The United States have rallied from a 10-point half-time deficit to defeat Canada 38-35 on Saturday in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Sacramento, California.
The win was the United States’ first over Canada since 2009, and gave the Eagles second place behind Japan in the Asia / Pacific conference of the six-nation tournament.
Japan crossed the Pacific to post two victories, defeating Canada 34-25 on June 7 and downing the United States 37-29 last Saturday to seal top spot in the conference before the final clash between the North American neighbors.
Sport24
Earlier Saturday, Samoa defeated Fiji 18-13 in Suva to finish top of the Pacific conference ahead of the Fijians and Tonga.
In Sacramento, before a sell-out crowd of 7 802 at Bonney Field, Brett Thompson made his Test debut for the Eagles and scored one of the team’s four tries.
Blaine Scully added two and Chris Wyles scored one, Wyles adding three conversions and four penalties in the victory.
Although the United States were the more disciplined team in the first half, they went into the break trailing Canada 28-18.
A converted try stretched Canada’s lead to 35-18 shortly after play resumed but they wouldn’t score again.
The United States crashed over for another two scores and two penalties to take a 38-35 lead with 10 minutes remaining, and held off Canada’s desperate bid for a try in the waning minutes.