The USA Women’s Eagles enjoyed a much clearer day of weather this afternoon in Auckland on their way to a 16-14 defeat of 6th ranked Australia in the second round of the Pacific Four Series.
A much-improved performance on both sides of the ball from the opener against Canada, the USA were dominant in the territory game, having held play almost exclusively in the Australian end through the first 60 minutes. While there were a few missed opportunities for tries, Player of the Match Hope Rogers would tally a try for the USA with Gabby Cantorna going three for three on penalty kicks. Australia saw a momentum shift in the second half, twice finding their way into the try zone in the last 20 minutes, but the USA were able to hold on and notch their first Pacific Four Series win. Next up comes host nation and number two ranked New Zealand, Saturday June 18 at 12AM ET. Watch that game and the replay of today’s match on World Rugby YouTube.
“Credit to Australia, they really tested both our nerve and skill sets in that final 20 minutes, to see the game out really showed our toughness today. The defensive effort was immense today, it was great win. We will enjoy that one. It’s great to not just get the win, but to also show some key improvements across the areas that didn’t fire from last week. It was a very commanding performance for 55-60 minutes, we created a lot of pressure and suffocated Australia, and we won the physical battle.
‘The neutral would have had a great experience as Australia came back into the game and as well as they played to do this, it was down to us not always getting points from the pressure we created. We will review, add to what we did well and look at how we can improve where we need to with another three sessions together as group. Cohesion is an important factor and knowing we have six more days here in New Zealand and another 38 days for our Rugby World Cup preseason with some test matches shows that we really are at the start of our preparations.
We are immensely proud of the group, their hard work got the reward today. The non selected really set the tone this week and best prepared the team, whilst the team on field showed a real toughness that created the platform for their success today.”
The USA absolutely owned the first half of this game, running out to a 13-0 lead on Australia and dominating the territory battle. Over the first 20 minutes, the ball was in the Australian end for 96% of the game clock as the Eagles offense was able to keep the pressure and do well to link phases. There were a handful of opportunities in the early going as well, with two trips past the 22-meter line, but a turnover at the breakdown and penalty gave the ball over and allowed the Wallaroos to escape their own end. Alev Kelter and Jennine Detiveaux would make an impact finding space and moving the ball into contact, both of them having joined the squad this week. Detiveaux had a great run on the left flank that positioned the Eagles in striking distance with numbers out wide, but a knock on at 10 meters out gave the ball over. First points came off the boot of Cantorna, after a brilliant steal from Rogers at midfield, igniting a great run from Kelter and set up for the penalty kick at the 27th minute. A few moments later, Australia’s Emily Chancellor was given a yellow card for collapsing the maul near the try line, giving the USA a player advantage and an open door for Rogers to charge hard into contact and score the try. Continuing to pressure on offense and win the possession battle, the USA once again earned a penalty at the Australian 22-meter line and elected for an expired time penalty kick. Cantorna would slot this one as well, taking us to break with a 13-0 lead.
The wind seemed to pick up in the second half, affecting the kicking game a bit but the weather was much superior to the rain-soaked match against Canada. Keeping with the posts strategy, Kelter stepped in for another penalty kick attempt at 55 minutes, but missed left in the heavy wind. Australia would reel in the ball in their own end zone, but it was Kelter who got right in there to block the kick out and give the USA a chance at the line. The Eagles would earn another penalty and go back to Cantorna for the dead-center kick, 16-0 lead to the USA.
Momentum started to swing with 20 minutes left in the game as Australia did find themselves in the USA end more during the second half. Having brought the ball to the try line, Georgie Fredrichs dove into the pay dirt on what seemed to be a forward pass, however TMO would review and the try was confirmed. Making the tough conversion from the left angle, Australia cut their deficit, 16-7. Head Coach Rob Cain began bringing in substitutions to counter the energy. Building off the momentum, Australia started to get more physical and find their way back into the USA end, a driving maul would result in a try as they creep closer 16-14 with just under 10 minutes to play. Nearing the end of the match, both teams went to the kicking game where an Australian counter went over Bulou Mataitoga’s head, forcing her to chase it backwards and rush the clearing kick, which went into touch. Australia now found themselves with a line out and ball within striking distance, but the USA were able to force the turnover. At this stage the Eagles had a win in hand, they just needed to keep composure through the final few minutes and ensure no penalties were committed as Australia were eager for an opportunity to kick for posts only trailing by two points. They would do just that and reach the final whistle victorious.
Captain Kate Zackary noted after the match, “Honestly it’s just super good to be back with the team after missing the first game against Canada, but I’m so proud of what we’re working on and building towards that World Cup final. It’s one game at a time and I couldn’t be more proud right now.”
By the end of the match, the USA can be very proud of their possession and territory battle, along with staunch defense that kept the Australian attack from formulating early. Australia nearly doubled the USA in penalties, which given the perfect day for Cantorna from the boot, was a major difference maker. Hope Rogers would earn Player of the Match honors as the USA legend marched out for her 34th test match, passing Hall of Famer Phaidra Knight for 5th most Women’s Eagles caps all time.
Venue: The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, New Zealand Broadcast: World Rugby YouTube
| Name | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 34 |
| 2. Joanna Kitlinski | Sale Sharks | 17 |
| 3. Nick James | Sale Sharks | 18 |
| 4. Jordan Matyas | USA Sevens | 20 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 5 |
| 6. Elizabeth Cairns | Life West Gladiatrix | 17 |
| 7. Rachel Johnson | Exeter Chiefs | 11 |
| 8. Kate Zackary (C) | Exeter Chiefs | 20 |
| 9. Bridget Kahele | Beantown RFC | 2 |
| 10. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 11 |
| 11. Jennine Detiveaux | Exeter Chiefs | 9 |
| 12. Katana Howard | Sale Sharks | 9 |
| 13. Alev Kelter | Saracens | 16 |
| 14. Charlotte “Lotte” Clapp | Saracens | 1 |
| 15. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 7 |
| 16. Kathryn Treder | Beantown RFC | 4 |
| 17. Maya Learned | Gloucester-Hartpury RFC | 8 |
| 18. Charli Jacoby | Loughborough Lightning | 11 |
| 19. Kristine Sommer | Gloucester-Hartpury RFC | 19 |
| 20. Kathryn Johnson | Twin Cities Amazons | 5 |
| 21. Carly Waters | Saracens | 9 |
| 22. Megan Foster | Exeter Chiefs | 9 |
| 23. Tess Feury | New York Rugby Club | 9 |
Head Coach | Rob Cain
Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley
Head of Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Head Athletic Trainer | Hilary Stepansky
Assistant Athletic Trainer | Janie Kluempers
Lead Analyst | Callum Howells
Team Manager | Annemarie Farrell
Liaison Officer | Steve Downie
Sunday, June 5
vs Canada | (L) 5-36
The Domain, Tauranga, New Zealand
vs Australia (W) 16-14
The Trusts Arena, Waitakere, New Zealand
vs New Zealand
Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, New Zealand
Broadcast: World Rugby YouTube and Pacific Four Series Web Page
