Pacific Nations Cup
Eagles strike blow against Japan
ESPN Staff
July 25, 2015
Andrew Durutalo
Andrew Durutalo© Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The USA ended more than a decade of hurt with their first victory over Japan since 2003, scoring a 23-18 success in Sacramento in the Pacific Nations Cup.

With the two sides set to face each other in Pool B at the Rugby World Cup later this year, Friday's clash presented an opportunity to strike an early psychological blow.

And the USA did just that, despite being outdone in the try-scoring stakes, with Japan touching down for two to the Eagles' one.

That USA try came courtesy of flanker Drew Durutalo, with fly-half AJ MacGinty striking six penalties to ease the pain of the Eagles' opening-round loss to Samoa.

Japan's pair of tries came via the hands of wing Akihito Yamada and No.8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani, and head coach Eddie Jones will be concerned to have seen his side throw away a lead which at one point stood at 18-9.

The two nations could yet meet again in the competition's third-place play-off, depending on how results fall next week. The USA face Tonga, while Japan take on Fiji.

In other results, Samoa and Fiji played out a thrilling 30-30 draw in Sacremento, with Samoa storming back from 27-10 with 30 minutes to play.

© ESPN Staff

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