LeSage inspires Canada to back-to-back wins over USA Eagles for first time in 13 years

Canada ended a 13-year drought without back-to-back wins over the USA Eagles, holding on for a tense 19-16 victory in the Pacific Nations Cup third-place playoff at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo.

Veteran centre Ben LeSage, the most experienced back in Canada’s squad and a 70-plus Test cap holder, set the tone with an early individual try after linking with front-rower Foster Dewitt. Mason Flesch added a second score shortly after, and Canada built a commanding lead through the opening quarter before the USA, guided by Luke Carty’s accurate goal-kicking, clawed their way back into the contest.

The match came down to the final play. With the score at 19-16 and time expired, the USA launched one last attack inside Canada’s 22, only for the Canadians to hold firm until the final whistle. The result follows Canada’s 14-point win over the Eagles in Calgary 13 months ago — their first consecutive victories over the USA since 2012.

“Relief was the first thing. We’re on the back foot for the last 10 minutes there and just holding on for dear life,” LeSage told reporters at the stadium. “Just to see that ball go out, and the deep exhale at the final whistle was pretty amazing.”

LeSage acknowledged the significance of winning away from home soil. “Last year, a lot of people look at it as a one-off. It was on home soil… so to do it away from home, neutral ground… it was pretty awesome to do it two years in a row.”

The win nudges Canada up the World Rugby rankings past Belgium and Hong Kong China from 24th, while the USA drop one place to 15th. LeSage was candid about where Canada believe they belong. “We probably feel like we’re maybe better than 24th in the world and we haven’t had the results to prove it,” he said, pointing to autumn fixtures against Romania and Georgia — both ranked above Canada — as the next opportunity to climb further.

Both nations have already secured their places at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia and will face further high-level competition at the World Rugby Nations Cup in November.