The United States national rugby union team has played in all. But two Rugby World Cups since the: inaugural tournament in 1987. The USA is: theββsecond strongest national rugby side in North America, and the third strongest in the Americas after Argentina and Canada.
The U.S. has played in eight World Cups from the inaugural 1987 tournamentββto the 2019 tournamentβall but the "1995." And 2023 World Cups. The team's best result so far has beenββto win one gameβwhich they accomplished in 1987, "2003," and 2011.
The U.S. is set to host it in 2031.
Summary of results by, tournamentβ»
Rugby World Cup record | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Played | Won | Lost | PF | PA | PD | Squad | Head coach | |
1987 | Pool stage | 3 | 1 | 2 | 39 | 99 | β60 | Squad | G. Hook | |
1991 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 113 | β89 | Squad | J. Perkins | |
1995 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
1999 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 135 | β83 | Squad | J. Clark | |
2003 | Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 3 | 86 | 125 | β39 | Squad | T. Billups | |
2007 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 142 | β81 | Squad | P. Thorburn | |
2011 | Pool stage | 4 | 1 | 3 | 38 | 122 | β84 | Squad | E. O'Sullivan | |
2015 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | β106 | Squad | M. Tolkin | |
2019 | Pool stage | 4 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 156 | β104 | Squad | G. Gold | |
2023 | Did not qualify | |||||||||
2027 | To be, determined | |||||||||
2031 | Qualified as host | |||||||||
Total | β | 29 | 3 | 26 | 402 | 1,048 | β646 | β | β |
Summary of results by opponentβ»
Against | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Australia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
South Africa | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
England | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
France | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Scotland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Ireland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Fiji | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Samoa | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Italy | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Tonga | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Romania | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Japan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 67 |
Russia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
Argentina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 29 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 10.3% |
Notes:
- Results current through end of 2019 Rugby World Cup.
- The US has never played Wales. Or Canada in a RWC, even though those two teams have played in every RWC.
- Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, and Portugal are the other seven nations that have yet to play the US at the Rugby World Cup that have previously qualified.
Qualifyingβ»
The U.S. has qualified for every World Cup, except for the 1995 and "2023 tournaments."
RWC | Record | Defeated | Lost to | Qualifying method |
---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | β | No qualifying competition; all 16 participating nations were invited. | ||
1991 | 1β3 | Canada (14β12) | Argentina (6β13, 6β23); Canada (3β21) |
Finished third of three teams in Americas qualifying. |
1995 | 1β2 | Bermuda (60β3) | Argentina (22β28, 11β16) | Failed to qualify: Lost to Argentina 44β33 in a two-game series. |
1999 | 1β2 | Uruguay (21β16) | Argentina (24β52); Canada (14β31) |
Finished third in Americas qualifying by defeating Uruguay 21β16. |
2003 | 2β4 | Uruguay (28β24); Chile (35β22) |
Canada (9β26, 13β36); Chile (13β21); Uruguay (9β10) |
Finished ahead of Chile to qualify for the repechage; Defeated Spain 120β26 in a two-game series in the repechage. |
2007 | 3β1 | Uruguay (42β13, 33β7); Barbados (91β0) |
Canada (7β56) | Defeated Uruguay 75β20 in a two-game series. |
2011 | 3β1 | Uruguay (27β22, 27β6); Canada (12β6) |
Canada (18β41) | Defeated Uruguay 54β28 in a two-game series. |
2015 | 1β2β1 | Uruguay (32β13) | Canada (9β27, 11β13) | Defeated Uruguay 59β40 in a two-game series. |
2019 | 1β0β1 | Canada (52β16) | Defeated Canada 80β44 in a two-game series. | |
2023 | 5β3β1 | Failed to qualify: Finished second in cross-regional playoff. |
Opponent | Played | Won | Lost | Percent |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | 10 | 2 | 8 | 20% |
Uruguay | 8 | 7 | 1 | 88% |
Argentina | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0% |
Chile | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
- Notes
- ^ Format is Win-Loss,/in the case of draws, Win-Loss-Draw.
Rugby World Cup hostingβ»
So far the USA has not hosted any Rugby World Cup games. However, the United States will host the 2031 Rugby World Cup, it will mark the first Rugby World Cup ever held in the Americas.
