DENVER (AP) — The United States will play at the 2027 Rugby World Cup after beating Samoa 29-13 on Sunday to take fifth place in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Flyhalf Luke Carty came off the bench to score a try and create another for winger Toby Fricker, and captain Jason Damm and hooker Kaleb Geiger scored late tries to clinch the 19th-ranked United States' win over 14th-ranked Samoa.

The United States failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup in France but now is guaranteed to play at the next two editions — in Australia in 2027 and as host in the United States in 2031.

With Fiji and Japan already qualified, there were three spots available to other teams in the Pacific tournament to qualify for the World Cup. Tonga and Canada took two of those places, leaving the U.S. and Samoa to play

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