Chevalier's last-gasp tackle and turnover sends USA past Spain at SVNS Bordeaux

Will Chevalier produced the defining moment of a tense pool match at the HSBC SVNS World Championship finale in Bordeaux, hauling down Spain’s Nicholas Nieto a metre short of the try line in the final seconds to preserve a 24-19 USA victory and keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

The game appeared to be slipping away from the Americans before Lucas Lacamp scored a crucial try with two minutes remaining to put the USA five points clear. Spain drove deep into USA territory in the closing stages and were on the verge of levelling when Chevalier intervened, dragging Nieto down just shy of the line before immediately jumping up to secure the turnover. David Still collected the ball and ran the length of the field to put the result beyond doubt, though Spain had the final word through replacement Gabriel Rocaries.

“It’s something we’ve been talking about a lot lately — just once you get to this level, it’s moments in certain situations where it decides the game,” Chevalier said. “I was just fortunate enough to be in a position to make that moment for the team. Absolutely wonderful finish from David Still to cap it off. Just fighting for the boys. If it wasn’t me, I’m sure someone else would’ve done the same thing.”

The result carried extra weight given recent history between the two sides. Spain had beaten the USA 26-21 with a last-gasp try at SVNS Valladolid the previous weekend, with Jaime Manteca and match-winner Angel Bozal prominent in that victory. Spain went on to reach the Cup quarter-finals in Valladolid before losing the fifth-place playoff 22-12 to the All Blacks Sevens, with Jayden Keelan scoring twice for New Zealand.

“Obviously we had them last week as well and I think they scored with no time left to beat us in that one,” Chevalier said. “Just to have the chance to play them again, we’re looking forward to this all week through our prep.”

Chevalier, who was named SVNS 2 Player of the Tournament in Montevideo earlier this year, was central to a USA side that entered the Bordeaux event ranked 11th in the World Championship standings. They are chasing a best-possible finish of seventh, with the top eight securing core status for the 2026/27 SVNS 1 campaign. A Cup knockout berth in Bordeaux would mark the first time the USA have reached that stage across three World Championship events.