For the first time in two years, the USA Women’s XVs National Team returned to test match rugby. In Game #1 of the Pacific Four Regional Series, the United States fell to Canada 9-15 in what was a hard fought battle from whistle to whistle.
Penalties ruled much of the game as both teams played through jitters in the first half. Canada put two tries on the board while the Women’s Eagles took every opportunity to earn points in Megan Foster’s three penalty goals.
The matchup drew 80-minutes of physicality as the USA and Canada struggled to minimize basic mistakes and handling errors that kept the ball bouncing from side to side. When fresh legs came on late in the second half, the United States found itself at the opposition's doorstep, bullying their way closer to the try zone with every inch. Only five-minutes to go, the USA had it's match-winner right over the line until Canada’s defense held it up and a series of set pieces mixed with more penalties to give the opposition an easy kick to touch at fulltime.
Head Coach Rob Cain was proud of his side’s effort, noting the disappointment at the end with optimism for what lies ahead on Friday.
“I’m just really proud of the group. It’s been a long time since the USA has conceded [only] two tries and that was a big thing for us. We want to try and make defense a big part of our game. I’m a little bit disappointed in the last 10-minutes in terms of our decision-making, the game was there to be won but as we said, welcome back to test match rugby.”
The Women’s Eagles will play Canada again on Friday in the finale of the Pacific Four Regional Series. Fans can stream the game LIVE on World Rugby's website, Facebook and YouTube channels. Tickets are available at usarug.by/PACFOUR.
After Canada, the squad will head to Europe for matches against Ireland on November 12 and England on November 21.
All in all, the program has been starved of formal, international competition for the past two years due to the impacts of COVID-19. Losses are undeniably disappointing at any stage in sport, but the opportunity to compete, learn and adapt remains a staple of the Eagles’ DNA and a necessity to improve over the next few weeks.
Rugby World Cup New Zealand lies in the distance with less than one year to go. After last year’s postponement and tonight’s return to test match rugby, the program has finally hit a meaningful runway to prepare as the spotlight of the World Stage brightens around international Women’s XVs.
Penalty Goals
Megan Foster (3)
USA Women's XVs Match-Day Roster
1. Hope Rogers
2. Joanna Kitlinski
3. Charli Jacoby
4. Jenny Kronish (Debut)
5. Alycia Washington
6. Rachel Ehrecke (Debut)
7. Rachel Johnson
8. Kate Zackary (C)
9. Carly Waters
10. Megan Foster
11. Sarah Levy
12. Gabby Cantorna
13. Alev Kelter
14. Tess Feury
15. McKenzie Hawkins
16. Saher Hamdan (Debut)
17. Maya Learned
18. Nick James
19. Kristine Sommer
20. Elizabeth Cairns
21. Olivia Ortiz
22. Joanne Fa'avesi
23. Ilona Maher (Debut)
USA Women’s XVs Traveling Staff (Glendale)
Head Coach | Rob Cain
Team Manager | Lou Stewart
Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke
Assistant Coach | Rich Ashfield
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley
Analyst | Callum Howells
Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Head of Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Strength and Conditioning | Albert Sasu
Lead Athletic Trainer | Hillary Stepansky
Athletic Trainer | Amie Kern
Athletic Trainer | Jade Callan
USA Women’s XVs Autumn Internationals
All times local.
Monday, November 1 | 9-15 (L)
vs Canada
Glendale, CO
Broadcast: World Rugby Facebook + YouTube
Friday, November 5 | 6 PM
vs Canada
Glendale, CO
Broadcast: World Rugby Facebook + YouTube
Friday, November 12 | 7:15 PM
vs Ireland
Dublin, IRE
Broadcast: FloRugby
Sunday, November 21 | 2:45 PM
vs England
Worcester, UK
Broadcast: FloRugby
