Japan has been a revelation at this RWC with its robust, harrying style of play scaring some of the games biggest powers.
The Cherry Blossoms best game was its opener against Scotland, the Scots scoring a couple of late tries to pull away to a 32-11 victory in the last quarter.
Japan then went on to fight gallantly in losing 51-29 against France and 41-13 to Fiji.
Similarly USA have played above their ranking, their 18-19 loss to Fiji nearly causing the upset of the Tournament.
Form Guide
The USA Eagles have beaten Japan in 11 of their 15 meetings with one draw, a 9-9 result in May 1986. The USA’s only RWC win was against Japan, 21-18, at Ballymore in Brisbane in RWC 1987.
The Eagles won the most recent meeting 69-27 in the Super Powers Cup in San Francisco in June.
In and Out
There are only two changes to the USA side which took the field against Scotland. Lock Gerhard Klerck is in for Alec Parker, who has been ruled out with concussion.
Salesi Sika replaces Kain Cross, the inside centre out with a rib injury.
Japan have made five changes with Shin Hasegawa and Masao Amino coming into the front row.
Yuji Sonoda takes the place of Takashi Tsuji at halfback, George Konis comes in at centre and Toru Kurihara starts outside him in place of Hirotoki Onozawa on the left wing.
Key Players
USA captain and openside flanker Dave Hodges will want a big one in his 50th cap for the Eagles.
Up front Luke Gross, the tallest player in the Tournament, will look to win a lot of ball in the air for Japan.
Well performed fullback Paul Emerick will be a handful for Japan’s defences.
Japan will again look to chief play maker Andrew Miller to provide the attacking spark from fly half.
Work horse locks Adam Parker and Hajime Kiso will provide plenty of grunt from Japan’s engine room.
What They Said
Dave HODGES (USA) – Captain
On winning his 50th cap:
"I'm very proud to have represented my country and to do it for the 50th time is just an amazing experience," the flanker said.
Shogo MUKAI (JPN) - Coach
On Andrew MILLER's selection:
"I'm betting on him, I'm believing in him. He's been desiring to play every game he can."
On the game plan:
"Against France we could only lead the game in the first two minutes. We want to lead the game from the first minute to the last minute. We want first points. We want to have an attacking game."
On the game against USA:
"USA have a huge forward pack, there will be a lot of pressure up front. They have a very good kicker, their centres are strong and we will have to tackle them well to win."
On what is needed to win the game:
"We will have to use the same defence as in the first two matches, if we can do this we will be okay. I expect the players to use all our options, we have not used all our options so far. If we can do this there is no reason to be defeated against the USA."
What it means:
Both teams will be vying, alongside Georgia, for the unofficial title of best ‘minnow’ team at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Neither have a chance of qualifying but will be gunning for victory to avoid finishing at the bottom of Pool B.
The match will end Japan’s campaign, while USA finish their Tournament against France on 31 October.
Match details
Japan play USA at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium on 27 October. Kick off is 19:30, local time.
New Zealand’s Steve Walsh will referee the match. The touch judges are Alain Rolland (Ireland) and Iain Ramage (Scotland). The Television match official: is Ireland’s Donal Courtney.