Thomas scored two tries /// Photos: INPHO/Brian Keane for World Rugby
The USA defeated Italy 24-12 in the teams’ first match of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland. The four-try outing provided the necessary bonus point, and the output against a Six Nations team supplied some good momentum and confidence heading into round two on Sunday, Aug. 13.
RELATED: Match Stats: USA v Italy • USA’s Pankey: Ireland Update • WRWC2017 Day 1 Results
There were certainly high and low points throughout the match, but the overall bright spot is that some of those areas of need did improve in the second half. The forced passes in contact and ill-placed kicks were not the major issues they were in the first 40 minutes. During post-match, USA captain Tiffany Faaee addressed as much, indicating that the team just needed to get out on a field and playing before it could truly understand what it was working with.
That urgency was certainly felt and the USA pushed a furious pace for the get-go. The scoreboard ticked over two minutes into the match, as quick hands moved the ball down the line, before inside center Sylvia Braaten sent a longer pass to Kristen Thomas. The wing shook out of two tackles and then cut across another two to center the try, which flyhalf Kimber Rozier converted, 7-0.
For the following 15 minutes or so, the USA dominated possession. On the back of good breakdown work, the Eagles were able to build several attacking campaigns into Italy’s 22 meter, but two promising opportunities ended in an intercept and dropped pass that was kicked away. Throughout the first half, the desire to keep a linebreak going saw some ill-advised passes in contact and turnovers. There were indeed long breakaways – most notably from Naya Tapper and Alycia Washington – but both of those cheering moments ended in turnovers.
Near the 20-minute mark, Italy had its best attacking opportunity with a scrum in the USA’s end. A pass out wide hit the ground and Thomas scooped it up. Italy was then penalized, and fullback Cheta Emba sent a booming kick to Italy’s 22 meter. From the lineout, a nice set of phases evolved, with players like Catie Benson, Parsons and Stacey Bridges making hard yards toward the line. Finally, Rozier spied a gap meters from the line and dove over, 12-0.
Italy inside center Sofia Stefan broke the line for a nice run that ended in a batted-down pass. The USA was penalized in the subsequent scrum, and the kick set up a five-meter lineout to Italy. A patient and organized maul eventually put Italy hooker Lucia Cammarano over for the try, which Veronica Schiavon converted, 12-7.
An injury break followed, and when play resumed, the pace of the first-quarter was gone. It was a fortunate change, though, because the USA’s play was verging on frenetic, and refinement was needed. The kicking game still struggled, as a kick-through, box kick and crossfield kick were sent to seemingly no one. Italy on the other hand had a nifty chip down the sideline that worked well on the run. None were too dangerous given the USA’s back three, but it was a nice weapon.
Italy started to even up on possession, but the USA’s defense was lights out. The team was very fast off the line and could get Italy moving backward. The half ended 12-7 and with the sense that the USA should have a bigger lead.
There were some worrisome moments in the third quarter – a couple more forced passes – but the Eagles definitely tidied up that part of the game. Abby Gustaitis and Alev Kelter were the first subs to roll on and they made an immediate impact. Approaching the fourth quarter, Bridges stole an Italian lineout near midfield, and the USA started building phases. Kelter then shook out of two tackles and nearly crossed the try line. The quick support allowed the outlet pass to find Thomas, who scored in the corner. Rozier’s conversion hit the crossbar, 17-7.
A nice chip down the sideline saw the USA defending its five meter, and Emba sent a line-drive clearance kick to relieve some pressure. A crossfield kick into the try zone placed Thomas against two on-running Italians, and the wing played the ball perfectly and calmly for the dot-down and drop 22.
The Eagles got their bonus-point try in minute 62, as a lovely series of wide passes evolved in Italy’s end. Rozier, to Emba, to Kelter (who reigned in a difficult pass), to Thomas, who powered ahead. Gustaitis was quick in support and stretched all 5’11″ of herself to dot down the ball. Kelter conversion’s was good for the 24-7 lead. (An aside, the USA is the tallest team in the tournament and second-heaviest behind New Zealand)
The subs continued to roll on during the fourth quarter, and Kayla Canett came on to get some time at scrumhalf. Italy got on the board in waning minutes, after Thomas was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock at the USA 40 meter. Italy used the penalty to set up a driving lineout to the try line, and got the five points it had just missed out on. Elisa Giordano’s try made it 24-12, where the game ended.
Sara Parsons was named Player of the Match, and the flanker certainly deserved it. She was the emblem of ferocity, in the tackle and as a ballcarrier.
Overall, it was a promising display for the Americans. There is tidying to be done, as one might expect of a team that is playing in its third test this year, but the bones for a good tournament are there.
Round 2 commences on Sunday, Aug. 13, and the USA will play Spain, which lost to England 56-5 today, at 9:45 a.m. Eastern / 6:30 a.m. Pacific.
USA 24
Tries: Thomas 2, Rozier, Gustaitis
Cons: Rozier, Kelter
ITALY 12
Tries: Cammarano, Giordano
Cons: Schiavon
USA ROSTER
1. Catie Benson (Naima Reddick @ 66′)
2. Katy Augustyn (Sam Pankey @ 61′)
3. Tiffany Faaee (c) (Hope Rogers @ 61′)
4. Stacey Bridges
5. Alycia Washington (Abby Gustaitis @ 50′)
6. Sara Parsons (Kristine Sommer @ 66′)
7. Kate Zackary
8. Jordan Gray
9. Deven Oswiany (Kayla Canett @ 73′)
10. Kimber Rozier
11. Kristen Thomas
12. Sylvia Braaten (Alev Kelter @ 50′)
13. Nicole Heavirland
14. Naya Tapper (Jessica Javelet 64′)
15. Cheta Emba
USAWomen15s WomensRugbyWorldCup
