Late try Stumies USA vs Canada

09.19.2026Eagles

Player of the game Mason Flesch goes over for Canada. Photo Atsushi Tomura for World Rugby via Getty Images.

Author: Alex Goff

Canada's ability to keep the ball and use that continuity as a defensive tool helped see them through to a 19-16 victory over the USA Saturday in Tokyo.

As a result, Canada takes 3rd in the Pacific Nations Cup and the USA 4th. Jesse Kilgour’s first international try clinched the game for the Canadians, who have an outstanding record against the USA in neutral-site matches.

Scrumhalf Kilgour sniped in from close range shortly before the 60th minute to put Stephen Meehan’s side back in front.

USA captain Jason Damm charges on against Canada. Photo Atsushi Tomura for World Rugby via Getty Images.

That put a halft to a USA comeback that had seen them fall behind 12-0 thanks to tries from Ben Lesage and Mason Flesch (and a Takoda McMullin conversion). But from the midpoint of the first half to the midpoint of the second, the USA had the run of play.

Faka Pifeleti's charged over thanks to an excellent pass from scrumhalf Ruben de Haas and Luke Carty converted to make it 12-7 at 23 minutes. The USA was smart after that, taking points when they were on offer.

Carty slotted a penalty gopal on the stroke of halftime and another moments into the second period to make it 13-12.

However, Kolgour's try secured it for Canada at 19-13. Carty added another penalty late, and you'd forgive the USA players for thinking they could pull it out—that's what they've been doing all summer—but it wasn't to be.

“I’m really disappointed," said USA captain Jason Damm. "We just didn’t put the performance out there that we needed to. We let ourselves down in some areas and there’s a lot to learn from.”

Jesse Kilgour sends the ball out for Canada. Kilgour would eventually score the game-winner. Photo Atsushi Tomura for World Rugby via Getty Images.

For 24th-ranked Canada, this was a big win.

“It feels great," said player of the game Flesch. "To end the tour with a close win like that, I think it was very deserving.”

"So proud of the boys after a real team effort," added Canada captain Lucas Rumball.

Japan beat Fiji 20-15 to win the PNC.

Canada 19
Tries: Lesage, Flesch, Kilgour
Convs: McMullin 2

USA 16
Tries: Pifeleti
Convs: Carty
Pens: Carty 3

The USA now looks ahead to two really challenging matches on home turf.

The Eagles will play the future of Australian international rugby when they take on Australia XV, a squad of players pushing for World Cup selection, on October 24 in Nashville and then October 31 in New York/New Jersey.

Tap the images for tickets.