‘We owe them one’: USA Eagles ready to renew rivalry with Canada

USA Eagles centre Tavite Lopeti smiled after being asked about the upcoming match against rivals Canada, hinting at unfinished business as the sides prepare to meet in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 third-place playoff.

Canada had lost two on the bounce against the USA before claiming a drought-breaking result 34-20 in Edmonton on August 22, 2025. It’s the most recent meeting between the neighbouring nations, who will renew their rugby rivalry in a matter of days.

Fiji and Japan will contest the Pacific Nations Cup Final next weekend after securing clinical wins at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium. But the PNC campaign isn’t over just yet for the two North American sides, who will compete for bronze in Tokyo.

“I think we owe them one from last time that we played them,” Lopeti told RugbyPass after the 63-14 defeat to Japan. The rivalry has been dominated by Canada with 40 victories from 67 meetings, but recent results have tipped the way of the Eagles.

Canada had won seven matches in a row against the USA, before the Eagles snapped that run in a 38-35 thriller 12 years ago. Including that match, the USA have won 13 of the last 16 meetings between the rivals, which included an unbeaten run from 2014 to 2019.

The Canadians and USA both highlighted some immediate work-ons after their semi-final defeats on Saturday. Lucas Rumball told this publication that Canada still took “a good step forward for a younger group” despite the 45-29 loss to Fiji.

USA captain Jason Damm spoke post-game about the set-piece, with the Eagles winning 64 per cent of their own lineouts. Lopeti later highlighted a key focus area for the backline, who had some good moments even in defeat.

“A big thing for us is just our kicking game and making sure we’re nailing our roles,” Lopeti said.

“Putting the ball in the air, making sure it’s a 50-50 with a good contest in the air and everybody executing their roles.”

Japan raced out to a 28-0 lead after just 16 minutes, with Dylan Riley among the four try-scorers early on. But the USA began to claw their way back into the contest, with Shilo Klein the first to strike, before Lopeti fought to the line as well.

Lopeti got the ball around the 22 and powered through a couple of tackle attempts in an eye-catching run to the house. It was the highlight from another strong performance for the centre, who was prolific in the USA XV’s win over an Argentina XV in Miami last month.

“Being in the midfield, we want to provide a good platform for the team, give them some good go-forward,” he added.

“If there’s one thing that I know from myself, I just keep my legs going in the contact area.”