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Canada have won USA The Eagles are 19-16 in the all-time classic, finishing third in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026. It was a nail-biter that came down to the wire, but the Canadians did enough to earn a second straight win over their arch-rivals.
The Canadians set the tone early with some physical scoring and up-tempo play, and looked to build on the foundation they laid. The Canadians were rewarded almost immediately for a strong start, with the USA conceding a penalty kick within two minutes.
McMullin also took a penalty shot from long range, landing the ball on the tee about a foot short of the halfway mark. But the full-back’s effort failed, dipping under the crossbar as the early scores remained scoreless.
Canada continued to control the tempo though, as they played with more possession and appeared to be ahead and in the fight for territory. The USA were parked deep inside their own half, but winning a penalty in their own 22 seemed to give them confidence.
The rain was falling harder and harder, as the rival sides on the field looked to cope with the difficult conditions and make their mark. Ben LeSage ended up scoring the first points of the test, and Canada’s most experienced guard opened the game with a bang.
The red-capped inside center broke through the line with a determined carry and some quick feet, beating Julian Roberts and at least one other Eagle on his way to the try line. McMullin added the extras and the team was 24th in the world took a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.
It was similar at least during the first quarter, as Canada took over the momentum of the game on offense. Fly-half Cooper Coats combined with captain Lucas Rumball in a run, before Canada scored their second try in the next phase.
Hooker Foster Dewitt found Mason Flesch in some freedom, but the winger still had plenty of work to do. The try line was only 5-10 meters away, but two covering defenders forced Flesh to dive for the line – staying millimeters from the touchline.
Canada led 12-0 after 17 minutes. Since then, the U.S. has gradually begun to claw its way back into contention and has turned to the former NFL recruit to make some strides. Cassh Maluia, taken in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by Novi England Patriots, they ran hard at the line.
Maluija’s first carry was one to remember, with the inside center breaking up a tackle on a red-zone run. The “eagles” did not leave empty-handed either, and Fakaosifoula Pifeleti crashed for an important score.
McMullin had another opportunity for a point around the 30-minute mark, preparing to shoot at the sticks outside the 40. But the full-back again missed the mark, meaning the one-score game would remain at least a little longer.
Luke Carty converted two shots on the sticks in the waning stages of the half to make it a two point game with half time to go. Carty was on target again at the start of the second half as the Eagles took the lead for the first time.
McMullin converted the game soon after to make it 50/22, seeing Canada set up for a line inside the USA 22. The rain stopped, but then suddenly started to pour again as the Canadians built phase after phase, with the try line within reach,
Scrum-half Jesse Kilgour battled to the green points line around 60 minutes and McMullin converted the try. As the rain began to fall, possibly the heaviest of the entire match, the Canadians took a six-point lead into the final quarter.
Canada had a few field goals and gave away a couple of penalties as the USA continued their quest for a point. But with 11 down and Canada defending practically on their own line, Ethan Fryer won a penalty after a breakdown.
Canada was out of harm’s way, at least then.
The Canadians took another penalty about a minute later, seeing Carty go for a shot against the posts. The number 10 sent the ball between the posts, reducing the team’s deficit to just three points with less than nine behind.
It was a final stanza largely controlled by the USA, at least in terms of possession, with Canada conceding some penalties and making some mistakes. The USA made a run on the final play of the match, but Canada held on.
