The 2025 Match Series officially kicked off from Los Angeles this evening, as the USA Women’s Eagles lost a close contest against Japan in front of a sell-out crowd at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on the campus of UCLA.
It was a back-and-forth affair with the USA carrying momentum in the first half, jumping out to a 21-7 lead, before Japan took control and creeped away with a 33-39 win. The Women’s Eagles will now head for Kansas City for their opening fixture of the Pacific Four Series against Canada on Friday May 2, staged to be a record-breaking match with attendance nearing capacity. Limited tickets still available for USA vs Canada at usa.rugby/tickets
When asked about the match Head Coach Sione Fukofuka said, “What happened is we didn't transition out of our own half. We scored points, but then got caught in our half and gave them opportunities. Obviously a couple of penalties in there, and at the back end of the first half with the yellow card, but we invited them to play and credit to Japan, they took those opportunities.”
Captain Kate Zackary added, “I think for us, it's getting caught in two minds. We've got to get up and go aerial, and that's our policy. It’s also about our speed to transition, it was a bit clunky tonight. We've been drilling it quite well for the last two weeks, so it is frustrating just letting that pressure get to us. It's a big learning moment, that even when the pressure is on, we still have to commit to our gold standards and details.”
It was an exciting night for Kapoina Bailey and Erica Coulibaly, earning their first international caps on Saturday. Coulibaly also earning her first try to give the USA an early 14-7 lead. Bulou Mataitoga followed up very shortly after with a try as the Eagles were moving the ball well in space. Vice Captain McKenzie Hawkins went three for three on conversions in the first half as well. The Japan attack and pressure took over with a few minutes left in the first half, scrambling the USA rhythm and closing the gap to 21-19 with a try in expired time. Going into the sheds, the Japanese had momentum. The second half will be a review focus for the USA this week with defensive structure troubles allowing Japan to play in the driver’s seat.
Some set piece challenges and penalties opened too many opportunities for the opposition, where Japan we comfortably in USA territory for the second 40min. Keia Mae Sagapolu also collected her first international try, which helped to keep the score close, but the USA couldn’t mount an attack late and finished behind Japan, 33-39.
Prop Hope Rogers started in the loose head position from LA, tying legend Jamie Burke for the most test caps by a Women’s Eagle. Most likely to start next week in Kansas City, a special week of celebration awaits Rogers as she looks to break the record with 52 career test match appearances.
| NAME | CLUB | INTL. CAPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 51 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers | 26 |
| 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu | ACT Brumbies | 15 |
| 4. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning / Denver Onyx | 23 |
| 5. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 14 |
| 6. Tahlia Brody | Leicester Tigers / Denver Onyx | 11 |
| 7. Kate Zackary (C) | Ealing Trailfinders | 41 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson (VC) | Exeter Chiefs / Denver Onyx | 33 |
| 9. Olivia Ortiz | Sale Sharks | 22 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins (VC) | Denver Onyx | 21 |
| 11. Erica Coulibaly* | Denver Onyx | 1 |
| 12. Alev Kelter | Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers | 27 |
| 13. Emily Henrich | Leicester Tigers / Boston Banshees | 21 |
| 14. Cheta Emba | Boston Banshees | 13 |
| 15. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers | 22 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Ealing Trailfinders / Boston Banshees | 14 |
| 17. Maya Learned | Denver Onyx | 16 |
| 18. Charli Jacoby | Exeter Chiefs / Queensland Reds | 33 |
| 19. Rachel Ehrecke | Denver Onyx | 19 |
| 20. Kapoina Bailey* | Denver Onyx | 1 |
| 21. Cass Bargell | Boston Banshees | 5 |
| 22. Kristin Bitter | Denver Onyx | 4 |
| 23. Tess Feury | Leicester Tigers / New York Exiles | 31 |
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Mel Bosman
Assistant Coach | Sarah Chobot
Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley
Assistant S&C | Ashley Morataya
Lead Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Performance Psychologist | Scott Goldman
Lead Physiotherapist | Emily Lauer
Physiotherapists | Natalie Frizzell, Alice Grellman
Team Doctors | Rebecca Rodriguez, Abbie Hamilton, Marvin Valencia
Team Manager | Alana Gattinger
High Performance Director | Tamara Sheppard
Media Manager | Jenni Burke
USA v Japan | 33-39 (L)
Wallis Annenberg Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Fri, May 2, 2025 | 8:30pm ET
CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Sat, May 17, 2025 | 2:55am ET
Gio Stadium, Canberra, Australia
Fri, May 23, 2025 | 11:35pm ET
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
