Captains Tiffany Faaee (USA) and Fiao’o Faamausili (NZ) / Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan for World Rugby
The Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) contests its penultimate round on Tuesday, Aug. 22, and for the first time since 1998, the USA is a semifinalist. The Eagles face New Zealand at 12 p.m. Eastern on NBC Sports Network.
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Tiffany Faaee returns to the captainship (watch the skipper’s “My Rugby Hero” feature on World Rugby) and leads an Eagle side that has made no changes to its starting lineup against England. The USA will be leaning on the familiarity together as it takes on the top seed in the tournament.
New Zealand defeated Wales 44-12, Hong Kong 121-0 and Canada 48-5 during pool play, and that third victory propelled the Black Ferns to the top of the rankings. Sixteen Black Ferns have scored tries, with the majority (28) coming through the backs. Wing Portia Woodman leads with nine tries (eight came against Hong Kong) and is tied with USA wing Naya Tapper for beating the most defenders (26) throughout the World Cup thus far. Prop Aldora Itunu scored a hat trick against Canada, which hurt itself with a lack of bonus points this tournament.
Semifinalists’ captains / Photo: INPHO/Dan Sheridan for World Rugby
Tuesday’s victor will advance to the final against the winner of England vs. France, which takes place at 2:45 p.m. Eastern.
USA
1. Catie Benson (Life West)
2. Katy Augustyn (Berkeley)
3. Tiffany Faaee (New York)
4. Stacey Bridges (Twin Cities)
5. Alycia Washington (New York)
6. Sara Parsons (Scion)
7. Kate Zackary (San Diego)
8. Jordan Gray (Life West)
9. Deven Owsiany (San Diego)
10. Kimber Rozier (Scion)
11. Kristen Thomas (USA 7s)
12. Alev Kelter (USA 7s)
13. Nicole Heavirland (USA 7s)
14. Naya Tapper (USA 7s)
15. Cheta Emba (USA 7s)
16. Sam Pankey (San Diego)
17. Hope Rogers (San Diego)
18. Nicole James (Houston Athletic)
19. Abby Gustaitis (NOVA)
20. Kristine Sommer (Seattle)
21. Kayla Canett (Penn State)
22. Tess Feury (Penn State)
23. Jess Wooden (Aylesford)
NEW ZEALAND
1. Toka Natua
2. Fiao’o Faamausili
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Eloise Blackwell
5. Charmaine Smith
6. Charmaine McMenamin
7. Sarah Goss
8. Aroha Savage
9. Kendra Cocksedge
10. Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali
11. Renee Wickliffe
12. Kelly Brazier
13. Stacey Waaka
14. Portia Woodman
15. Selica Winiata
16. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate
17. Sosoli Talawadua
18. Aleisha Nelson
19. Becky Wood
20. Lesley Ketu
21. Linda Itunu
22. Theresa Fitzpatrick
23. Carla Hohepa
Referee: Alhambra Nievas