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Chris Hilsenbeck kicked another match-winner at the Rugby World Cup, converting in the 77th minute as USA Eagles defeated Hong Kong China 28-26 in a thriller between the two men’s sides Rugby World Cup in 2027
Hilsenbeck was the hero the Eagles needed in the inaugural round of the brand new tournament, converting a long-range strike against Portugal. The USA also won Zimbabwe and Spain during the July tests, they still remain unbeaten in the competition.
The USA produced an eventful fourth round, with a dramatic test ending an entertaining start to the second phase of the Cup of Nations. Tonga, Georgia, Samoa, Portugal and Spain also kicked off the November international window with hard-earned wins.
Romania scored 38 points in the first match of the round, but it was still not enough to win against a confident Tongan side. Patrick Pellegrini finished the first half with a game-high 13 points for the Highlanders, while Semisi Paea topped the scoring charts with 13 points.
Marius Simionscu helped Romania get off to a dream start, with the full-back scoring the opener in the fifth minute. But Tonga she responded with three tries during the first quarter, with Veikoso Poloniati, Taniela Filimone and John Tapueluelu making their mark.
Tonga raced out to a 12-point lead, but Romania were still well and truly in contention, even making it one score before the break. Lulian Hartig and Tudor Butnariu each kicked a late try, before Pellegrini’s penalty made it 22-17.
Both teams scored three tries each in the second period, and substitute substitute Gheorge Gajion completed the double in the 78th.th minutes. Only five points separated the teams, but Tonga held on for the final score on the road.
Canada won third place at the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup in Japan, with the only loss Nations Championship outfit Fiji. But the Canadians couldn’t build on that with a win in their first game, falling to the regular season World Cup Georgia 59-14.
Georgia fly-half Luka Matkava hit six shots on the sticks, while every back except scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze got on the scoresheet. Aka Tabutsadze scored for a double, and Georgia piled up 49 unanswered points.
Ex All black people Shaun Stevenson and Josh Ioane made their debuts for Manu Samoa, who ran away with a dominant 43-7 win against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe remained scoreless until 67th minute, right after Stevenson received a yellow card.
Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong ran in a hat-trick of tries and Miracle Faiilagi also crossed the try line as Samoa ran in 38 without reply. With this result, Samoa returned to the Nations Cup winner’s circle, after losing two July tests against Georgia and Romania.
Portugal led for more than 60 minutes in a 36-15 triumph over Chile, which was actually the first shot by center Matias Garafulic. Raimundo Martinez helped the South American side regain the lead later in the half, before Garafulic’s yellow card proved decisive.
Portugal reduced the deficit to two points with a goal from the penalty by Samuel Marques, and then took the lead with an attempt by David Wallis. After all, it was an advantage that Portugal did not want to surrender Chile made it a two-point game before the break.
But second-half tries from Raffaele Storti (double) and Andrew Cunha saw Os Lobos extend their lead to almost 20 points by half-time. Portugal has a record of 3-1 in the fifth round and Spain has the same record.
Spain were beaten by the United States in July but are now winners again, with substitute Gauthier Mingullion crossing for a late match-winner. They followed Uruguay by one point when Mingullion dropped the ball with five minutes left.
Uruguay had 52 percent of possession in the final 10 minutes, but Spain held on 18-12, setting the stage for next weekend’s clash with Chile. But as things stand, there are only two undefeated teams left in the Cup of Nations, and one of them is the USA Eagles.
Hilsenbeck’s late heroics saw the Eagles improve their record to 4-0 with a +26 point differential. The USA did not win the official test as the back team will now take a lot of confidence into the fifth round match against Romania in July.
The results of the fourth round of the Rugby World Cup of Nations
Hong Kong China 26–28 USA