Team RWC recordsβ»
- Most points scored in a single tournament: 86 (2003)
- Most points scored in a single match: 39 (39β26 vs. Japan in 2003)
- Largest margin of victory: 13 (39β26 vs. Japan in 2003)
Player RWC recordsβ»
Careerβ»
Updated: October 12, 2015.
|
Updated: October 12, 2015.
|
Updated: October 12, 2015.
|
Tries scoredβ»
The following table shows all U.S. players that have scored two or more tries in their World Cup career, plus all active players who have scored at least one World Cup try.
Player | Tries | β87 | β91 | β95* | β99 | β03 | β07 | β11 | β15 | β19 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Wyles | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||
Taku Ngwenya | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
Kort Schubert | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Ray Nelson | 3 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
Mike Te'o | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Blaine Scully | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Louis Stanfill | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Mike Hercus | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Riaan van Zyl | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Mike Purcell | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Titi Lamositele | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Bryce Campbell | 1 | 1 |
Note: The U.S. failed to qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
- Most penalties scored: Mike Hercus, 15 (2003 & 2007)
Single tournamentβ»
- Most points in a single tournament: Mike Hercus, 51 (2003)
- Most tries in a single tournament: Kort Schubert, 3 (2003)
Individual tournaments: 1987 to presentβ»
1987 Rugby World Cupβ»
Pool 1 games
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 41 | +67 | 18 | 6 | Knockout stage |
England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 32 | +68 | 15 | 4 | |
United States | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 99 | −60 | 5 | 2 | |
Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | −75 | 7 | 0 |
24 May 1987 |
Japan | 18β21 | United States |
Try: Taumoefolau (2) Yoshinaga Pen: Yoshinaga Kutsuki | Try: Nelson Purcell Lambert Con: Nelson (3) Pen: Nelson |
Ballymore, Brisbane Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Guy Maurette (France) |
31 May 1987 |
Australia | 47β12 | United States |
Try: Leeds (2) Penalty try Campese Smith Slack Papworth Codey Con: Lynagh (6) Pen: Lynagh | Try: Nelson Con: Nelson Pen: Nelson Drop: Horton |
Ballymore, Brisbane Attendance: 10,855 Referee: Brian Anderson (Scotland) |
3 June 1987 |
England | 34β6 | United States |
Try: Winterbottom (2) Harrison Dooley Con: Webb (3) Pen: Webb (4) | Try: Purcell Con: Nelson |
Concord Oval, Sydney Attendance: 8,785 Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia) |
1991 Rugby World Cupβ»
Pool 1 games
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 95 | 39 | +56 | 6 |
England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 85 | 33 | +52 | 4 |
Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 57 | 76 | −19 | 2 |
United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 113 | −89 | 0 |
1991-10-05 |
Italy | 30β9 | United States |
Tries: Barba, Francescato, Vaccari, Gaetaniello Con: Dominguez (4) Pen: Dominguez (2) | Tries: Swords Con: Williams Pen: Williams |
Cross Green, Otley Referee: Owen Doyle (Ireland) |
1991-10-08 |
New Zealand | 46β6 | United States |
Tries: Wright (3), Earl, Purvis, Timu, Tuigamala, Innes Con: Preston (4) Pen: Preston (2) | Pen: Williams (2) |
Kingsholm, Gloucester Attendance: 12,000 Referee: Efraim Sklar (Argentina) |
1991-10-11 |
England | 37β9 | United States |
Tries: Underwood (2), Carling, Skinner, Heslop Con: Hodgkinson (4) Pen: Hodgkinson (3) | Tries: Nelson Con: Williams Pen: Williams |
Twickenham, London Referee: Les Peard (Wales) |
1995 Rugby World Cupβ»
Did not qualify.
The Americas were allotted only two teams for the 1995 tournament. Canada automatically qualified, by virtue of reaching the quarterfinals of the 1991 tournament. Only 1 place remained for the Americas qualifying, to be decided by the winner of the home-and-away series between the US and Argentina (the winner of the Americas South bracket) in 1994. In that series, the US lost their home match 22β28, and also lost their away match 11β16. With the 2β0 record and 44-33 aggregate score, Argentina secured the final qualifying spot for the Americas.
