USA RUGBY — USA Rugby Women’s National Team (WNT) Head Coach Sione Fukofuka named 23 players to face Japan in their second round of a two-match series. Kickoff is Saturday, Aug. 17 at 5 a.m. ET and will live-stream on RugbyPassTV for free. Replay will also be available. [USA Rugby photo]
“We have focused on our own actions and controllables,” Fukofuka reflected on time spent since the 17-17 draw against Japan last Sunday. “We felt we hadn’t performed to the standards we set in PAC4 and let ourselves down. Japan put us under pressure and we didn’t respond to that pressure in the manner we have been working toward. We have worked hard this week on our collisions and our intent at the attack breakdown, as well as our detail in our set piece and attack shapes. We are fortunate to have the same opposition for two weeks in a row, which allows us to adapt some or our tactics to match the opportunities Japan presents.”
Fukofuka also made a few changes in the pursuit of those goals.
“We have made some changes to the front row based on rewarding players that have worked hard to get their physical metrics up and performed during our preparation,” Fukofuka said. “Keia Mae Sagapolu and Catie Benson have both taken their feedback well and have pushed hard to earn selection. We are pleased in the depth of our front row that we are able to give opportunities across the two tests and be confident in our set piece platform.”
Central Washington University’s Tessa Hann was called up to replace the injured Sophie Lamphier and the Colorado native has the opportunity to earn her first USA cap on Saturday.
The backs have seen quite a few changes from last Sunday. Captain Tess Feury shifts from fullback to wing, as teenager Sariah Ibarra gets the start at 15.
“This test match provides us with a chance to get players game time with some real points of difference,” Fukofuka said. “In the backs, Taina Tukuafu gives us a running game and a threat around the ruck. Katana Howard’s kicking game allows us to relieve the pressure across the field. Bulou Mataitoga comes in and adds real experience and impact on the edge. Sariah Ibarra showed last week that she is an exciting prospect and deserves more game time to show that, and learn from her experience leading into WXV and World Cup. Changes on the bench are a combination of rewarding performance and looking at balance across the 23.”
USA v Japan Roster | Aug 17, 2024
| Name | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Catie Benson | Sale Sharks | 44 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder (VC) | Loughborough Lightning | 21 |
| 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu | Leicester Tigers | 10 |
| 4. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 10 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 18 |
| 6. Rachel Ehrecke | Colorado Gray Wolves | 14 |
| 7. Tahlia Brody | Leicester Tigers | 11 |
| 8. Freda Tafuna | Lindenwood University | 9 |
| 9. Taina Tukuafu | Berkeley All Blues | 9 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins (VC) | Colorado Gray Wolves | 16 |
| 11. Tess Feury (C) | Leicester Tigers | 27 |
| 12. Katana Howard | Sale Sharks | 21 |
| 13. Emily Henrich | Leicester Tigers | 17 |
| 14. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 17 |
| 15. Sariah Ibarra | USA Sevens | 1 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Beantown RFC | 9 |
| 17. Alivia Leatherman | Life West | 4 |
| 18. Maya Learned | Colorado Gray Wolves | 12 |
| 19. Jenny Kronish | Beantown RFC | 15 |
| 20. Tessa Hann | Central Washington Univ | 0 |
| 21. Sophie Pyrz | Life West / Rhinos | 1 |
| 22. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 29 |
| 23. Nana Fa’avesi | USA Sevens | 6 |
Staff | 2024 Japan Tour
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Mel Bosman
Assistant Coach | Sarah Chobot
Team Doctor | Derek Hatfield
Head Athletic Trainer | Emily Lauer
ATC | Sam Malette
Lead Physical Performance Coach | Sylvia Braaten
Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Team Manager | Lindsay Wilson