New Zealand Dominant in Pacific Four Series Finale Over USA; Women’s Eagles Pull Positives and Look Ahead to the Rugby World Cup

The 2022 Pacific Four Series has come to a close for the USA Women’s Eagles, ending in a tough loss to the New Zealand Black Ferns, where the home team were able to secure their position as tournament champion in the 50-6 win over the United States.

Despite the score line, there was a lot of tenacity from the Eagles in yet another rainy fixture, the Black Ferns were just able to play with clean ball movement and create opportunities in space. Line break momentum proved key in this match, as the Black Ferns broke through regularly and the USA were consistently met by a wall of black jerseys up the middle. Test match rugby against New Zealand is always a tough task, however the USA were able to walk away with positive learnings and playbook additions having played three of the top eight teams in the world in quick succession. Both venue and competition alike, the Pacific Four Series is a near replication of this fall’s Rugby World Cup and this traveling squad now have an invaluable marker to work from over the next few months.

“New Zealand did exactly what we knew they would do, we had to dictate the game through our ability to win collisions and contact areas. Both the conditions and nerves played a part and we will learn from that as it took too much time for us to settle. There wasn’t the same individual ownership that we had and needed from last week, where New Zealand took full advantage. We lost too many collisions, and missed an unacceptable amount of tackles at this level, especially in the first 40 minutes. This allowed New Zealand to not only own the tempo, but also the scoreline. We dominated the ccrum, we did have moments where we built momentum but we were unable to add points to this effort either due to a tactical or skill error in real time on the pitch.

“Going into halftime 29-6, we asked the group to fight and they did just that for large parts of the second half. The final score was very disappointing, especially after all the efforts in the second half. New Zealand showed us they are a good team, their cohesion and skill level through having full time contracts did show through. After last week’s win, which was filled with very promising individual performances against Australia, it is disappointing to finish the series this way.

The past three weeks have highlighted some real strengths to maximize and some areas we must get right as individuals and as a team. Our Rugby World Cup preseason will allow us the time to do both.”

Despite the score line, the first half of this match was even keel in terms of intensity. Both teams marched out into the pouring Whangarei rain with pace and hard charging contact at the breakdown. New Zealand went to the speed game early, wasting no time and out pacing the USA defense with a try from Ayesha Leti-I’iga with only two minutes gone. The Eagles needed to strike back to counter the early push, kicking to the corners for ground and were able to find open space on the right flank, getting themselves beyond the 22 and earning a penalty. Megan Foster, starting at flyhalf for the first time this tournament, would take advantage and slot the kick for three points. Immediately after putting points on the board, the USA were caught off guard at the breakdown where New Zealand had a pick and go with no defense in front of them. Conversion is good as the Black Ferns run out to a 12-3 lead with only seven minutes gone.

Continuing energy, the USA carried back to the New Zealand doorstep, where Kate Zackary and Jordan Matyas drove hard into the try line but weren’t able to walk away with a try as a penalty gave the ball back at the line. The New Zealand attack was contained for the next few phases, as Alev Kelter reeled in a loose ball with no one in front of her, looking to be a sure try, but the penalty advantage brought it back. Still, the USA were pressuring and carrying the ball into opposing territory, allowing Foster to again go to the boot and pick up another three points, putting the Eagles in a manageable 17-6 deficit. Pace then got out of hand with two additional tries from the Black Ferns, including an 80-meter sprint from Renee Holmes as the Black Ferns took advantage of passing miscues. 29-6 in favor of New Zealand to close out the first half and take us to break.

The USA came out aggressive after the break, needing to collect momentum and found their way past the 22 but a turnover proved unable to capitalize. Regardless, the USA won the territory battle for the first 10 minutes out of halftime, just coming up short on opportunities to find the pay dirt and balance the game. New Zealand were just too clean with the ball movement and support that kept possession going forward and exploiting on phases. The second 40-minute period would be all Black Ferns with Leti-I’iga adding another try for a hat trick. New Zealand did commit a hard-hitting high tackle on Kathryn Treder that resulted in a yellow card and player advantage through the short remaining minutes. By the final whistle, New Zealand would seal it, 50-6 and secure their 3-0 record to win the 2022 Pacific Four Series.

Final scores against tough opponents won’t always be the indicators or takeaways for this team as the Pacific Four Series was a valuable temperature check to take into this summer’s preparations for the Rugby World Cup. Captain Kate Zackary said post-match, “It just wasn’t our best performance, we’ll learn and we’ll grow from it. A lot of things to work on but also a lot of positives. I’m really proud of the girls, I think we demolished the scrum and that’s something we’re going to carry on with us in the future.”

“For a team that hasn’t gotten to play a lot in the last two to three years, both internationally and domestically, I couldn’t be more proud right now. We’ve got players who made a lot of hard decisions to go overseas and play rugby, and you’re seeing that come together right now.”

When asked what the focus will be between now and a return to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, Zackary noted, “Just refining some of our basics, continuing to work on some of our moves and just coming together with cohesion.”

The USA Women’s Eagles will now travel home for a short break before reconvening in August for a Rugby World Cup preseason and warmup fixtures ahead of returning to New Zealand in September. The strength of this squad is healthy and focused, two important factors as the group enters a valuable phase of assembly and tactical preparation. Tough losses inspire a greater hunger for success, and this tournament is no exception. Onward we go.

Venue: Semenoff Stadium Whangārei, New Zealand Broadcast: World Rugby YouTube

Head Coach | Rob Cain

Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke

Assistant Coach | Kate Daley

Head Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten

Assistant Strength & Conditioning | Trey Ford

Head Athletic Trainer | Hilary Stepansky

Assistant Athletic Trainer | Janie Kluempers

Lead Analyst | Callum Howells

Team Manager | Annemarie Farrell

Liaison Officer | Steve Downie

vs Canada | (L) 5-36

The Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand

vs Australia | (W) 16-14

The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, New Zealand

vs New Zealand | (L) 50-6

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand