The United States assured themselves of qualification for next year's World Cup finals and with it a place in Ireland's group as the third seeds from the Americas' qualifying stages with a hard-earned 21-16 win over Uruguay in Buenos Aires yesterday.

Both teams had gone into the winner-take-all tie on the back of defeats to Argentina and Canada. The USA, whose assistant coach is former Connacht and Blackrock coach and current Buccaneers coach Eddie O'Sullivan, were without their inspirational captain Dan Lyle and three first-choice centres.

Uruguay played a very defensive, mauling game until the final quarter, which stifled the Americans. A relieved winning coach Jack Clarke said: "America can be proud of its players. We were never behind and I couldn't have asked for more from my players."

The USA's most pressing problems are at both loose-head and tight-head, and also at half-back, but at least they now have a year to get things right.

Argentina qualified in first place after defeating Canada 54-28 in Buenos Aires on Saturday, so earning a favourable place in the finals. The Argentinians will play in the Welsh group, whereas Canada must head off to France.

Argentina posted their third straight victory over Canada in pan-American tournaments, after victories in Buenos Aires in 1995 and Toronto last year.

Rees marked 21 goals from seven penalties in a lackluster match before 7,000 fans.

They will play Wales in the opening match on October 1 next year.

Also included in group D will be Fiji or Tonga and Japan or Hong Kong.

Uruguay, which lost 55-0 to Argentina last week, have the chance to qualify for the finals in a play-off with the third-placed of a group formed by Scotland, Spain and Portugal.