US Eagle Christopher Hilsenbeck: 'I was way more nervous when I debuted for Germany'

The Eagles are soaring high after victories over Portugal and Zimbabwe in the first two rounds of the Nations Cup, putting them in a strong position ahead of Saturday’s clash with Spain.

Scott Lawrence’s side pulled off two sensational comebacks, with fly-half Christopher Hilsenbeck playing a central role in defeating the Lobos in the opening match of the Nations Cup. With the USA trailing by 2-points, the 34-year-old maestro was called to take a match-winning penalty kick with only two minutes remaining.

After taking a last look at the goalposts and expelling the extra air from his chest, the fly-half struck the oval ball with pristine precision, nailing the conversion and securing another dramatic win over their European rivals.

Yet Hilsenbeck’s match-winning contribution against Portugal was nothing new as the fly-half had previously slotted a successful kick against the Lobos in 2015 while wearing Germany’s colours.

Although born in California, he moved with his parents to Heidelberg when he was a few months old and would go on to become a full-fledged German international two decades later.

After featuring for the European national team for seven years, he decided to step down from the international scene to focus fully on his club career with RC Vannes.

However, a twist of fate occurred in late 2024 when the fly-half decided to have another crack at Test rugby, this time as a US representative.

“When I was in my final years in France, the chance to play for the Eagles sprang up, and so I started to look into the MLR and my American citizenship.”

“I had a chat with Stephen Brett, who was the backs coach for the USA then, and made the decision to go for that goal of playing for my country of birth.”

With his time with Germany in the rear-view mirror, the utility back doesn’t forget his memorable time as a member of the German national team.

“My whole life was spent in Germany, as I moved there when I was a few months old. I am German and American, and that’s why I was so staunch when I made my debut for Germany. Unfortunately, we went through a rough time when we didn’t qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.”

In 2025, after joining the Chicago Hounds ensemble, Hilsenbeck became eligible for the Eagles, making his unexpected debut against Belgium on the 6th of July.

The US were triumphant 36-17 on that day with the former US Colomiers and RC Vannes operator playing the final 20 minutes, and admitting he wasn’t anxious for that moment.

“I was way more nervous when I debuted for Germany. When you are younger, things always look different, as everything is new. However, because I learned to appreciate everything, I can say I enjoyed making my debut for the US much more. I wasn’t anxious or nervous and wasn’t overthinking with the ‘ifs and don’ts’.”

From moving to France to assist Germany in their bid to reach the World Cup and then returning to the United States of America, 13 years passed between his two Test Match debuts, but the changes didn’t stop there, as he himself changed as well.

“I’ve gotten a lot older! But jokes aside, I’ve gotten more confident in my game and abilities, which was the result of several seasons I played in France. When I was younger, I was always worried about ‘what if I miss some kicks today?’ Nowadays, I am more composed and consistent.”

After the excitement of earning his first cap for the United States had settled, Hilsenbeck experienced what he later described as a “career-defining” moment: helping the Eagles beat Samoa to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“It was one of the greatest memories of my career. If we hadn’t qualified for the World Cup, it potentially would’ve been my last game. But we pushed and worked hard, made a strong commitment to the team and the goal, and we got the result we wanted and deserved in the end.”

In his view, there is a growing appetite for rugby in the US, as fans are immensely proud of the Eagles, and the 2027 and 2031 World Cups have the potential to be two key drivers of increased interest and growth.

However, he also maintains that, to keep fans invested in the sport, it is essential to offer a product that is both consistent and sustainable over the long term.

“In cities where you consistently offer rugby, like Chicago or Boston, the sport has grown. The Chicago Hounds averaged 4,000 in attendance; our game against Portugal drew more than 11,000 people to the stands. There’s a big base of rugby fans; we just need to deliver a consistent product. American fans love teams that win, that are exciting to watch, and rugby has a lot of that.”

That is why the Nations Cup has an important role to play in that growth, with Hilsenbeck highlighting how the frenzy, intensity, and jeopardy make for an appealing product for American rugby fans.

“The Nations Cup is a great way of packaging these international games. It makes sense to them, as there are standings, rankings, and jeopardy. It is a great way to entice and attract fans, and I think it was a step in the right direction.”

With the first set of three games of the Nations Cup about to end, the utility back is looking to put in another strong performance against Spain in his bid to earn a place in the World Cup roster come September 2027.

If he can achieve it, it will be the realisation of a lifelong dream, one that traces back to the countless hours he spent watching Rugby World Cups throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

“When you are growing up, you dream of playing in these big sports events. I remember recording the games on VHS tapes and watching them over and over again. For me, the dream is still going, and I hope I can have my son in my arms after one of our games of the next year’s World Cup, as I want to share that memory with him.”

Creating lasting memories has become second nature to Hilsenbeck, who etched his name into another memorable chapter less than two weeks ago by kicking the decisive three points in the Eagles’ win over the Men’s Rugby Europe champions, Portugal.

With just two minutes remaining, Hilsenbeck successfully guided the ball between the posts, explaining what was going through his mind leading up to and immediately following the kick.

“To be honest, before the kick I tried not to make it that big of a thing. I quickly had a glance at the clock, and as there were still a few minutes to go, I thought to myself, ‘If I miss it, we still have time for another opportunity.’ But I was feeling confident that day, so I placed the ball in my tee, punted it, and it went through the goalposts.”

Having turned that page, he now looks ahead while still reflecting on his past, with Germany and France holding a special place in his memories, explaining that both will always be on his mind at every new step.

“Germany is a big part of my journey and identity. Even after my time with the Schwarze Adler has come and gone, I still get cheering messages from German fans. If I have the chance to play in the World Cup, Germany and France will be in my mind.”