USA XV edge Argentina XV 25-24 in Fort Lauderdale thriller with RWC 2027 on the horizon

The USA XV held off a determined Argentina XV 25-24 at Inter Miami FC Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, completing a fourth straight win that will sharpen confidence ahead of Rugby World Cup 2027.

Coach Scott Lawrence named an Eagles-heavy lineup for the friendly, bringing fly-half Luke Carty into the starting side after three appearances off the bench during a perfect World Rugby Nations Cup campaign. Carty announced himself early, slotting a fourth-minute penalty to put the USA 3-0 ahead.

Argentina responded almost immediately when front-rower Martin Vaca peeled off a maul and beat a Ruben de Haas tackle to score near the right sideline, though No.10 Ignacio Dogliani hooked the conversion wide. The match settled into a tense, attritional battle before hooker Shilo Klein — another Nations Cup bench player handed a start — crashed over from a dominant USA rolling maul five metres out. Carty could not convert, leaving the margin tight.

Argentina flyer Bautista Lescano then broke downfield to set up scrum-half Nicolas Viola, whose try edged the visitors back in front. The USA reclaimed the lead when front-rowers Payton Telea-Ilalio and Charlie Abel combined with quick hands to release fullback Julian Roberts, who shifted the ball right to put No.8 Makeen Alikhan over in open space. Carty’s conversion made it 22-17 to the hosts.

The momentum swung again moments later when Alikhan was shown a yellow card for a ruck infringement. Argentina capitalised through a Franco Rossetto try, and Dogliani’s conversion sent the visitors into half-time leading 24-22.

Argentina dominated the early exchanges of the second half, winning a scrum battle and controlling possession and territory, yet could not extend their advantage. The USA gradually clawed their way back into the contest and eventually secured the winning points to seal a one-point victory — their fourth in as many outings.

The result caps a productive assembly period for Lawrence’s squad, who gathered at the IMG Academy two weeks ago specifically to test themselves against high-level opposition. With Rugby World Cup 2027 now 14 months away, the combination of a clean Nations Cup record and a gritty friendly win over Argentina XV gives the Eagles a meaningful platform to build from.