Kapeli Pifeleti and the impact of USA French armada on the Eagles

The USA currently tops Pool A of the Nations Cup, having completed an unbeaten run in July by defeating Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain. With November looming, Scott Lawrence’s Eagles are focused on maintaining their momentum, and getting Provence hooker Kapeli Pifeleti back to his best will be key.

The hooker, who scored two tries in July and played a crucial role in his side’s wins over the Lobos and Los Leones, has been nursing an injury he expects to be gone by mid-October, just in time to gain some game time ahead of November.

“First of all, coming back from injury is my priority. Then, I want to get selected for the team and be ready to help Provence and the USA. I want to play some good rugby, and I am looking forward to making a return.”

In July, Pifeleti scored two tries to help his side secure top spot, with the hooker producing some of his best rugby of the season. Despite playing a central role in the team’s success, the hooker prefers to highlight the USA staff’s work, which has been critical to their results.

“I try to help wherever and whenever I can. We have so many great coaches in the Eagles camp nowadays who have fully devoted themselves to giving us the best environment to excel. From Professor Bob [Dave Williams] to Jim Molony, they have been great assets.”

Pifeleti believes July’s achievements were no accident, crediting the team’s relentless effort and the physical demands of training for laying the foundation for their success.

“July was hard for us, as the staff pushed us hard, tweaking the way we play and even developing our kicking game strategy. Although it was challenging, it was good for us to get pushed, and the results speak for themselves.”

Against Portugal, the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship title holders, the Eagles looked formidable, with the French-based contingent making an impact. From Jack Iscaro of Stade Français to Kapeli Pifeleti and Perry Mayo of USO Nevers, the Eagles raised their performance levels, with the Provence hooker believing that Top 14 and Pro D2 experience made a difference.

“Look at Jack Iscaro, who has been demolishing lads in the scrum since joining Stade Français. He was playing in the MLR two seasons ago and now is starring in the Top14. That form and experience ultimately benefit us, as it translates to how we perform, play and move in the game.”

As for Perry Mayo, who was born and raised in France but opted to represent the United States, Pifeleti was delighted to see the winger make his debut and demonstrate why he is regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking threats in Pro D2.

“Perry is a great player and was one of Pro D2’s top try scorers last season, and he brought that threat to the Eagles in July, scoring tries and outpacing the defence.”

In his own words, Pifeleti says he has grown as a player since joining Provence, while remaining grateful for his time with Saracens, which served as a wake-up call for his career.

“It has been the most consistent I have played in my life, and it has helped me develop. Playing so much for Provence and then going to the Eagles has been great. I had some learning to do and had to adjust my mindset a bit, especially around recovery, etc., which has been a game-changer for me.”

At the same time, the environment at Provence has encouraged him to develop aspects of his game he hadn’t fully appreciated before arriving in France in March 2025.

“I have grown as a leader as well. I used not to believe that part of me, but now I’ve realised that the way I speak and carry myself on the pitch is as influential when I am carrying or tackling.”

Although it has been a long time since he last lived in his hometown of Utah, Pifeleti admits a return is not on his mind just yet, having found a place he is happy to call home in Provence.

“I want to stay in France for as long as I can. It suits me. It’s a very direct, physical type of game, but that also pushes me to become better. I didn’t speak much French when I joined, but I cracked on and have been enjoying the French lifestyle.”

Living in France, competing in one of rugby’s most demanding competitions and working under renowned coaches such as Philippe Saint-André have been invaluable experiences for Pifeleti. However, the front-rower insists his focus is not on dwelling on the past or looking too far ahead, but rather on embracing the present and making the most of every moment.

“The best way to go about it is just to go week by week and enjoy it. Sometimes you get so caught up in outcomes that you forget to enjoy it. Week by week, that’s how I like to go.”

With November not far off, Pifeleti is already eager to be back in Test match action, hoping to play alongside his older brother, Faka?osi Pifeleti, and help his country deliver more positive results. As the USA enters the second month of the Nations Cup in first place in Pool A, Pifeleti is clear about the team’s mindset, insisting that every match and every minute matters.

“I don’t want us to get ahead of ourselves and only think about Georgia when we are facing Hong Kong China and Romania first. It should be a good and exciting month. We have to improve our consistency, which is something we hope to do in the near future. But we are in a good place right now, and we just want to keep going.”