Former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee reflects on USA return

Former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Joe Taufete’e returned to the international arena last weekend, coming off the bench for the USA Eagles against Japan in Osaka. It was the front-rower’s first appearance in the Eagles’ red, white and blue jersey in more than 1,130 days.

Taufete’e was shortlisted for the most prestigious individual honour in men’s 15s rugby after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The hooker made four appearances for the Eagles at the tournament, and was rewarded with a slice of unprecedented rugby history.

New Zealand, South Africa, England, France and Ireland have dominated the list of award winners dating back to Keith Wood in 2001. But no Eagle from the USA, or any tier-two rugby nation for that matter, had ever been in the mix for Men’s 15s POTY.

Pieter-Steph du Toit ended up claiming the award after helping the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup. Tom Curry, Ardie Savea, Cheslin Kolbe, Alun Wyn Jones and Taufete’e were the other players up for the accolade.

Taufete’e would go on to play more Test matches for the Eagles, including an appearance off the bench against Romania in 2023. But that was, for quite some time at least, the 33-year-old’s most recent Test appearance, before coming off the bench in a 63-14 defeat to Japan.

“It’s tough going up against Japan, first Test match back. Just the way they play,” Taufete’e told RugbyPass in Osaka.

“Speed of ball is just so intense.

“It’s been a long time,” he added.

“Being in this environment, there’s new faces to the team, there’s new guys, new combinations so it does feel like a whole new squad.”

Taufete’e came on as a second-half replacement for Shilo Klein, who was one of the USA’s two try-scorers in the defeat. Klein crashed over for much-needed points, which brought an end to Japan’s run of 28 unanswered points.

The Brave Blossoms had actually raced out to a 28-0 lead after just 16 minutes, before the away side began to fight their way back. Tavite Lopeti also got on the scoresheet for the Eagles, but the second half was one-way traffic.

USA coach Scott Lawrence spoke post-game about the “character” and “grit” the Eagles had shown during the opening 40 especially, but the result also highlighted some clear work-ons as they prepare for a crucial clash this weekend.

The USA won 64 per cent of their lineouts in tough conditions, and missed 23 tackles against a fast-paced Japan side. They now turn their focus to the third-place playoff, taking on Canada in the second weekend of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026.

“Just from today, we’ve got to work on our details,” Taufete’e reflected.

“We talk about our lineout attack [but] Japan did really well in their defence. They read us really well and I think that in that area we can get creative.”