eagles.rugby — Offensive pressure and a flurry of tries from the American forwards were the difference makers in Nashville, Tenn., as the USA Women’s Eagles marched past Italy 54-24 for a 5th-straight win. The WXV Global Series now moves to Harrison, N.J., where the USA will face England on Friday, Oct. 30 in a double-header with the USA Men’s National Team. [lead photo: Greg Sabin for USA Rugby]

The USA forwards shined on the scoresheet in Nashville, accounting for all eight of the Eagles’ tries. Two-time MA Sorensen Award winner Freda Tafuna continued to dominate with another hat trick, while both starting props Keia Mae Sagapolu-Senele and debutant Lauryn Carlton also found the try zone. Future Hall of Famer Alev Kelter shifted to the wing position, where strong carries and 110 meters earned her Player of the Match honors.

“They put their foot on the throttle a bit more today, which is something that takes a lot of learning,” said USA Rugby Women’s National Team Head Coach Jack Hanratty said. “We’ve reviewed a lot of our own play and had some rugby IQ meetings, so today I was pretty proud of that.

“Players off the bench are really adding incredible value,” he added. “We’re not getting these five-straight wins with just 15 players. We’ve said all along that if we’re going to be a top-five team, we need 50 world-class players.”

After conceding two early tries to Italy in the opening 14 minutes, the USA took control of the first half with a relentless offensive surge. Sagapolu-Senele sparked the comeback by picking up from the base of a ruck to score in the 19th minute, then added a second close-range try in the 27th minute. The American attack consistently broke the gainline, with Kelter repeatedly breaching the defense to create space. This sustained pressure led to a try from Carlton in the 32nd minute and a fourth first-half try by Tafuna just before the break. Bella Vogel continued to be brilliant off the tee in the first 40 minutes, converting tries to give the USA a commanding lead heading into halftime.

The USA maintained their physical dominance in the second half, anchored by Tafuna, who completed a hat-trick with close-range finishes in the 43rd and 64th minutes. Co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding added her name to the scoresheet in the 60th minute, touching down after the American forwards pushed to within meters of the try line. Although Italy managed two second-half tries from Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi and Beatrice Rigoni, fresh legs from the USA bench kept the match out of reach. Kate Zackary capped off the American scoring by powering over from a ruck in the 76th minute, followed by Vogel’s seventh successful conversion of the match to seal the victory.

“When you see the joy in the group, and how excited they are to go to training and be in each other’s company after six weeks, I’m just thinking, ‘Please don’t let this end,'” Hanratty closed. “I’m just glad that this has been such a positive tour. Honestly these tours can be a slog, but the energy from the players and staff to continue has been incredible and infectious, and now we get a shot at the world champions.”

Tickets to the USA vs. England match, followed by the USA Men vs. Australia XV, are still available. Otherwise, watches the games on Paramount+.

USA ROSTER

1. Lauryn Carlton*
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. Taina Tukuafu
10. Nina Mason
11. Alev Kelter
12. Bella Vogel
13. Emily Henrich
14. Bulou Mataitoga
15. Ashley Cowdrey

16. Paige Stathopoulos
17. Hope Rogers
18. Reece Woods
19. Erica Jarrell-Searcy (Co-Capt)
20. Kapoina Bailey
21. Kate Zackary
22. Abigail Paton
23. Katana Howard

*Uncapped Player

WXV Global Series Results

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

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

USA 36-27 Italy
Tries: Perris-Redding (3), Rogers (2)
Conv: Vogel (4)
Pen: Vogel (1)

USA 54-24 Italy
Tries: Tafuna (3), Sagapolu-Senele (2), Perris-Redding, Zackary, Carlton
Conv: Vogel (7)

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
Nick Gallagher | Assistant S&C
Declan Oorlof | Analyst
Sam Malette | Head Athletic Trainer
Janie Kleumpers | Assistant Athletic Trainer
Dr. Becca Rodriguez | Team Doctor
Lisa Boyer | Licensed Massage Therapist
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
Videographer | Owen Aschieris
Media Director | Jenni Burke