Canada hold on for tense win over USA Eagles in nail-biting PNC clash

Canada have beaten the USA Eagles 19-16 in an all-time classic, wrapping up third place at the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026. It was a nail-biter that came right down to the wire, but the Canadians did enough to claim their second consecutive win over their arch-rivals.

The Canadians set the tone early with some physical carries and high-tempo play, and looked to build on the foundations they had set. Canada were almost immediately rewarded for their strong start, with the USA conceding a penalty inside two minutes.

Takoda McMullin lined up a long-range penalty kick, placing the ball down on the tee about one metre shy of halfway. But the fullback’s attempt dropped short, sailing under the crossbar as the scores remained nil-all early on.

Canada continued to control the tempo though, as they played with a majority of possession and seemed to be ahead in the territory battle too. The USA had been parked deep inside their own half, but winning a scrum penalty inside their own 22 seemed to give their confidence a boost.

Rain fell with increasing intensity, as the rivals sides out on the field looked to both manage the trying conditions and make their mark. Ben LeSage ended up scoring the first points of the Test, with the most experienced back in Canada’s side breaking the game open with some brilliance.

The red headgear-wearing inside centre broke through the line with a determined carry and some fast feet, beating Julian Roberts and at least one other Eagle en route to the try line. McMullin added the extras, with the side ranked 24^th in the world taking a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.

It was more of the same during the first quarter at least, with Canada taking charge of the match momentum in attack. Fly-half Cooper Coats combined with captain Lucas Rumball in a run downfield, before Canada scored their second try in the very next phase.

Hooker Foster Dewitt found Mason Flesch in some space out wide, but the blindside flanker still had plenty of work to do. The try line was only 5-10 metres away, but the two covering defenders forced Flesch to dive for the line –staying millimetres away from the sideline.

Canada led 12-0 after 17 minutes. The USA steadily began to claw their way back into the contest from then, and turned to a former NFL draftee for some go-forward. Cassh Maluia, who was taken in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, ran at the line hard.

Maluia’s first carry was on to remember, with the inside centre breaking a tackle attempt during a carry into the red zone. The Eagles didn’t leave empty-handed either, with Fakaosifolau Pifeleti crashing over for an important score.

McMullin had another point-scoring opportunity around the 30-minute mark, setting up for a shot at the sticks from beyond the 40. But the fullback again missed the mark, meaning it’d remain a one-score game for at least a bit longer.

Luke Carty converted two shots at the sticks in the dying stages of the half, making it a two-point ballgame with another half to play. Carty was again accurate off the tee early in the second half, as the Eagles took the lead for the first time.

McMullin changed the game with a 50/22 soon after, seeing Canada set up for a lineout inside the USA’s 22. The rain had stopped but then suddenly began to pour again, as the Canadians built up phase after phase, with the try line within reach,

Scrum-half Jesse Kilgour fought to the line for the go-ahead points around the 60-minute mark, and McMullin converted the try. As the rain began to pour, probably the heaviest it had been all match, the Canadians took a six-point lead into the final quarter.

Canada had some clearance kicks charged down and gave away a couple of penalties, as the USA continued their search for points. But with less than 11 to go and Canada defending on practically their own line, Ethan Fryer won a penalty at the breakdown.

Canada kicked their way out of danger, for then at least.

The Canadians gave another penalty about one minute later, seeing Carty step up for a shot at the poles. The No. 10 sent the ball between the uprights, reducing the team’s deficit to just three points with less than nine to play.

It was a final stanza largely controlled by the USA, at least in terms of possession, with Canada conceding some penalties and making some errors. The USA packed down for a scrum in the final play of the match and looked to spread the ball wide, but Canada held on.