It was billed as the Cold War match but it was the USA firing all the shots, though only a few found their target. The USA's backs, led by outstanding fullback Chris Wyles, were all angles and deft touches, while the Russians just managed to cling on without being able to find a way through.
One thing the Russians don't lack is courage and they never stopped making life difficult for the Americans who were relieved to hear the final whistle despite dominating territory and possession.
USA's centre partners Andrew Suniula and Paul Emerick were incisive, with Harare-born right wing Takudzwa Ngwenya comfortably the fastest man on the field but they had to settle for only one try in the match.
That went to halfback Mike Petri, who stretched out for a first-half score, following on the inside after a good bust by Emerick.
Petri's first significant act of the match - having an attempted clearance charged down - wasn't as successful, the resulting Russian pressure paying off with a penalty through Yury Kushnarev.
But the Americans came straight back and dominated the rest of the half, with loose forwards Todd Clever, Nic Johnson and Louis Stanfill impressive and backed up well by prop Mike MacDonald.
It seemed that the floodgates, like the sky, would open in the second half but try as they might the Americans couldn't find another way through the great red wall.
Myles had the chance to extend his side's lead but missed with a penalty and dropped goal attempt and a fine break by Andrew Suniula came to nothing.
Russia left wing Vasily Artemyev was his side's most dangerous player with the ball. His angled run set up Russia's best try-scoring chance of the match, but Kushnarev's kick to the corner was just too far for fullback Igor Klyuchinikov.
With Kushnarev losing his radar, centre Konstantin Rachkov took over and he kicked the Russians to within striking distance with the minutes ticking down.
A shoulder charge by USA captain Clever with two minutes to go opened the door for Russia but they couldn't find the breakthrough, although they take a bonus point from the match.
With Australia, Ireland and Italy alongside them in Pool C, Russia are unlikely to get a victory, their next best goal might be to finish with more points than neighbours Georgia, who earned a bonus point when pushing Scotland close in Invercargill.
Highlanders wing James Paterson, a Kiwi who went to school in the USA, didn't last the first half after sustaining a shoulder injury.
Score: USA 13 (Mike Petri try; Chris Wyles 2 pens, con.) Russia 6 (Yury Kushnarev, Konstantin Rachkov, pens) HT: 10-3