1999 Rugby World Cupβ»
Pool E games
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 31 | +104 | 9 |
Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 45 | +55 | 7 |
Romania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 126 | −76 | 5 |
United States | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 135 | −83 | 3 |
1999-10-02 |
Ireland | 53β8 | United States |
Tries: Keith Wood (4), Brian O'Driscoll, Justin Bishop, Penalty try Con: David Humphreys (4) Eric Elwood (2) Pen: David Humphreys (2) | Report | Tries: Kevin Dalzell Pen: Kevin Dalzell |
Lansdowne Road, Dublin Attendance: 30,000 Referee: Joel Dume (France) |
1999-10-09 |
United States | 25β27 | Romania |
Tries: Kurt Shuman, Brian Hightower, Dan Lyle Con: Kevin Dalzell (2) Pen: Kevin Dalzell (2) | Tries: Alin Petrache, Gheorghe Solomie, Tudor Constantin Con: Petre Mitu (2) Pen: Petre Mitu |
Lansdowne Road, Dublin Referee: Jim Fleming (Scotland) |
1999-10-14 |
Australia | 55β19 | United States |
Tries: Scott Staniforth (2), Chris Latham, Chris Whitaker, Michael Foley, Matthew Burke, Stephen Larkham, Tiaan Straaus Con: Matthew Burke (5), Joe Roff Pen: Matthew Burke | Tries: Juan Grobler Con: Kevin Dalzell Pen: Kevin Dalzell (4) |
Thomond Park, Limerick Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa) |
2003 Rugby World Cupβ»
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | +134 | 4 | 20 | Quarter-finals |
Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | +5 | 2 | 14 | |
Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | −16 | 2 | 10 | |
United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | −39 | 2 | 6 | |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | −84 | 0 | 0 |
2003-10-15 |
Fiji | 19β18 | United States |
Tries: Naevo Con: Little Pen: Little (4) | Tries: van Zyl, Schubert Con: Hercus Pen: Hercus (2) |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 30,990 Referee: JoΓ«l Jutge (France) |
2003-10-20 |
Scotland | 39β15 | United States |
Tries: Danielli (2), Kerr, Townsend, Paterson Con: Paterson (4) Pen: Paterson (2) | Pen: Hercus (5) |
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 46,796 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
2003-10-27 |
Japan | 26β39 | United States |
Tries: Kurihara, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (4) | Tries: Hercus, Eloff, Schubert, van Zyl, Khasigian Con: Hercus (4) Pen: Hercus (2) |
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford Attendance: 19,653 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
2003-10-31 |
France | 41β14 | United States |
Tries: Liebenberg (3), Poux, Bru Con: Merceron (2) Pen: Merceron (3) Drop: Yachvili | Tries: Hercus, Schubert Con: Hercus (2) |
WIN Stadium, Wollongong Attendance: 17,833 Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand) |
Mike Hercus was the leading points scorer for the United States - and 7th leading scorer among all players - with 51 points (2 tries, 9 penalties, 7 conversions).
