The USA Women’s Eagles wanted to play more open and offensive rugby in match two of the Pacific Four Series, they did just that in a late-night win over Australia from CPKC Stadium in Kansas City.
Tallying five tries for a bonus point, the 33-12 win was just the style of rugby this new generation of Women’s Eagles are hoping to create an identity around. Ball handling was improved from last week and the Eagles just didn’t let off the pedal all match. Good pressure was key to force penalties from Australia, and held them from overall mounting an attack.
As Head Coach Jack Hanratty’s first win with USA Rugby, he and the squad will be happy to with their energetic, physical and disciplined performance ahead of the series finale next week. The USA will face rival Canada, a Rugby World Cup finalist last fall, from Seat Geek Stadium in Chicago, April 24th at 8:30PM ET, live on Paramount+.
Speaking after the win about his initial reactions, Hanratty said he was relieved more than anything, “I’m new to this group, but today in a really long day you get to know the athletes a bit better. We had a game plan, and we improved dramatically from last week. We controlled our controllables, I really have so much respect for how calm everyone was today.”
“It's good seeing players like [Erica] get what I feel they deserve out there. I really enjoy this because these athletes have been here a long time and these moments are ones we need to enjoy, whether it’s 2am or not. Joy is one of our values, and we need to make sure that we live that tonight.”
Captain Erica Jarrell-Searcy said post-match, “I’ve been saying all week that we’ve been looking to finish the sentence that we started at the Rugby World Cup. I think we finished that sentence and started a new chapter on the same night.”
Jarrell-Searcy added on the crowd, “Huge shout out to Kansas City, we said the same last year that this is our favorite venue to play in. We had fans in the crowd chanting 'USA' from warm up, it’s now 12pm and we still hear them. We heard you all game, thank you for showing up in support every year.”
"It's hard to put into words our gratitude towards how America has responded to USA Rugby. They've given us more and more home games, and the fans keep showing that we deserve it. There's just so much gratitude and excitement."
Looking back to the Rugby World Cup in England last fall, the USA and Australia had unfinished business after their pool match resulted in a penultimate tie. That finish led both teams into tonight’s match with an extra will for a win, and statement victory. The USA had the first scoring opportunity, kicking for touch after winning a scrum penalty. Freda Tafuna crossed the try line but was turned around and couldn’t get ball to ground. The Eagles would win another scrum penalty in minute 10, where Hope Rogers did what she does best, crashing the line for an opening try.
The USA were visibly playing intentional and fast, with physical play to move the ball forward through contact. This paid dividends in the possession battle.
Following a yellow card from Australia for a high tackle, the USA were back on the 5-meter lineout, but missed the try zone with a turnover. Needing to get out of their own end, Australia kicked for a clinical 50-22, giving them a 5-meter line out of their own and then capitalizing with the rolling maul, tying the game 7-7.
With the player advantage, the USA were back beyond the 5-meter line for a second time but again turned the ball over while knocking on the door. This was two major end goal turnovers in the first 25min for Australia, but also a fire for the USA who from then on found ways to close out the opportunities.
Back in the redzone, Georgie Perris-Redding cut through the ruck and reached out for a try. TMO would review and confirm the go-ahead points, leading to a 14-7 score at halftime.
Defense remained strong for the USA at the start of the second half, but conceded penalties and gave extra possession early to the Wallaroos. A next phase of clinical passing found Australia on the right wing, finding space for a try and 14-12 score with 30min left to play. Shortly after, Freda Tafuna won the points back following a hard-yards possession from the team. Forward driving and discipline with the ball showed strong on the phase.
Playing Fullback tonight, Alev Kelter was stellar from the boot. Her kick-to-touch set up chances on a few occasions, while a long restart put Australia on their own goal line and USA pressure turned the ball over. Similarly stellar kicking came from rookie Bella Vogel, who was 4/4 in conversions tonight, only her second test match as a 19-year-old flyhalf.
Hope Rogers, in the 65th minute, showed no sign of exhaustion as she again crashed the line for what looked to be a shared grounding with Hann Humphreys, however the play would be called back due to a forward pass that set up the points. No matter, Rogers was back in the same spot two minutes later and again crossed the line, this time for points.
With the match well in hand, Emily Henrich found the try zone for a final try as time expired, resulting in a 33-12 win over the Wallaroos.
The next match for the USA will be the Pacific Four Series finale in Chicago against rival Canada for the annual North America showdown. Kickoff is April 24th at 8:30PM ET, live on Paramount+. Tickets for the final match can be found at usa.rugby/tickets.
| Number | First Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hope Rogers |
| 2 | Kathryn Treder |
| 3 | Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele |
| 4 | Hallie Taufoou |
| 5 | Erica Jarrell-Searcy |
| 6 | Hann Humphreys |
| 7 | Georgie Perris-Redding |
| 8 | Freda Tafuna |
| 9 | Cass Bargell |
| 10 | Bella Vogel |
| 11 | Erica Coulibaly |
| 12 | Katana Howard |
| 13 | Emily Henrich |
| 14 | Bulou Mataitoga |
| 15 | Alev Kelter |
| 16 | Paige Stathopoulos |
| 17 | Reece Woods |
| 18 | Alivia Leatherman |
| 19 | Kapoina Bailey |
| 20 | Tessa Hann |
| 21 | Abigail Paton |
| 22 | Kristin Bitter |
| 23 | Telesi Uhatafe |
Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Tom Clough | Head of Athletic Performance
Anna Unnasch | Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Athletic Trainer
Rachel Sachs-Bourne | Team Physician
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations, 15s
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
April 11 | USA vs. New Zealand (L) 15-48
April 17 | USA vs. Australia (W) 33-12
April 24 | USA vs. Canada
9:30 pm ET - SeatGeek Stadium (Chicago, IL)
