Paul Emerick gets his pass away (Getty Images).

By Simon Stone, PA Sport, Gosford

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

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.

"I was a little bit worried in the second half because I felt the game was getting away from us," said Hodges, who was winning his 50th cap.

"Our aim was to run straight and hard throughout the full 80 minutes and when we managed to do that, it paid off.

"Thankfully we were able to establish ourselves in the game in the latter stages and got the win.

"It is a great feeling, not because of my 50th cap, but because we have finally managed to win another World Cup game."

Mike Hercus and Phillip Eloff both raced home inside 11 minutes as the USA threatened to run riot early on, but, inspired by winger Toru Kurihara and the fevered support of an enthusiastic crowd, the Cherry Blossoms had closed to within a single point until the USA dragged one last effort from their legs to seal victory.