2007 Rugby World Cupβ»
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Africa | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 189 | 47 | +142 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2011 Rugby World Cup |
2 | England | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 108 | 88 | +20 | 2 | 14 | |
3 | Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 96 | −7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for 2011 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 143 | −74 | 1 | 5 | |
5 | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 61 | 142 | −81 | 1 | 1 |
8 September 2007 18:00 |
England | 28β10 | United States |
Tries: Robinson 35' m Barkley 40+' c Rees 49' c Con: Barkley (2/3) Pen: Barkley (3/3) 7', 22', 31' | Report | Tries: Moeakiola 74' c Con: Hercus (1/1) Pen: Hercus (1/1) 9' |
Stade FΓ©lix Bollaert, Lens Attendance: 36,755 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
12 September 2007 14:00 |
United States | 15 β 25 | Tonga |
Tries: MacDonald 47' m Stanfill 67' c Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/2) 33' | Report | Tries: Maka 2' c Vaka 59' m Vaki 70' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/2) 7', 26' |
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
26 September 2007 20:00 |
Samoa | 25β21 | United States |
Tries: Fa'atau 5' m Tuilagi 9' c Thompson 37' c Con: Crichton (2/3) Pen: Crichton (2/2) 30', 72' | Report | Tries: Ngwenya 53' c Stanfill 79' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (3/4) 32', 65', 75' |
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Γtienne Attendance: 34,124 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
30 September 2007 20:00 |
South Africa | 64β15 | United States |
Tries: Burger 10' c Steyn 28' c Habana (2) 35' c, 42' m van der Linde 48' c du Preez 54' c Fourie (2) 64' c, 73' c Smith 77' c Con: Montgomery (6/7) James (2/2) Pen: Montgomery (1/1) 17' | Report | Tries: Ngwenya 39' c Wyles 51' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/1) 20' |
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier Attendance: 28,750 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England) |
2007 Squad:
Forwards: Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, Jonathan Vitale, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Mark Aylor, Inaki Basauri, Todd Clever, Fifita Mounga, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield, Dan Payne
Backs: Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus (C), Nese Malifa, Philip Eloff, Vahafolau Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Francois Viljoen, Chris Wyles
Head Coach: Peter Thorburn
In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the US joined England, Samoa, South Africa and Tonga in Pool A. The Eagles, ranked 13th in the world standings, lost all 4 games in Pool A, scoring 1 bonus point in the game against Samoa. Coached by New Zealander Peter Thorburn, the Eagles started off with tough match against the defending world champions England, losing 28β10. The US was then beaten by Tonga 25β15, lost to Samoa 25 β 21, and lost their final match to highly favored South Africa 64 β 15. The Eagles, however, had a major highlight in the South Africa match. After an interception and a pair of passes, Takudzwa Ngwenya sped down the sideline and outran Bryan Habana, arguably the fastest man in world rugby, to score a try that received Try of the Year honors at the 2007 IRB Awards.
2011 Rugby World Cupβ»
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ireland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 135 | 34 | +101 | 15 | 1 | 17 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Australia | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 173 | 48 | +125 | 25 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 92 | 95 | −3 | 13 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
4 | United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 122 | −84 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
5 | Russia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 57 | 196 | −139 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
11 September 2011 | Ireland | 22β10 | United States | Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth |
15 September 2011 | Russia | 6β13 | United States | Stadium Taranaki, New Plymouth |
23 September 2011 | Australia | 67β5 | United States | Regional Stadium, Wellington |
27 September 2011 | Italy | 27β10 | United States | Trafalgar Park, Nelson |
Chris Wyles was the USA's leading scorer of the 2011 tournament with 18 points (1 try, 3 penalties, 2 conversions).
Mike Petri, Paul Emerick, and JJ Gagiano each scored 5 points (1 try) for the US.
30 Man Squad:
- Hooker: Chris Biller, Phil Thiel, Brian McClenahan
- Prop: Mike MacDonald, Mate Moeakiola, Shawn Pittman, Eric Fry
- Lock: Hayden Smith, John van der Giessen
- Loose: Todd Clever (c), Louis Stanfill, Nic Johnson, Scott LaValla, Patrick Danahy, JJ Gagiano, Inaki Basauri
- Scrumhalf: Mike Petri, Tim Usasz
- Flyhalf: Roland Suniula, Nese Malifa
- Center: Andrew Suniula, Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Junior Sifa
- Wing: Takudzwa Ngwyenya, James Paterson, Kevin Swiryn, Colin Hawley
- Fullback: Chris Wyles, Blaine Scully
The Eagles showed tremendous fight and power in their World Cup opening match against Ireland emotionally charged as the game coincided with the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The Irish came out strong but the Eagles were stiff in defense. The Irish suffered from poor goal kicking and were only able to gain a 3β0 lead before finally scoring their first try at the 39' mark to take a 10-0 half-time lead. The Irish came out more ready to play in the second half but still ran into stiff Eagles defense. Ultimately the Irish scored two more tries to give a final tally of 22 points. The Eagles succeeded in frustrating Irish expectations to gain a bonus point with a full strength squad and managed to post 10 points led by an interception try on full-time by Paul Emerick.
