Warriors hooker Joe Taufete’e and his United States team-mates missed out on a Rugby World Cup upset as they went down 33-9 to France in their latest Pool C match in Fukuoaka on Wednesday.
Taufete’e won his 25th cap as a starter for the Eagles who won 12 of their 14 lineouts before he was substituted after 65 minutes.
When Taufete’e left the pitch USA were only three points adrift at 12-9 but France pulled clear in the final 15 minutes when they ran in three converted tries and secured a bonus point.
USA are next in action against in action against Argentina in Kumagaya on October 9.