A spot in the 2027 World Cup is on the line when the USA takes on Samoa in the 5th-place final of the Pacific Nations Cup on Sunday. The tournament has now moved to Denver, and the Eagles will be hoping the altitude works in their favor while the Manu continue to cope with life on the road. Whichever team falls will have another chance to qualify with a play-off series against Chile due to start next week.
Current World Ranking: 19 (65.57 points)
2025-09-06 – USA 21, Japan 47 (Sacramento)
2025-08-22 – Canada 34, USA 20 (Calgary)
2025-07-19 – USA 5, England 40 (Washington DC)
2025-07-12 – USA 20, Spain 31 (Charlotte)
2025-07-05 – USA 36, Belgium 17 (Charlotte)
Current World Ranking: 14 (70.72 points)
2025-09-06 – Samoa 15, Fiji 29 (Rotorua)
2025-08-23 – Tonga 30, Samoa 16 (Nuku’alofa)
2025-07-18 – Samoa 12, Scotland 41 (Auckland)
2024-09-21 – Samoa 18, USA 13 (Osaka)
2024-09-15 – Japan 49, Samoa 27 (Tokyo)
 |
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Jack Iscaro | Ezekiel Lindenmuth |
| 3 | Pono Davis | Kaleb Geiger |
| 6 | Vili Helu | Makeen Alikhan |
| 12 | Tommaso Boni | Tavite Lopeti |
| 15 | Mitch Wilson | Erich Storti |
|
IN | OUT |
| 2 | Luteru Tolai | Pita Anae-Ah Sue |
| 6 | Olajuwon Noa | Taleni Seu |
| 9 | Connor Tupai | Joel Lam |
- Scott Lawrence has again opted for change after the loss to Japan, with a notable return for ex-Azzurri center Tommaso Boni who is back in the side for the first time since last year’s PNC
- after starting at tighthead prop last week, Kaleb Geiger finds himself covering hooker once again among the reserves… Maliu Niuafe is the backup tighthead, the 22-year-old from Sacramento set to make his test debut two years after representing New Zealand at u20 level… reserve loosehead Ezekiel Lindenmuth played once for Samoa in 2022 prior to switching his allegiance to the USA earlier this year
- already without injured captain Theo McFarland, the Manu lost another towering loose forward to suspension with Taleni Seu sitting out after receiving a red card (two foul play yellows) against Fiji… Seattle’s Olajuwon Noa takes Seu’s place on the blindside flank
- ex-Austin lock Potu Leavasa has been called up by Samoa and could debut as a reserve along with Castres back row Abraham Papali’i… meanwhile Christian Leali’ifano could make his first test appearance since the 2023 World Cup, taking the squad place of AJ Alatimu
- there are 10 current or former Major League Rugby players in the Samoan match day squad… every one of the USA’s squad has appeared in the competition, with France-based hooker Kapeli Pifeleti the only Eagle currently playing overseas
Scott Lawrence (Head Coach)
“We’re focused on doing the right kind of work, with the right energy and intensity needed to prepare for these tests. We want to see speed to the breakdown and strength over the ball this week, preparing for the breakdown pressure we’re sure to see coming.”
Jason Damm (Captain)
“We’re making sure to keep consistent with our actions, and keep consistent with our game plan. We’re not letting the moment get to us, we’re staying together as a team and rising to the occasion, whatever comes our way.”
Despite the high stakes both teams are absent several leading players either due to injury or professional commitments, with the Eagles slightly closer to full strength. Remarkably all eight previous meetings between the two have finished within one score, with the USA claiming two of the last three. Neither team is in great form and whoever hits the ground running will have a strong chance of victory, though the bench strength might tip slightly towards Samoa. This looks certain to be a nail-biter, with the visitors getting the pre-game edge based on ranking. Samoa are slight favorites in Denver.
USA
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Jason Damm (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Paddy Ryan, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Toby Fricker, 12 Tommaso Boni, 13 Dom Besag, 14 Rufus McLean, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Maliu Niuafe, 19 Tevita Naqali, 20 Christian Poidevin, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Erich Storti
SAMOA
1 Aki Seiuli, 2 Luteru Tolai, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa (capt.), 4 Ben Nee-Nee, 5 Michael Curry, 6 Olajuwon Noa, 7 Alamanda Motuga, 8 Iakopo Mapu, 9 Connor Tupai, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Melani Nanai, 14 Elisapeta Alofipo, 15 Lolagi Visinia
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Potu Leavasa, 20 Abraham Papali’i, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Tomasi Alosio
Date: Sunday, September 14
Venue: DSG Park, Denver
Kickoff: 12:30 local (11:30 Pacific, 14:30 Eastern, Monday 07:30 Apia)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 70°F (21°C), wind E 4-7mph (7-11km/h)
Broadcasts: Paramount+ (USA), TSN+ (Canada), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
Assistants: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (8): Samoa 6, USA 2
2024-09-21 – Samoa 18, USA 13 (Osaka)
2019-08-03 – Samoa 10, USA 13 (Suva)
2018-11-10 – USA 30, Samoa 29 (San Sebastián)
2015-07-18 – USA 16, Samoa 21 (San Jose)
2007-09-26 – USA 21, Samoa 25 (Saint-Étienne)
2000-07-15 – USA 12, Samoa 19 (San Francisco)
1999-06-26 – Samoa 27, USA 20 (Apia)
