USA coach on facing 2027 World Cup opponents Japan in PNC semi-final

Less than 400 days will spereate the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 semi-final in Osaka between the USA and Japan, and when those same sides meet again at Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 at Adelaide Oval.

It’s the same story on the other side of the Pacific Nations Cup draw, with defending champions Fiji taking on Canada about one year out from their meeting at the World Cup. It won’t be a direct dress rehearsal in either match, but it still serves an invaluable opportunity for all involved.

USA coach Scott Lawrence has selected a 23-man side that includes experienced campaigners like captain Jason Daam, scrum-half Ruben de Haas, and former World Rugby Player of the Year Joe Taufete’e returns to Test rugby via the bench.

But there’s also the chance for less-experienced Eagles to make their mark on the international stage, as the squad continues to build towards a return to the World Cup stage after missing out on the 2023 edition in France.

“I think it means that both teams, if you look at the selections of the teams, they’re both developing players towards that World Cup,” Lawrence told reporters on Friday.

“In terms of the result, we’re not looking too much into the result, we’re more looking at the playing base. From what I can see, it looks like the Japanese staff is doing the same.

“We’ll be looking really at individual performances. Neither team will show too much now because there will be some surprises in store for everyone I’m sure during the World Cup.”

The USA went through the July block of World Rugby Nations Cup Tests with an unbeaten 3-0 record, as they prevailed in a series of matches involving opposition teams also bound for the Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Coach Lawrence then took charge of a USA XV, with that squad assembling for a camp at the IMG Academy in Florida before taking on an Argentina XV. In the non-Test, the USA held on for a one-point win in a nail-biting clash at Inter Miami FC Stadium.

“There will be 33 players that go to the 2027 World Cup. In order to get 33 players on the roster you’ll probably need around 66 players in total,” Lawrence said when asked about that match.

“It’s important for us to continue to build depth of the playing pool. The way that you build depth is through experiences that put players under pressure and see how they perform, so that was a wonderful experience, not only in the game itself but in preparation in Florida.”

USA Rugby announced a squad update ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup semi-finals, with coach Lawrence explaining the changes on the eve of the Test. Kaleb Geiger and Vili Helu have been called into the squad as cover for an injured trio.

Lawrence confirmed that Campbell Robb, Ma’ake Muti and Brandon Harvey will return home this week after suffering injuries at training. But it’s seen Geiger come into the mix a week earlier than expected, and Helu’s is back in the mix for the first time since last November.

“Kaleb was always meant to join us here in Japan… we’re just bringing him in a week early. That’s exciting to get him back in, he’s coming back from return-to-play.

“Vili Helu has been here with Kurita Water Gush… he’s part of our campaign last year so we’re excited to have Vili back in. It presents an opportunity to him to be able to have a look within the squad, but also an opportunity for us to see how he’s progressed over the last year while he’s been playing out here in Japan.”