The Eagles came into the World Cup with their measuring mark for success as being win over Russia. The Eagles did not disappoint. Russia leaped out to an early 3β0 lead after a penalty goal from inside the 22 set up by a block on a Mike Petri box kick. The Americans took a 10β3 lead into the half after a break by Andrew Suniula set up a try for Mike Petri. The kicking duty fell upon Chris Wyles who capitalized on his first kick, a deep strike in poor conditions from the 10 meter line. Wyles was also successful on a conversion and with his last attempt at goal. He did, however, miss 3 kicks at goal and a drop goal. Russia would land once more on the board to snatch a bonus point from the match but fell to the final tally of USA 13β6 Russia. Both Wyles and Mike MacDonald had amazing matches as McDonald scooped up the man of the match accolades. The Eagles were absolutely dominant at the lineout winning 7 of Russia's 13 throws and winning all 12 of their own throws. The win elevated the Eagles back up to 17th in the IRB rankings and dropped Russia one spot to 21st.
For their third match the Eagles trotted out a squad with 14 changes from the one that met Russia, ensuring that each player on the roster received a cap in the tournament. Australia got on the board early with tries at the 7- and 10-minute marks, but the Eagles answered with a JJ Gagiano try at the 22nd minute that cut the deficit to 10β5. Australia quickly responded with two more tries to take a 22β5 lead into the half along with clinching bonus point. In the second half the Wallabies jumped on the Eagles leading to the final result of 67β5. This was the worst defeat a US team has ever suffered to Australia.
The final match saw the Eagles playing for a 3rd-place finish in Pool C and an automatic qualification into the 2015 Rugby World Cup. The Eagles faced Italy (the Azzurri) and the scoring began early by the Azzurri. But the Eagles struck back with a Chris Wyles try and conversion to level the match 7-7. The Italians struck quickly with their second try. And scored their third try on the stroke of halftime to lead 20β10 at the half. Italy focused their second-half efforts on scoring a fourth try and the bonus point. The US second-half defense held for 25 minutes, but after tremendous pressure by the Italian scrum - which Italy dominated all match - the Azzurri got their fourth try and the bonus point in the 65th minute. That try and conversion were the only points for the Azzurri in the second half. The defeat marked the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2011 season for the Eagles.
2015 Rugby World Cupβ»
U.S. summer preparations for the World Cup included four matches at the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup plus two additional World Cup warm-up matches. The U.S. earned three wins and three losses over these matches, with wins against Canada (twice) and Japan.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 23 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 14 | 2 | 14 | |
3 | Japan | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | −55 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
5 | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | −106 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
20 September 2015 | Samoa | 25β16 | United States | Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |
27 September 2015 | Scotland | 39β16 | United States | Elland Road, Leeds |
7 October 2015 | South Africa | 64β0 | United States | Olympic Stadium, London |
11 October 2015 | United States | 18β28 | Japan | Kingsholm, Gloucester |
World Rugby Rankings | |||
---|---|---|---|
Rankings 10β20 as of 7 September 2015 | |||
Rank | Change* | Team | Points |
10 | Scotland | 75.88 | |
11 | Tonga | 75.69 | |
12 | Samoa | 75.14 | |
13 | 1 | Japan | 72.06 |
14 | 1 | Italy | 70.53 |
15 | 1 | United States | 70.36 |
16 | 3 | Georgia | 69.36 |
17 | Romania | 66.28 | |
18 | Canada | 65.17 | |
19 | Uruguay | 62.11 | |
20 | Namibia | 61.85 | |
The U.S. reached as high as 15th in the rankings in the buildup to the 2015 World Cup. |
At the World Cup, the U.S. lost its first match against Samoa 16β25. The Eagles suffered from ill discipline, committing 14 penalties (compared to 7 for Samoa); and from poor tackling, with a 79% tackle success rate and 29 missed tackles, (compared to Samoa's 86% tackle rate and 19 missed tackles).
The team entered World Cup play with the highest hopes in years. The pool draw placed the Eagles alongside Japan, a team they had beaten earlier in the summer, Samoa, a team they've played well in the past, and Scotland. Scotland, though a tier 1 nation, had struggled in recent years. The last team was South Africa, a team that lost its first match of the World Cup to Japan. In their opening match against Samoa, the United States trailed 14β8 at the half, and ultimately fell 25β16, after finding tremendous difficulties at the lineout and in the scrum.
