Eagles put it on the line in final phase fight in Tokyo

The USA fell just short of the line after a scrum at the final whistle on their 5 meter line that ended in a loose ball that the Canadians claimed and kicked out to end time.

Disappointed with the execution, the match gave Captain Jason Damm “fuel for the fire” as the squad look ahead for the next phase of their cycle. He commented;

“The conditions actually played into our hand - the kicking game we want to play, that loose ball, that sort of scrappy stuff - so, we'll never use that as an excuse. It was more just role execution. Discipline in the first half was poor, the middle third, we gave them easy entries into the 22. We defended well, but when you give a team multiple entries, they’re going to get a couple in.”

“The second half really just came down to role execution, and some clinical moments - not executing what we needed to and ultimately let Canada stay in the game.”

“If we needed fuel for the fire, this just provided plenty of it. 
Personally, it's just going to drive me to keep getting better, keep pushing myself. We have to keep pushing and getting better.”

The match opened with Canada striking first, finding space to run in two quick tries putting the Eagles on the backfoot down by 12.

Digging in, the Eagles found their stride in the 21st minute, with a strong run from debutant Cassh Muluia, recycled with a sharp outside pass from Ruben de Haas to Fakaosifolau Pifeleti who powered over the line. Luke Carty added the conversion, then slotted a penalty in the 38th-minute narrowing the scoreline 10-12 ahead of halftime.

Swinging the momentum, Carty opened the second half slotting a crisp penalty in the 42nd minute to give the USA the lead 13–12.

With the intensity rising, fresh energy from the bench came into the front row with Payton Telea-Ilalio, Mason Pedersen, and Joe Taufete'e, while Benjamin Bonasso and Tavite Lopeti added massive physicality across the field.

Canada refused to let up and after sustained pressure inside the Eagles 22, punched over for a try, converted putting the Canadians back ahead 13-19.

Putting pressure on Canada, the Eagles forced further penalties giving Carty another shot at goal and securing an additional 3 points from the boot bringing the Eagles within 3 with less than 10 minutes to go.

Ending on a dramatic note, one more penalty awarded as the final minute approached, the Eagles opted for the scrum on the five meter line looking to take the win. Makeen Alikan picked from the base, recycling with Julian Roberts slicing through the Canadian defensive line, however a loose ball, claimed by the Canadians and kicked to touch ended the USA’s advance solidifying the final score 16-19.

While the Pacific Nations Cup concludes, the USA squad will remain in Japan to continue squad cohesion and development on international camp and against high level Japanese sides.

Upon returning stateside, the USA will then reconvene in Nashville, Tennessee for a 2 match series against Australia XV starting on October 24th before they meet again in New Jersey on the 30th as part of a double header with the USA Women’s WXV Global Series. Tickets are on sale now here.