USA secure Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification with win over Samoa

The USA has secured qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027 after defeating Samoa 29-13 in the fifth-place playoff of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup in Denver, Colorado.

This victory marks the Eagles’ return to rugby’s biggest stage after missing out on the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. The win also ended a five-match losing streak in the Pacific Nations Cup, which had been the Eagles’ worst run of results in the competition since 2014. Samoa had previously won six of their eight meetings against the Eagles.

The match was tense and error-ridden, with the hosts taking complete control only in the last quarter. In the 61st minute, with Samoa trailing 8-6, former Blues centre Melani Nanai broke through the defence and sprinted 25 meters to score a try under the posts. The movement was sparked after a skip pass from halfback Connor Tupai and a quick, deft pass from blindside flanker OJ Noa.

The USA regrouped and earned a scrum penalty in the 64th minute. A stubborn series of pick-and-go plays followed, eventually wearing down the Samoan defence, allowing Luke Carty to score on the right wing. Earlier, Carty had provided an excellent pass for Toby Fricker to score the Eagles’ first try after 22 minutes.

Samoa, which had initially seized the early initiative but failed to capitalise, began to falter as the Eagles’ set-piece dominance became evident. In the 74th minute, Vili Helu won a lineout, and the USA drove forward.

Eventually, Jason Damm scored with confirmation from the television match officials, extending the score to 20-13. Mitch Wilson’s conversion put the game out of Samoa’s reach. Just two minutes later, New England Free Jacks front-rower Kaleb Greiger, a native of Colorado, scored to secure the win as Samoa lost valuable territory.

While Samoa enjoyed more territory and slightly less possession, their discipline was poor, resulting in 12 penalties and double the number of turnovers compared to the USA. Nanai was a standout, while winger Tuna Tuitama, who made three line breaks, was lively. No. 8 Iakopo Petelo-Mapu was productive.

For the USA, the tight five played a crucial role, while openside Cory Daniel was a workhorse, making 21 tackles. No. 8 Paddy Ryan made 15 tackles and 10 carries, while second five-eighths Tommaso Boni contributed with 11 carries and eight tackles. The halves, Chris Hilsenbeck and Ruben de Hass, provided steady stewardship.

Twenty-two of the 24 teams have been confirmed for Rugby World Cup 2027. Samoa now faces the possibility of missing the tournament for the first time since 1991 and will enter a repechage scenario.

USA: 29 (Toby Fricker, Luke Carty, Jason Damm, Kaleb Geiger, tries; Carty pen, Mitch Wilson 3 cons)
Samoa: 13 (Melani Nanai try; Rodney Iona, 2 pens, Christian Leali’ifano con)
HT: 8-6