USA Women’s Eagles Power Through to Win Against Samoa in Opening WXV 2 Match

The USA Women’s Eagles took a 36-26 win over Samoa in their first match of the inaugural WXV 2 tournament.

Playing quick to the ball and finding a spark on offense, the USA will look to fine tune a few moments on set pieces before the next round against Scotland. Doing well to keep pressure, the USA were 10-1 on penalties in the first half against Samoa, earning quality possession and control throughout.  

In her 15s debut, Autumata Hingano scored her first international try and executed some massive game-winning plays against Manusina Samoa. The USA Sevens resident sat out the Wales warmup game to recover from injury but made a fierce comeback on Saturday to earn Player of the Match. 

Interim Head Coach Milton Haig on the team’s first WXV 2 match: 

"I'm pretty pleased with the result. We played really well in the first 20 minutes of the second half, we scored some pretty good tries. We did what we were training. Everything we planned this week was implemented in that first 20 minutes of the second half. We were attacking into the wind, so it made our passing and catching skills little easier when you run into the wind. But you also have to execute and see the space, and I think we did that really well.

We lost our way a little bit in the last 20 minutes of the second half, and maybe that’s lack of concentration with the fact that we had a 36-14 lead, maybe we got a bit too complacent. Again, I think there are a lot of things for us to work on but ultimately when you win a test match everyone can be pleased with themselves. Still, I think we all agree within the camp here that we still have some work to do."

Heading into Saturday, the Eagles knew they would have to play hard and fast against a big and physical team. Being the first time the USA and Samoa met on the playing field, both sides had to adapt to the opponent’s playing style. Nerves were high at the start, and a shaky USA side forced some handling errors that gave Samoa the first scoring opportunity. 

Looking to strike back and strike quickly, the USA tried to evade tackles on attack while playing dangerously in the breakdown to take back possession. A scrappy Samoa side conceded 10 penalties in the first half, giving the Eagles ample opportunity to try and get points off set pieces. The work paid off when Lotte Clapp dove over the try line in the corner to put the USA on the map, notably off quick ball play and getting out of the breakdown to find Clapp in the corner. 

A dangerous tackle by the Manusina soon after sent their hooker off with a yellow. At an advantage, the Eagles were intent on running the ball as much as possible to widen Samoa’s defenses and get space on the wing. Looking to get out of their own territory, a cross kick to Tess Feury gave her the chance to chip it further down field. Samoa nabbed possession but not for long, and a few USA phases found Autumata Hingano over the line for her first international 15s try. 

Samoa kept up the big tackles, conceding penalty after penalty, but the physicality and forceful play put the pressure on the Eagles and forced a few handling errors. Following another score by Manusina that left the Eagles scrambling in defense, the USA found themselves on attack. Working through phases and parsing out Samoa defense, Hingano busted it wide open and ran down the field, offloading to Hallie Tauffou who finished the play with a try to end the first half. 

The final play of the first half instilled crucial confidence in the USA which was evident from the start of the second half whistle. Kicking off the game, Tess Feury got the ball back and ran it all the way to the try line within seconds. Feury’s attack out of the backfield was on display this afternoon, going to the boot for space a few times as well. The USA remained dominant and Hingano shone again, making a big run past Samoa and offloading to captain Kate Zackary for another score. This time it was Samoa who was shaken, making similar handling errors for the USA to capitalize on. 

Rachel Johnson would get the USA’s final try off a scrum at the 57th minute, at which point dehydration and fatigue set in, sending several USA players off the field. The fresh feet from the Eagles’ replacements kept the squad up with Samoa’s physical attack and defense, but the Manusina found their way to the try zone two more times before the final whistle. 

While the score line will read closer than the USA would have wanted, big confident moments and power plays by key Eagles will help the squad as they head to their second WXV 2 match next weekend. USA v Scotland kicks off Friday, October 20, at 8am ET, live on RugbyPass TV.

Head Coach | Milton Haig

Assistant Coach | John Haggart

Assistant Coach | Melodie Bosman

Coach Intern | Karameli Faaee

Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten

Strength & Conditioning Assistant | Owethu Durban

Analyst | Caitlin Singletary

Doctor | Derek Hatfield

Lead Physio | Katherine Henry

Physio | McKenna Medders

Team Manager | Tiffany Lopez

Team Liason | Jongi Nokwe

All matches live on RugbyPass

Saturday, Oct. 14

v. Samoa | 36-26 (W)

Friday, Oct. 20

v. Scotland | 8 a.m. ET

Saturday, Oct. 28

v. Italy | 11 a.m. ET