The USA defied their inexperience and hostile surroundings to upset France twice and win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 15s version of the game.

Coached by 1908 Wallaby Olympic champion Daniel Carroll, the 1920 vintage, consisting entirely of Californian students, defeated France 8-0 in Antwerp in the one and only match played at the Olympics Games.

Seven of the 1920 Olympians retained their places for the next edition of the Games in Paris, among them Joseph Hunter, the solitary try-scorer from the previous final. After a 37-0 win against Romania in their first game, the USA went into the final against France as overwhelming underdogs. 

However, the Americans surprised the hosts – and the majority of the partisan 40,000 plus crowd – with their vigorous tackling and the creativity of their game, scoring five tries to win 17-3.