Damm pinpoints attacking failures as USA Eagles survive Hong Kong China scare to stay unbeaten

The USA Eagles remained unbeaten in the World Rugby Nations Cup with a nervy 28-26 victory over Hong Kong China, but captain Jason Damm was quick to flag the attacking inefficiency that nearly cost them the result.

Fly-half Chris Hilsenbeck proved the difference once again, slotting a clutch long-range penalty late in the match — the second time in this Nations Cup campaign he has kicked a match-winner. Replacement hooker Kaleb Geiger had levelled the scores with a try inside the final four minutes before Hilsenbeck added the conversion to set up the decisive kick.

The Eagles only led for 28 minutes across the full 80, yet dominated possession and territory in the closing stages as they hunted the winning points. Despite holding more than 60 per cent of both possession and territory overall, Damm was candid about where the team left points behind.

“We gave them some opportunities there, we didn’t execute on our own. I think we had eight 22 entries in the first half and we came away with only 14 points. We’ve got to be better in that area,” Damm said after the match.

The captain was equally keen to credit the collective resolve that ultimately secured the win. “It’s just the resolve. You look at the end there, continued belief and just leaning on each other, knowing that as 15 we can get it done. No one was trying to shoot out and make the big play on their own. We just sat patient in defence and knew that if we keep whacking them and whacking them and whacking them, eventually we’ll get the ball back.”

The result extends a run that already includes wins over Zimbabwe, Spain, and Portugal — the latter also sealed by a Hilsenbeck long-range penalty in a season-opening thriller. Georgia are the only other side in the competition yet to suffer a defeat, with two further teams having lost just once.

The USA now turn their attention to Romania, who they face in round five at Stadionul Arcul de Triumf on Saturday. Romania carry a 1-2-1 record into the match following a heavy defeat to Tonga — a contest that produced 81 points — and earlier setbacks against Chile and a 36-all draw with Uruguay.

Damm is already looking ahead to the physical challenge Romania will pose. “We got to watch them play the other day and we’ve seen their set-piece strength so we’ve got to put our strength out here tonight and use our set-piece a bit. It’ll be a good match-up against those big forward packs.”