Japan Defeats USA, But Eagles Improve
Japan Defeats USA, But Eagles Improve
The USA men put together an improved performance in their second pool game in the Pacific Nations Cup, and while Japan won the game, there were some steps forward for the Eagles.
Japan was expected to be fast and to offload well and to be difficult in the kicking game. Most of that came to pass, although the USA kicking game seemed much improved Saturday in Sacramento.
Japan had to work for it before getting their first try with Ben Gunter going over. Seungsun Lee converted and that was much the story of the day as Lee's goalkicking continues to be strong.
The Eagles, however, did not look weak. They played hard and started to put some sequences together. Japan responded well and looked set to score again, however, Erich Storti made a big play to steal the ball. Later on a superb tackle from Rufus McLean prevented another try. However, the Brave Blossoms were able to burn the Eagles on the opposite wing for Amato Fakatava to go in.
Early lineout trouble produced more difficulties for the USA, but when they did get decent possession they asked questions of the Japan defense. Tevite Lopeti was especially good, but captain Jason Damm also put in a ton of work.
Japan added to their tally after a couple of scrum penalties, as off a lineout they ran a peel for big, athletic captain Warner Dearns and he just trampled over everyone. That made it 21-0 and Japan was in control.
But finally the Eagles got something out of their efforts. A good chase on the restart allowed Vili Helu (on for an injured Makeen Alikhan) and Christian Poidevin to bottle up the ballcarrier. Poidevin ripped the ball free and on the Eagles went. Center Dom Besag was almost to the line, and the support was there to recycle and set it up for hooker Kapeli Pifeleti to get to the line.
Japan responded with a superb try that had a bit of everything, with several offloads and plenty of speed for Kanji Shimokawa to score. Lee converted and it was 33-7.
Unfazed, the Eagles got back on the front foot as halftime approached. They forced Japan into committing penalties and finally, with the lineout still a bit of a question, the Eagles tapped and ran a couple of phases before Pifeleti had a gap and was over for his second.
Christopher Hilsenbeck converted for his second and that made it 33-14.
So, no, the USA was not going to pull off a famous upset, but they were going to push their opponents, and that continued to be the case in the second half.
Japan opened the scoring in the second half with Fakatava wide open on the wing. The Eagles got a 50-22 from Toby Fricker but again couldn't capitalize because of the lineout. Japan, however, were prevented from running away with it in part because the USA cover defense worked hard.
The Brave Blossoms did get another try—Dearns looped around the ruck to get it in open space on the wing and the big man galloped in. Lee converted from the sideline, of course.
But the second half was more of a tussle. The Eagles did not fold, and they worked hard to create chances.
Even with Poidevin in the sin bin for a rather harsh penalty call, they hung on.
Late in the game a turnover led to Kippei Ishida speeding past to go into the corner. lee converted again, going 6-for-7 on the day. But with time winding down the USA got close once more. This was a good series of phases and work to make the gain line and keep pushing. The reserves helped bolster the energy level, and finally it was reserve prop Peyton Telea Ilalio who crashed over. Luke Carty converted and that ended the scoring 47-21.
For the Eagles, it was something better.
"Not the result we wanted but I think it was a step ahead of the performance we had against Canada," said Damm after his first game as captain.
USA Head Coach Scott Lawrence lamented the momentum shifts.
"We just needed to nail that first 20 minutes in the second half," he said.
So it's confirmed that the USA will play Samoa for 5th next week in Denver on the same day as the semifinals. Tickets are still available here>>
This after Fiji defeated Samoa 29-15 to win their pool and make sure Samoa is 0-2.
Here's how the standings finish up:
| Pool A | W | L | T | PF | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Fiji | 2 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 25 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Tonga | 1 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 48 | -8 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Samoa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 59 | -28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pool B | W | L | T | PF | PA | PD | BT | BL | Pts |
| Japan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 15 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Canada | 1 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 77 | -28 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| USA | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 34 | -14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fiji will play Canada and Japan will play Tonga in the semifinals at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.
Meanwhile, the USA will play Samoa for 5th, and that will also be a World Cup qualifier game. The winner will secure a spot in Australia 2027. The losing team will play a two-match series with Chile, who lost today to Uruguay, ensuring Uruguay has qualified.
If the USA ends up having to play Chile, they will play the first match of their two-game series in Salt Lake City September 20 alongside the PNC final.
USA 21
Tries: Pifeleti 2, Telea Ilalio
Convs: Hilsenbeck 2, Carty
Japan 47
Tries: Gunter, Fakatava 2, Dearns 2, Shimokawa, Ishida
Convs: Lee 6
