The USA Eagles ended the longest losing streak in Rugby World Cup history with a thrilling 39-26 defeat of Japan in the battle of the basement teams in Pool B at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
A debut victory – 21-18 over Japan in 1987 – was the Eagles only win until tonight, although they had come within an injury time touchline conversion of causing the upset of this Tournament against Fiji, eventually going down 19-18.
The two sides had been separated by only a point going into the last six minutes, Japan repeatedly reigning in the Eagles until tries by Riaan van Zyl and Kirk Khasigian wrapped up victory and a bonus point.
Japan had emerged for the second half in blue jerseys, having abandoned their traditional red and white striped jerseys because they were reportedly having difficulties distinguishing it from the predominantly red Eagles shirt.
The ploy appeared to work with the Cherry Blossoms coming out firing in the second half with three penalties by Toru Kurihara bringing Japan to within a point – 20-19 – by the 53rd minute of the game.
Two errors then resulted in a try for each side, a Japanese knock on giving the Eagles a scrum from which flanker Kort Schubert scored in the 55th minute with fly half Mike Hercus converting his side’s third try.
Two minutes later Japan hit back after scrum half Kevin Dalzell threw the ball away and flying wing Daisuke Ohata punished the Eagles to sprint in for his 42nd Test try in the right corner.
Japan fly half Andrew Miller attempted a penalty from just inside his own half in the 67th minute, the kick coming up short with Phillip Eloff breaking out to halfway for the Eagles before being hauled down.
The Eagles had made the perfect start, dominating both possession and territory in the early exchanges and were rewarded with tries by Hercus and Eloff in the opening 11 minutes.
However the Japanese, just as they had done in their previous games, mounted a comeback with Kurihara converting his own try and kicking a penalty to cut the deficit to 14-10.
Hercus though restored the Eagles advantage with two more penalties to give them a 10 point lead at half time in a pulsating battle of the basement teams in Pool B.
The Eagles now head down the coast to face France in Wollongong on Friday night, having achieved their basic goal for Rugby World Cup 2003 of ending that unwanted losing streak.
Japan, who have proved a huge hit with the crowds in Townsville and now Gosford, have finished their campaign and will finish bottom in Pool B without a win to their name.
Japan: 26
Tries: Kurihara, Ohata
Conversions: Kurihara (2)
Penalties: Kurihara (4)
USA: 39
Tries: Hercus, Eloff, Schubert, van Zyl, Khasigian
Conversions: Hercus (4)
Penalties: Hercus (2)