Eagles-heavy USA XV hold on for nail-biting win over Argentina XV

The USA XV have hung on for a thrilling 25-24 win over an Argentina XV at Inter Miami FC Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, with the Eagles-heavy lineup overcoming a tough challenge 14 months out from Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

USA players assembled at the IMG Academy two weeks ago, looking to gain invaluable experience against a high-level opponent. Following a 3-0 start to the World Rugby Nations Cup, the Americans can take plenty of confidence out of another gritty result.

Coach Scott Lawrence selected Luke Carty on the bench for all three World Rugby Nations Cup matches, but the fly-half was brought into the run-on side this friendly. Carty made an early point-scoring impression, slotting a fourth-minute penalty goal to give the USA a 3-0 lead.

But Argentina hit back almost immediately, with front-rower Martin Vaca peeling off a maul and beating a Ruben de Haas tackle attempt to score just inside the right sideline. Vaca had too much space to work with, as the USA scrambled in defence close to their own try line.

No.10 Ignacio Dogliani missed the difficult shot at the sticks, with the right-footer hooking the attempt just wide. The next 10 minutes or so were a nail-biting battle, as both sides searched for crucial points during the first half.

The USA played with plenty of possession and confidence, and eventually that led to the team’s first try to hooker Shilo Klein. Klein was brought into the starting side for this friendly, after coming off the bench in all three Nations Cup fixtures.

Klein benefited from the home side’s rampaging rolling maul, as the USA appeared unstoppable after setting up for an attacking lineout five metres out. The USA maul charged towards the try line, with the hooker crashing over for an important score.

Carty wasn’t able to add the extras, and the hosts weren’t able to hold onto that three-point lead for long. Argentina flyer Bautista Lescano made an impressive break downfield, before setting up scrum-half Nicolas Viola for a try.

Viola’s five-pointer put the visitors ahead by two, but once again, this match still had plenty of twists and turns to come. USA front-rowers Payton Telea-Ilalio and Charlie Abel linked up with some quick hands, delivering a pass to fullback Julian Roberts, who set up a try.

Roberts transferred the ball quickly from left to right, putting No. 8 Makeen Alikhan in open space with the try line in sight. Alikhan raced away for the go-ahead points, with Carty knocking over the conversion to make it a five-point ballgame late in the half.

But the backrower was shown a yellow card moments later for a ruck infringement, as Argentina hit back through a Franco Rossetto try. The successful shot at the poles from Dogliani saw the away side take a 17-15 lead into the break.

Argentina monstered a scrum battle early in the second half, and seemed to control both the possession and territory battles early on, yet the score didn’t change. A couple of knock-ons and some ill-discipline proved costly, with Francisco Sluga shown a yellow card 48 minutes in.

With a one-man advantage, the USA ended up wrestling their way back into the lead, with Carty knocking over another penalty goal. The home side seemed to grow in confidence as the second half went on, with Carty’s clever kicking game inspiring that.

Carty sent a clever kick behind Argentina’s defensive line around the 60-minute mark, which pinned the away side inside their own half. Franco Rossetto was beaten by a tough bounce, seeing the USA set up for an attacking scrum five metres out.

The USA continued to put pressure on in both attack and defence, and eventually, that led to a decisive score with less than 20 left. Captain Jason Damm sent Marno Redelinghuys through a gap with a short ball, with the flanker racing away for five points.

Carty added the extras from practically in front, giving the USA an eight point lead with about 17 minutes left to run on the clock. Redelinghuys received the restart, before Argentina quickly got their hands back on the ball.

Argentina set up for an attacking lineout inside the red zone, with 11 minutes remaining. The USA did well to hold off the maul, before the visitors began to build up phases, keeping the ball in the forwards – moving no more than a half-a-metre closer to the line with each hit up.

But eventually, after about two minutes of patient play, Argentina hit back through N. 8 Thiago Sbroco. The successful conversion set up a grandstand finish, making it a one-point game with eight minutes left.

Replacement scrum-half Alejo Sugasti produced a remarkable 50/22 in the 76^th minute, dribbling across the sideline 15 metres out from the try line. Argentina had more than 80 per cent possession in the final 10, but they wouldn’t score more points.

Replacement Brandon Harvey rose highest to steal the lineout, before Ethan McVeigh cleared the immediate danger with a box kick. Argentina were awarded a penalty soon after, but elected to go for a lineout rather than take a difficult shot at the sticks.

Again, Argentina were awarded another penalty soon after. In the last play of the match, Argentina opted for a scrum,  and looked to fight their way to the line. But Tavite Lopeti stripped the ball, with Roberts hoofing the ball into touch to secure the win.