Hodges relieved as USA survive fightback

USA skipper Dave Hodges admitted he was a worried man as Japan launched their second-half fightback at Gosford tonight.

The Americans just managed to keep their noses in front after the interval and eventually wrapped up a 39-26 win with late tries from Riaan van Zyl and Kirk Khasigian which ended their record run of 10 successive defeats in World Cup combat.