USA Rugby returned to Florida for a dramatic down to the wire 25-24 win in Fort Lauderdale’s Inter Miami CF Stadium against a strong Argentina XV.
Going head to head throughout the match, the USA lit up the scoreboard first taking 3 points from the tee. Argentina XV responded quickly getting across the line for a try bringing them ahead 3-5, setting the scene for the match as both teams traded points leads with the USA XV eventually sealing the win.
After an intensive training camp in the Florida heat training through this match, Head Coach Scott Lawrence commented;
“We put a lot of hard work in during the last two weeks. We knew we were going to be tired going into this game, which was part of the process. But to hold on at the end and have a goal line stand to finish the game, physically shows how much buy in there is from the men right now and what we're trying to achieve.”
“Today was really about choosing toughness. There were some hard moments, and you have to choose that. That last four minutes was choosing it. It was getting up off the ground. It was getting around the corner. It was launching into the tackle. Generally, we're seeing an improvement in the speed of play. We were pressure tested against a very good Argentina XV team, and we're happy to get a win with it.”
With players on eligibility and developmental pathways in play, Head Coach Scott Lawrence tested new players developing the depth of the squad as the team prep for the bigger Rugby World Cup 2027 goal.
“They came out and played with a lot of energy” Lawrence continued on the new faces featuring; “When you come into a game, you need to get your role right. There's some things we want to improve, as always, but generally, they were bought in, and that's all we can ask for.
An early Luke Carty kick from the tee, put the USA XV up by 3 before the Argentinians crossed the line first to take the lead 3-5.
Executing a clean lineout five meters out, the USA set up a powerful driving maul to drive over the line with Shilo Klein touching down, putting the Americans ahead 8-5. However, crisp passing and footwork allowed the Argentina side drew in the USA XV defense and opened up space for a second try, shifting the lead back to Argentina 10-8.
Swinging the ball wide from a midfield ruck, the USA pop passed through hands to get the ball out to Makeen Alikhan to dive across and bring the Americans up 15-10. The Argentines found an overlap out wide and ran a fast try down the side bringing them up to 15-17 just ahead of the half.
Down a man due to a yellow card just ahead of half time, the USA XV did well to defend until the Argentine side leveled the playing field in match day fashion with a card of their own. Kicking at goal, Luke Carty slotted 3 points in front of the posts to bring the USA up 18-17.
A high ball recycled quickly to Marno Redelinghuys running on with speed, put the back rower into space to dive across the line, converted to 25-17.
In line with the match cadence, Argentina countered with a try, converting to bring them within striking distance at 25-24 putting the USA XV under pressure to defend their territory as the Argentines took possession.
With players on eligibility and developmental pathways in play, Head Coach Scott Lawrence tested new faces, developing the depth of his squad as the team preps for the ultimate showdown of Rugby World Cup 2027.
The Eagles will have a reset period before they travel to Japan for a 2 match Tour. Both matches will be live on Paramount+
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Payton Telea-Ilalio | Anthem |
| 2 | Shilo Klein | Unattached |
| 3 | Charlie Abel | Chicago Hounds |
| 4 | Jason Damm © | California Legion |
| 5 | Nathan Den Hoedt | Chicago Hounds |
| 6 | Marno Redelinghuys | Seattle Seawolves |
| 7 | Paddy Ryan | Seattle Seawolves |
| 8 | Makeen Alikhan | Anthem |
| 9 | Ruben de Haas | Chicago Hounds |
| 10 | Luke Carty | Anthem |
| 11 | Joe Mano | California Legion |
| 12 | Dominic Besag | St Mary's University |
| 13 | Tavite Lopeti | Chicago Hounds |
| 14 | Mark O'Keeffe | Chicago Hounds |
| 15 | Julian Roberts | Anthem |
| 16 | Alex Maughan | Anthem |
| 17 | Fakaosifolau Pifeleti | Chicago Hounds |
| 18 | Ma'ake Muti | California Legion |
| 19 | Tevita Naqali | Old Glory DC |
| 20 | Brandon Harvey | Chicago Hounds |
| 21 | Lance Williams | California Legion |
| 22 | Ethan McVeigh | New England Free Jacks |
| 23 | David Coetzer* | Seattle Seawolves |
USA v Japan | September 12, 2026
USA v Japan | September 19, 2026
Scott Lawrence | Head Coach & General Manager
Agustin Cavalieri | Assistant Coach - Forwards
Blake Bradford | Assistant Coach - Scrum
David Williams | Assistant Coach - Transition and Attack
Nathan Grey | Assistant Coach - Defense
Steve Brett | Assistant Coach - Attack and Kicking
Andy Friend | Technical Advisor
Davie Gray | Mindset Coach
Jimmy Harrison | Head of Analysis
Jim Molony | Head of Performance
Rodolfo Broggi | Strength and Conditioning Coach
Lauren DeLuca | Team Registered Dietician
Michael Buonopane | Head Athletic Trainer
Michael Sheridan | Athletic Trainer
Willie Berlanga | Massage Therapist
Dr. Landon Mueller | Team Doctor
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations
Darran Coleman | Assistant Manager
Nick Colling | Team Manager