Carrying a tough 0β1 start into the team's second match, the Eagles made history by claiming a first ever halftime lead over a tier 1 nation (13β6), on the back of a strong showing in the scrum. The second half was less kind, as Scotland quickly overcame the deficit and pushed the final score well out of reach: Scotland 39, USA 16.
With a winless campaign becoming a real possibility, the coaching staff chose a roster that drastically differed from the starters in the first two matches. Against South Africa, the Eagles struggled early and were dominated in the scrum, but kept the match close at the break with South Africa holding a 14-point lead. In the second half, the Springboks blew the match open, running the match to 64β0. The defeat is the fifth largest in USA Rugby history and the largest in a World Cup.
Category | Player | Total | Rank |
---|---|---|---|
Carries | Samu Manoa | 57 | 2nd |
Carries over the gain line | Samu Manoa | 26 | 4th |
Turnovers made | Andrew Durutalo | 6 | 8th |
Penalties scored | AJ MacGinty | 7 | 9th |
Points scored | AJ MacGinty | 25 | 17th |
Tackles made | Alastair McFarland | 37 | β |
Source: World Rugby Rank is as of the end of the pool stages, and does not include the knockout rounds.
2019 Rugby World Cupβ»
26 September 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) England | 45β7 | United States |
Try: Ford 6' c Vunipola 25' c Cowan-Dickie 33' m Cokanasiga (2) 48' m, 76' c McConnochie 58' c Ludlam 67' c Con: Ford (5/7) 7', 26', 60', 68', 77' | Report | Try: Campbell 80+1' c Con: MacGinty (1/1) 80+2' |
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe Attendance: 27,194 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) |
2 October 2019 16:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) France | 33β9 | United States |
Try: Huget 6' c Raka 24' m Fickou 67' c Serin 70' c Poirot 79' c Con: Ramos (1/2) 8' Lopez (3/3) 68', 71', 80'+1 | Report | Pen: MacGinty (3/3) 19', 31', 65' |
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Attendance: 17,660 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) |
9 October 2019 13:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Argentina | 47-17 | United States |
Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) |
13 October 2019 14:45 JST (UTC+09) |
United States | 19-31 | Tonga |
Hanazono Rugby Stadium, HigashiΕsaka Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
2023 Rugby World Cupβ»
Did not qualify.
Finished second to Portugal in the cross-regional playoff.
See alsoβ»
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup, Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1-86074-602-0)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)
Referencesβ»
- ^ Japan vs United States 1987 ESPN Scrum
- ^ Japan vs United States 1987 World Rugby
- ^ Australia vs United States RWC 1987 Archived 15 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine ESPN Scrum
- ^ Australia vs United States RWC 1987 World Rugby
- ^ worldrugby.org. "World Rugby | world.rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
- ^ "England v United States of America". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
- ^ "Irish in Battle with Eagles, but Win". Rugbymag.com. September 11, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "USA Edges Russia in World Cup". Rugbymag.com. September 15, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "More than One Hero". Rugbymag.com. September 15, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "Rugby Union β ESPN Scrum β Russia v United States of America at New Plymouth, Sep 15, 2011". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "Wallabies Much Too Much for Eagles". Rugbymag.com. September 23, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "USA Brave in 27β10 Loss to Italy". Rugbymag.com. September 27, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ "World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ Samoa vs United States, ESPN Scrum. Accessed 20 September 2015.
- ^ "USA come up just short against Samoa", ESPN UK, September 20, 2015.
- ^ "Scotland beat the USA 39β16 to go top of Pool B", SkySports.net, September 27, 2015.
- ^ "Scotland find second wind to down Eagles", ESPN UK, September 27, 2015.
- ^ "Green Lineup Selected for Springboks", RugbyToday.com, October 5, 2015.
- ^ "Cliff Notes: Digesting the Shutout", Pat Clifton, October 8, 2015.
- ^ "Second Half Sees USA to Historic Loss", Pat Clifton, October 7, 2015.