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Former World Rugby Player of the Year candidate Joe Taufete returned to the international arena last weekend, coming off the bench USA Eagles vs Japan in Osaka. It was the first appearance of the first rower in the red-white-blue jersey of the Eagles in more than 1,130 days.
Taufete’e has been shortlisted for the most prestigious individual award in men’s under-15 rugby after 2019. Rugby World Cup in Japan. The prostitute made four appearances for the Eagles in the tournament and was awarded a piece of unprecedented rugby history.
New Zealand, South Africa, England, France and Ireland they have dominated the list of award winners dating back to Keith Wood in 2001. But no Eagle from the USA, or any other rugby nation, has ever been in the mix for the Men’s 15s POTY.
Pieter-Steph du Toit eventually claimed the award after helping the Springboks win the Rugby World Cup. Tom Curry, Ardie Savea, Cheslin Kolbe, Alun Wyn Jones and Taufete’e were the other players up for recognition.
Taufete’e would go on to play more Test matches for the Eagles, including an appearance off the bench against Romania 2023 But that was, for a while at least, the 33-year-old’s last Test appearance, before he came off the bench in the 63-14 defeat by Japan.
“It’s tough to play against Japan, the first test match back. Just the way they play,” Taufete’e said RugbyPass in Osaka.
“The speed of the ball is so intense.
“It’s been a long time,” he added.
“Being in this environment, there are new faces in the team, new guys, new combinations so I feel like a completely new team.”
Taufete’e came on as a second-half substitute for Shiloh Klein, who had one of the USA’s two tries in the loss. Klein crashed over for much-needed points, ending Japan’s run of 28 unanswered points.
The Brave Blossoms actually took a 28-0 lead after just 16 minutes, before the away side began to fight back. Tavite Lopeti also got on the scoresheet for the Eagles, but the second half was a one-way affair.
US coach Scott Lawrence spoke after the game of the “character” and “guts” the Eagles showed especially during the opening 40, but the result also highlighted some clear actions as they prepare for this weekend’s crucial clash.
The U.S. won 64 percent of its lineups in tough conditions and dropped 23 games against a speedy Japanese team. Now they’re focusing on the playoffs for third place, and they’re taking over Canada in the second weekend of the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026
“Just starting today, we have to work on our details,” Taufete’e mused.
“We talk about our offense in the line (but) Japan was very good in their defense. They read us very well and I think we can be creative in that area.”