The USA Women’s National Team are 2-0 in the WXV Global Series after a 26-24 victory against Wales in Cardiff. No. 8 Freda Tafuna scored three tries to pace the Eagles and was named Player of the Match on Saturday. The group now returns to the states and will reassemble ahead of the three-test series in Texas, Tennessee and New Jersey. Buy tickets here.  [lead photo c/o USA Rugby]

Tafuna got the scoring going four minutes into the match, picking from the base of a ruck to dive over from close range. The second of three tries for the No. 8 followed before the first quarter ended, and inside center Bella Vogel added both conversions for a 14-0 lead.

Wales got on the board through a Keira Bevan try and a Freya Bell conversion to make it 14-7 after 23 minutes. The Eagles restored the 14-point differential minutes later, when fullback Kayla Canett found wing Erica Coulibaly on the edge for a defense-dismantling try, 21-7 with Vogel’s conversion.

“We were brilliant in the first 20 minutes, which was a work-on from last week,” USA Rugby Women’s National Team Head Coach Jack Hanratty said. “We showed massive attacking moments — especially with Erica’s try — but we let Wales back into it, and they are a well drilled and physical side.”

 

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Over the course of 10 minutes, Wales put down three tries from Kelsey Jones, Sisilisa Tuipulotu and Alex Callender. Bell added one more conversion — a stat that ended up being a difference-maker on the scoreboard — and Wales took a 24-21 lead into the break.

The game-winning points were earned in minute 51, when Tafuna refused to be stopped short of the whitewash, recording her third try of the game: 26-24. And there the scoreline held as reserves ran onto the pitch to keep the intensity and execution at a premium. The whistled sounded, and the Americans banked their second-straight WXV Global Series win.

“Looking ahead, we’ll certainly go over the last 10 minutes, and how we want to finish a game,” Hanratty closed. “But we found a way and we are going home 2-from-2. It’s not easy to win on the road — and we are now three-in-a-row!”

“Wales definitely gave us a game,” Tafuna said. “Everyone knows how to connect on and off the field, and I think that’s what’s so special about this team. We’re still working though to prove that we have what it takes to be a top-six team in the world.”

The USA women will return stateside and reassemble in October to pick up preparations for their three-match tour on home soil

The USA Women’s Eagles will take on Italy in Mansfield, Texas, on Oct. 17 and again in Nashville, Tenn., on the 24th. They will then play hosts for their WXV Global Series finale in a 2025 Rugby World Cup opener rematch against England’s Red Roses in New Jersey’s Sports Illustrated Stadium on Oct. 30. Tickets are on sale now at https://eagles.rugby/tickets.

USA TEAM v WALES

1 Hope Rogers
2 Kathryn Treder
3 Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele
4 Hallie Taufoou
5 Rachel Ehrecke
6 Hann Humphreys
7 Georgie Perris-Redding (Co-Capt)
8 Freda Tafuna
9 Abigail Paton
10 Nina Mason
11 Erica Coulibaly
12 Bella Vogel
13 Emily Henrich
14 Telesi Uhatafe
15 Kayla Canett

16 Chloe Hill-Huse
17 Alivia Leatherman
18 Reece Woods
19 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (Co-Capt)
20 Kapoina Bailey
21 Cass Bargell
22 Katana Howard
23 Tessa Hann

USA SCHEDULE

Sept 20: USA 40-36 Ireland
Tries: Perris-Redding, Rogers, Treder 2, Taufoou, Tafuna
Conv: Vogel 5

Sept 26: USA 26-24 Wales
Tries: Tafuna 3, Coulibaly
Conv: Vogel 3

USA vs. Italy | Saturday, Oct 17
Mansfield, TX – Texas Health Mansfield Stadium | 5 p.m. CT

USA vs. Italy | Saturday, Oct 24
Nashville, TN – Geodis Park | 3:15 p.m. CT
Double Header with USA Men v AUS XV | 6 p.m. CT

USA vs. England | Friday, Oct 30
Harrison, NJ – Sports Illustrated Stadium | 5:15 p.m. ET
DoubleHeader with USA Men v AUS XV | 8 p.m. ET

USA STAFF

Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Jeremy Steinbach | Head of Athletic Performance
Toby Bolton | Assistant S&C
Callum Howells | Analyst
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Lee Ann Hewitt | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Dr. Irvin Sulapas | Team Doctor
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Alana Gattinger | Head of High Performance Operations
Jo Hull | Head of Women’s High Performance
Tamara Sheppard | General Manager of High Performance