Cheta Emba / Photos: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA Women’s National Team is 2-0 at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup after a 43-0 win over Spain. The Eagles will now play also-undefeated England in the final pool round on Thursday, Aug. 17 with an eye toward the Cup semifinals.
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Akin to its tournament opener, the USA pushed a furious pace from kickoff. It was all Spain could absorb, at least for the first seven minutes. From an attacking scrum, the ball moved wide to Naya Tapper, and she muscled her way down the sideline into the try zone. It was the first of several displays of force for the power runner, with whom Spain had issues containing. Inside center Alev Kelter slotted an excellent conversion for the 7-0 lead.
Tapper and the definition of “try eyes”? / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
Spain got its first chance at points near the 14-minute mark, as flyhalf Patricia Garcia lined up a 40-meter penalty kick. Penalties again hurt the Eagles, and at the end of the quarter, the referee had a chat with captain Tiffany Faaee about not-rolling-away issues. Toward the end of the half, flanker Sara Parsons – who had another lights-out day planting ballcarriers – was yellow carded for not retreating on a quick tap, and then planting the ballcarrier.
The penalty attempt fell short, but it marked a turn for Spain, which started earning more possession. The game, however, was played mostly in Spain’s end, a credit to the USA’s pressure. Despite a couple of piercing runs from fullback Iera Echebarria, the American defense really was the star today and never lessened throughout the match.
Sam Pankey / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
“We knew Spain wanted to play with width so we wanted to focus on our line speed to shut that down,” USA Women’s National Team coach Pete Steinberg explained Spain-specific goals. “We wanted to hold on to the ball in contact as well, but that was still a challenge.”
As the half drew to an end, the USA was enjoying an attacking campaign deep in Spain’s end, as players like Kristen Thomas out wide and Stacey Bridges in tight made good gains. A long penalty advantage was being played as the forwards stabbed at the line, and when play regrouped at the 10 meter, scrumhalf Deven Owsiany tapped to Parsons. The flanker put her head down and nearly crossed the line. Support was quick and No. 8 Jordan Gray, who was named AON Player of the Match, picked from the ruck and dove over for the try, 12-0.
Jordan Gray / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
With little time left in the half, Spain caught the USA on the restart, turned over the ball and moved the ball wide for a two-on-one. That final pass was knocked on. After a penalty kick to touch and lost lineout, the USA was penalized for diving in the scrum, and Spain tapped through quickly. More like a reaction, Parsons put her shoulders into the ballcarrier instead of retreating, and was sent off. Spain then sent a penalty kick to touch and erred on its lineout. The half ended as the Americans’ scrum, now down a player, was pushed back, and the USA was lucky to get that ball to touch.
Like the first match, there was a sense that the USA should have had more points on the board.
“Our work rate was not good enough in the first half on attack or defense which meant we did not build our shapes,” Steinberg reflected. “The subs that came in did really well and helped us up the pace.”
But also like the first match, the USA did well to turn around its first-half performance and implement change. As the defense remained oppressive, the attack started to breathe in more life. The backs and forwards worked really well together, as pack players like Catie Benson, Faaee and Alycia Washington broke through the middle of the field, and Sam Pankey and Parsons were eager to play out wide as well. Kimber Rozier did a nice job distributing to her all-USA 7s back line, and inside center Alev Kelter was magic as usual.
Benson to Washington, nice combo / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
“Nicole Heavirland has been really playing well,” the coach credited the outside center. “She can cover many positions and is key to our ability to get the ball to outside backs.”
The phases layered on top of each other, and the USA got its third try as Kelter danced at the try line, drawing in multiple defenders, and then got the offload off to fullback Cheta Emba, 17-0.
Momentum began to build, and the next score came quickly, as Benson and Washington brought the team into Spain’s end. Emba grubbered through the line and Spain had no choice but to carry the ball into the try zone for the five-meter scrum. Tapper inserted from the weak side, driving those powerful legs, and Kelter joined from behind to shove the winger into the try zone and dot-down. Kelter’s dropkick conversion made it 24-0.
Kelter added three conversions. / Photo: Colleen McCloskey
In the fourth quarter, the fast-up defense helped produce a not-releasing penalty, and Emba sent a good kick inside Spain’s 22. The driving lineout was too much for the Spanish defense, which eventual collapsed the maul. A penalty try – which includes the conversion – was awarded, 31-0.
During one of Spain’s most promising attacks, it took seven phases before play stopped due to a handling error. Spain hurt itself with unforced errors, and it took a toll as the game wore on.
With the game firmly in hand, the USA kept building phases, and Kelter kicked through to put Jessica Javelet onto the chase. The ball took a fortuitous bounce past Echebarria and the substitute wing dotted down her first-ever 15s try.
With approximately a minute remaining, Tapper went on a massive gallop down the sideline, seemingly beating the entire Spanish team, and the Eagles pounced on the broken defense. A few phases later, the ball moved to reserve prop Hope Rogers, who pushed off one defender before diving over for the try. Kelter’s third conversion was good, and the USA won 43-0.
Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA will contest its final pool play match against England on Thursday, Aug. 17 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern / 6:30 a.m. Pacific. At the time this article was published, there was one more game to play in Round 2, France vs. Australia, and so we’ll hold off on knockout scenarios until that game ends. Or, check out the standings and see the other pools’ results – and their lack of bonus points – and how they’ve helped the USA’s station.
USA Women’s Eagles
1. Catie Benson
2. Sam Pankey
3. Tiffany Faaee (c)
4. Stacey Bridges
5. Abby Gustaitis
6. Sara Parsons
7. Kate Zackary
8. Jordan Gray
9. Deven Owsiany
10. Kimber Rozier
11. Kristen Thomas
12. Alev Kelter
13. Nicole Heavirland
14. Naya Tapper
15. Cheta Emba
16. Katy Augustyn
17. Jamila Reinhardt
18. Hope Rogers
19. Alycia Washington
20. Kristine Sommer
21. Kayla Canett
22. Sylvia Braaten
23. Jessica Javelet
USA Women’s Eagles | 43
Tries: Tapper 2, Gray, Emba, Javelet, Rogers, penalty try
Cons: Kelter 3, penalty try conversion
Spain 0