby, then we need to stand up to them.'

Kickoff from Soldier Field is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT. Live match updates can be followed on Twitter with @USARugby, while tickets may still be purchased on Ticketmaster.

Men's Eagles | v. Australia

1. Eric Fry

8. Samu Manoa

9. Mike Petri

10. AJ MacGinty

11. Chris Wyles (C)