Warriors hooker Joe Taufete’e will start his fourth straight Rugby World Cup match and win his 27th cap for USA if Sunday’s Pool C finale against Tonga in Hanazono goes ahead.
A final decision on whether the match will be played will be taken on Sunday after the impact of Typhoon Hagibis, which is forecast to hit Japan on Saturday, has been assessed.
Neither USA nor Tonga can progress to the quarter-final but Sunday’s match will determine who finishes bottom of the pool. Both teams are winless after three matches but Tonga gained a losing bonus point against France.
USA Head Coach and former Warriors Director of Rugby has made just three changes from the side beaten by Argentina earlier in the week and is keen to end the tournament with the Eagles’ first World Cup win since 2011.