( CNN ) -- The United States ' hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time were dashed in New Zealand on Tuesday , after a 27-10 defeat to Italy . The bonus-point win was crucial for Italy 's bid to qualify for the last eight , with the Azzurri now facing a winner-takes-all clash with Pool C leaders Ireland in Dunedin on Sunday . Two-time world champions Australia can go top of the table with victory over winless tournament debutants Russia on Saturday . `` We are happy because we took the five points , '' captain Sergio Parisse , who is hoping to lead Italy into the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time , told the tournament 's official website . `` It was the important thing for us . We scored four tries , so that 's important . Now we 're looking forward to our last match against Ireland with a lot of confidence . It was a difficult match for us and now we 're ready to take the maximum against the Irish . '' Italy , under the guidance of former South Africa coach Nick Mallett , flew out of the blocks in Nelson as Parisse scored the game 's first try after just two minutes . But the U.S. responded through fullback Chris Wyles , who converted his own try to level at 7-7 . The fightback stung Italy into action , and tries from flyhalf Luciano Orquera and prop Martin Castrogiovanni ensured a 20-10 halftime scoreline . The vital fourth score came as Italy 's powerful scrum earned a penalty try for the second time this tournament , which back-row forward Mauro Bergamasco converted . `` We are good in the tight play , so why should n't we be able to use it ? '' prop Andrea Lo Cicero said . `` Why should n't we be able to profit from it ? Why should others profit from being weak in the scrum ? '' In Tuesday 's other match , Japan and Canada played out a 23-23 draw in Napier -- only the third in the World Cup 's 24-year history . Japan 's Brave Blossoms looked set to record their first victory at the four-yearly tournament since overcoming Zimbabwe in 1991 , but , despite leading from the 24th minute to the 79th , were denied by a late penalty from Canada flyhalf Ander Monro . The draw eliminated Japan , while Canada will need to record a shock bonus-point win over hosts New Zealand on Sunday and hope second-placed France fail to pick up a point against Tonga in order to advance . Canada 's South Africa-born center DTH van der Merwe scored the contest 's first try after five minutes , before Japan responded with tries from hooker Shota Horie and wing Kosuke Endo and a penalty from New Zealand-born James Arlidge to claim a 17-7 halftime lead . Wing Phil Mackenzie scored a superb solo try to bring Canada back into the contest three minutes after the restart , before Arlidge looked to have made the match safe for Japan with two more penalties . But Monro saved the day for Canada by crossing Japan 's line for a 75th-minute try before kicking a last-minute penalty .
U.S. eliminated from the Rugby World Cup after Tuesday 's defeat to Italy . The Eagles lose 27-10 in their fourth and final Pool C match , having won once . Italy now need a bonus-point win over Ireland to reach the last eight . Japan and Canada share only the third draw in the World Cup 's 24-year history .