The USA Eagles have been beaten by English Premiership side Harlequins 24-19 in their final match ahead of next Saturday’s historic Test against the Wallabies in Chicago.

With former Waratah Greg Peterson starting the match at lock, the Eagles led 11-0 midway through the first half following a try to centre Thretton Palamo.

Harlequins hit back with tries to Karl Dickinson and Luke Wallace to take a 14-11 lead to half time, but the Eagles levelled the scores with a penalty in the 60th minute.

The visitors crossed again on the back of a driving maul to take a 24-14 lead late in the match, before a consolation try to Zach Test brought the final score to 24-19.

“We dominated the first 20 minutes then we took our foot off the gas,” Test said after the match.

“That’s just our development: putting our foot on the pedal for 80 minutes – not one minute off.”

“Scoring that try really isn’t anything for me; it was a great effort by the boys,” Test said.

“We took the ball all the way from our 22 to score in the corner. It’s just a great effort that shows we’re going to put the full 80 minutes in. It sucks that we lost, but we’re always moving forward and it’s all about that first game against Samoa in the World Cup.”

USA play the Wallabies in Chicago on Sunday morning (AEST).

Harlequins 24 (Tries: Dickson, Wallace (2). Conversions: Evans (2), Botica. Penalties: Botica)

USA Eagles 19 (Tries: Palamo, Test.Penalties: MacGinty (2), Niua)