The USA Women’s Eagles reconvened this week in Chula Vista ahead of their first test match in the 2024 Pacific Four Series. Playing on home soil for the first time since 2021, the USA Match Day 23 are prepared to meet Canada in a thrilling North American border battle.
USA v Canada kicks off Sunday, April 28, at 1:30 pm PT at DignityHealth Sports Park in Los Angeles. The match will be live on RugbyPass and Peacock, and tickets are available at usa.rugby/tickets.
Captained by Rachel Johnson, Sunday’s roster is similar to the squad that defeated South Africa in their test match last month. Coming in from USA Sevens residency, Autumn Czaplicki starts on the left wing, while Atumata Hingano is named to the bench. Johnson takes over captain duties this week as Kate Zackary recovers from an injury sustained last month, with the hopes of returning during the Pacific Four Series. Tess Feury and Georgie Perris-Redding are vice captains.
The last USA win over Canada was during the 2019 Super Series in Chula Vista. With Head Coach Sione Fukofuka implementing positive changes with a key focus on set piece accuracy and decision making, the team is ready to build off their win over South Africa and kick off the Pacific Four Series with a statement.
“A key component to our selection this week was continuity and confidence from the platform we established in Ealing against South Africa. Our theme of the week is chasing the challenge, and we know very well the quality of the Canadian team and the increase in pressure we will face. We have worked hard as a squad to put each other under pressure and really get comfortable with being uncomfortable and playing in that zone. Our selections are a reflection of the work the players have done and the balance of the 23 to allow us to play the game we want to play, physical, and direct but with skill and excitement.
The week in Chula Vista has been great. Being back on home soil and connecting our playing group has been positive, in addition to adding a few new faces to the mix. Our sessions have been competitive and allowed us to keep developing our overall game. The facilities at the training center have been excellent and allowed us to prepare well. We are working hard on our set piece and physicality as we know they will be contest points, as well as reinforcing aspects of our attack and defensive systems to allow us to transfer pressure on to Canada. Playing in front of our home fans, family, and friends is an added bonus and we want to do them and the jersey proud.”
"We're super excited for the start of the Pacific Four Series, it's extra special that the start gets to be on home soil in LA. We're excited to see our friends, family, and fans.
We are building from our last campaign against South Africa. We brought in a few new folks, so we have a big focus on our alignment and continuing to build clarity and confidence into our new attacking shape. I'm super excited for some of the new folks that have come in. I'm excited to see Autumn have a go and get the start there, and I'm looking forward to see what she can bring over from sevens as we continue to build a holistic USA Rugby Women's Program.
Being temporary captain this week is such a privilege and an honor. I love this team and respect every individual, whether they are in the 23 or the greater squad. I'm really excited to serve them on Sunday."
| Name | Club | Test Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 44 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | Loughborough Lightning | 17 |
| 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu | Leicester Tigers | 7 |
| 4. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 6 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 14 |
| 6. Tahlia Brody | Leicester Tigers | 8 |
| 7. Georgie Perris-Redding (VC) | Sale Sharks | 11 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson (C) | Exeter Chiefs | 26 |
| 9. Olivia Ortiz | Exeter Chiefs | 17 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins | Colorado Gray Wolves | 13 |
| 11. Autumn Czaplicki | USA Sevens | 3 |
| 12. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 25 |
| 13. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 14 |
| 14. Emily Henrich | Unattached | 13 |
| 15. Tess Feury (VC) | Leicester Tigers | 23 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Beantown RFC | 5 |
| 17. Catie Benson | Sale Sharks | 41 |
| 18. Charli Jacoby | Queensland Reds | 25 |
| 19. Jenny Kronish | Beantown RFC | 13 |
| 20. Rachel Ehrecke | Colorado Gray Wolves | 11 |
| 21. Cassidy Bargell | Beantown RFC | 1 |
| 22. Katana Howard | Sale Sharks | 18 |
| 23. Atumata Hingano | USA Sevens | 2 |
*Alivia Leatherman and Eti Haungatau are on injured reserve.
Head of Women’s High Performance | Brandon Sparks
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Ray Barkwill
Assistant Coach | Melodie Bosman
Head of Physical Performance | Sylvia Braaten
Lead Analysis | Caitlin Singletary
Operations Assistant | Lindsay Wilson
Team Doctor | Dr. Rebecca Rodriguez
Athletic Trainer | Emily Lauer
Physiotherapist | Cerys Preston
Physical Performance Intern | Talia Carrasquillo
Media Manager | Taylor Dean
USA v South Africa
38-17 (W)
TRIES | G. Perris-Redding (3), K. Treder, E. Henrich, C. Clapp CONV | G. Cantorna (4)
2024 Pacific Four Series
USA v Canada | April 28 | 1:30pm PT
DignityHealth Sports Park | Los Angeles, CA
USA v New Zealand | May 10
FMG Stadium | Hamilton, New Zealand
USA v Australia | May 17
AAMI PARK | Melbourne, Australia
