Taufete'e returns to Eagles 23 against Japan in PNC
The USA Men’s Eagles squad has been named to kick off their 2026 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) campaign against Japan this Saturday in Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium, featuring three Legion players including Joe Taufete'e,
Head Coach Scott Lawrence and staff have locked in the 23-player match day squad after an intense training week in Kobe where the squad reconvened in Japan last week. This will be the first match of the reformatted PNC tournament which will qualify the winning teams this week for next week’s play off finale against the preceding Fiji v Canada fixture winner. All USA matches will be broadcast on Paramount+
Coming off a dramatic, 25-24 USA XV victory over Argentina XV in Fort Lauderdale and an undefeated Nations Cup campaign at home this summer, the Eagles are now prepared for a step up playing overseas against 12th ranked Japan, who sit just 2 spots above the USA on the World rankings table.
Anticipating high speed, physicality, and overall accuracy from the Japanese, the USA side selected has been built in line with the plan to grow players to compete at a higher intensity in RWC 2027.
With familiar faces in the forwards pack, Chris Hilsenbeck rejoins after personal leave while Mitch Wilson comes back from injury. Returning into the Eagles backline, Noah Brown starts as wing. Also returning to the matchday 23, Sam Golla, Joe Taufete'e and Benjamin Bonasso return bringing an extra boost from the bench.
California Legion Prop Tonga Kofe and Legion Captain Jason Damm will also both start for the Eagles.
Head Coach Scott Lawrence said: “Our focus is on growing as a collective and building a playing base that can consistently deliver the actions and behaviors we’ve committed to.
"We’re grateful for World Rugby’s PNC and for our group’s buy-in to these additional development weeks in Japan. This is an opportunity to stress test our standards under pressure and continue growing as a team.”
The USA Eagle will kick off their 2026 Pacific Nations Cup campaign at 6:05 AM ET in the pool knock out, competing for a place in next week's final showdown against the winner of Fiji v Canada. All four PNC teams will travel to Tokyo next week, where both the final and third-place play-off matches will take place at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on September 19th.
USA fans can catch the Eagles in action live on Paramount+.
Team USA Starting XV Pacific Nations Cup 2026 v Japan
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Payton Telea-Ilalio |
| 2 | Shilo Klein |
| 3 | Tonga Kofe* |
| 4 | Jason Damm* |
| 5 | Nathan Den Hoedt |
| 6 | Marno Redelinghuys |
| 7 | Paddy Ryan |
| 8 | Makeen Alikhan |
| 9 | Ruben de Haas |
| 10 | Chris Hilsenbeck |
| 11 | Noah Brown |
| 12 | Dominic Besag |
| 13 | Tavite Lopeti |
| 14 | Mark O'Keeffe |
| 15 | Mitch Wilson |
| 16 | Joe Taufete'e* |
| 17 | Fakaosifolau Pifeleti |
| 18 | Alex Maughan |
| 19 | Sam Golla |
| 20 | Benjamin Bonasso |
| 21 | Michael Baska |
| 22 | Luke Carty |
| 23 | Julian Roberts |
*2027 Legion Players
Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 schedule Match Detail - Semi-final, Japan v USA
Saturday, 12 September, Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka | 3:05 AM PT
LIVE on Paramount+.
