‘Hearts on their sleeves’: Rumball reflects on Canada’s win over USA Eagles

Lucas Rumball became the fourth-most capped player in Canadian Men’s Rugby history in a gritty 19-16 win over the USA Eagles in Tokyo. The veteran of more than 70 Tests was visibly thrilled post-game, all smiles after an emotional week that ended with a “massive” result.

Canada had won just three of the last 16 meetings between the North American sides, as they looked ahead to the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup third-place playoff. They were looking to back up their heroics from last year, having claimed a 14-point win over the Eagles in Calgary.

But this was a match played at a neutral venue, with the Eagles placed 10 spots higher than the Canadians on the World Rugby rankings. The USA had also started the season with a 3-0 run in the all-new World Rugby Nations Cup, while Canada had gone 1-1-1.

Takoda McMullin missed a difficult penalty attempt inside the first few minutes, but Canada still went on to take control early. Tries to Ben LeSage and Mason Flesch saw the No. 24 race out to a 12-0 lead before the 20-minute mark.

The USA fought their way back multiple times and even made it a three-point ballgame with less than 10 minutes remaining. They looked to steal the win late too, but a last defensive stand from the players draped in red secured a famous victory.

“Personally it’s massive. I’ve gone through my career losing a fair bit to the U.S to be honest. The first year I was captain we lost to them and we kind of continued that streak until last year,” Rumball told RugbyPass.

“It was an emotional week for me and we had a jersey presentation last night where it did get a little bit emotional.

“I’m really proud of the boys for the effort they put out there and the way they wore their hearts on their sleeves and never gave up.”

Canada started the 2026 international season with a remarkable draw with Spain, with the teams scoring more than 80 points between them. They faced another two sides who have also qualified for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, which is less than 13 months away.

Rumball and the other Canadians returned to the Test arena for the Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100^th anniversary match, losing to the Brave Blossoms by 45 points in Niigata. Canada turned their focus to the then defending PNC champions, Fiji, the next weekend.

Fiji scored after just 21 seconds, before Frank Lomani raced away for another try during the early exchanges. But Canada ultimately put 29 points on a side ranked inside the top 10, who are taking part in the Nations Championship this year as well.

“Massively. I think we’ve grown massively,” the captain said.

“The first 20 minutes, first 30 minutes, I think we actually played a positive brand of rugby. We’re looking to attack, looking to find the space.

“I think we’ll probably review the game and be disappointed with some of the options we took in the second half and our inability to complete sets.

“But that first bit, that first half, I was really proud of the boys for not being afraid to play, showing up, taking the options and it’s huge growth for us, it’s something we can really build on going into November.”