Argentina had the ball for more than 85 per cent of the last ten minutes at Inter Miami FC Stadium on Saturday night. They still lost.
A USA XV held on to beat an Argentina XV 25-24 in Fort Lauderdale, in 30-degree heat with a humidex reading of 36, and the winning act was a piece of defence rather than attack. With the clock red, centre Tavite Lopeti stripped the ball loose from an Argentine carrier and utility back Julian Roberts kicked it into the stands.
Captain Jason Damm, back in the second row, was honest about how the Americans got themselves into that position in the first place.
"We put ourselves under a bunch of pressure with our discipline. It's something we really wanted to work on and we've still got a ways to go before we get there. Just letting them too easy into our end," Damm said on the RugbyPass TV broadcast.
He was happier with what happened once the pressure arrived.
"But the boys showed a lot of grit to finish this game, like we've been doing. We know when we're under pressure, we can take that pressure and transfer it back."
That claim has some evidence behind it. Most of this group backed up from the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup in July, where the USA won all three matches against sides bound for the 2027 World Cup in Australia — a one-point win over Portugal courtesy of Chris Hilsenbeck, then victories over Zimbabwe and Spain. Saturday made it four narrow wins in a row against serious opposition.
The match itself swung repeatedly. Luke Carty opened with a penalty before Martín Vaca broke off a driving maul to score in the corner. Shilo Klein answered through a maul of his own, then Bautista Lescano broke a tackle and put Nicolás Viola clear. The USA's best moment came from a counter-attack kept alive down the line to Makeen Alikhan out wide — and Alikhan promptly undid it, conceding a quick tap that let Franco Rossetto slice through, and going to the bin for cynical play at the breakdown. Argentina led 17-15 at the break.
Francisco Sluga was yellow-carded early in the second half for a dangerous clearout. Carty punished it, and Marno Redelinghuys burst up the middle just after the hour to stretch the lead to eight. Thiago Sbrocco brought Argentina back within a point on 71 minutes, and Alejo Sugasti's 50-22 set up the finish — until Brandon Harvey stole the lineout and the last attack died on a handling error in the Florida humidity.
Redelinghuys was making his first appearance in USA colours in more than 270 days, having last played at lock in a 26-18 win over Romania in November before missing the Nations Cup on the returning-to-play list. Damm, who has played alongside him in Atlanta, had been unambiguous about the selection beforehand.
"He's a dog. He's a guy that I love playing with," Damm told reporters. "He's a beast. He works really hard. He brings good energy. He's come back off of a little bit of an injury that he was holding on to from the end of the MLR season, come in really fit."
The context matters as much as the scoreline. This was not a capped Test. The Argentina XV is a homeland side rather than the Pumas: of the 28 selected, 25 were 26 or younger, and only flanker and captain Nicolás D'Amorim has ever been capped by Argentina. Every one of them plays in Super Rugby Americas.
The USA were also short. As Alex Goff of Goff Rugby Report noted before kick-off, roughly 40 players who might otherwise have been picked were unavailable, largely because clubs are not obliged to release players outside the international window for a non-Test. Some were injured, some deliberately held back. Seattle's David Coetzer was in camp without being eligible to play, and 20-year-old former U20s captain Spencer Huntley was there to learn rather than feature.
Head coach Scott Lawrence had framed the fixture as a development exercise with real intent when the squad assembled.
"We're grateful to Argentina for partnering with us in a match that is important for the growth of both programs as we build toward Rugby World Cup 2027 and beyond," Lawrence said. "While this is an opportunity for us to continue developing our squad and give players valuable international experience, we approach it with the same professionalism and competitive intent that we bring every time we represent the United States."
"Argentina has earned the respect of the rugby world through its passion, resilience, and consistent excellence. We also have many personal connections with Argentine coaches and players, which makes this occasion even more meaningful. We know the quality they will bring, and we're looking forward to a physical, challenging contest that will help both teams continue to grow."
Both got what they came for. The USA now turn to next month's Pacific Nations Cup meeting with Japan. The Argentina XV open a remodelled Americas Rugby Championship against Paraguay on 29 August.
