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Johnson Bolsters Exeter’s American Contingent

  • 11 Jan 2021
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Exeter has signed two more Americans for the 2020-21 Allianz Premier 15s season, adding Eagles Rachel Johnson and Joanna Kitlinski to the squad in January 2021. Five USA Women’s National Team players are currently representing the Chiefs in the professional league, although Jennine Detiveaux is presently injured.

Johnson and Kitlinski participated in the Eagles 15s residency this fall, spending nearly two months in a Daily Training Environment (DTE) in Glendale, Colo. Meanwhile, Eagle teammates Kate Zackary, Gabby Cantorna, Kristine Sommer (Harlequins) and Detiveaux opted for the playing opportunities in the English pro league. The DTE culminated with the Stars vs. Stripes match in mid-November, and then Johnson and Kitlinski turned attention overseas.

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“I’m incredibly grateful to apply the rugby learning I gained in Denver at USARs 15s training environment right into Exeter’s performance environment,” Johnson wrote. “Exeter is a new team in the Allianz Premier 15s, but throughout the first half of their season have proved themselves a squad to respect, so I am excited to continue my development here while also getting the opportunity to take the field with this amazing group of athletes.”

The opportunity wasn’t without its compromises. Johnson is a registered nurse who focuses on mental health nursing and in-home care – work that cannot be administered remotely while in Colorado or in England. But Johnson is also a PE instructor and head coach of Reed College’s rugby class and teams, and transitioned the program to a virtual set-up for the 2020-21 academic year. She will continue to oversee the Portland, Ore., program from Exeter, despite the eight-hour time difference.

“Having three USA teammates already here in Exeter was quite helpful in my preparation and transition,” noted Johnson, who represents Oregon Sports Rugby Union (ORSU) when the Women’s Premier League is in season. “Most useful advice: Bring lots of warm clothes! Exeter is a beautiful area but also quite chilly and damp this time of year – although not that different from my home in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, they assisted me in the process of establishing phone service, a bank account, and other necessities when in a new country.”

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Exeter head coach Susie Appleby was tasked with creating a new squad during the Covid-19 era – a difficult ask that morphed into an international recruitment effort. The former England international looked to Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Spain, the Netherlands, as well as the U.S., when building the roster.

“This squad is quite diverse, in terms of experience and nationality,” Johnson explained. “Spain’s Patricia Garcia is a player who I am very much looking forward to working with, as I’ve been a fan of hers on the [HSBC World Rugby] 7s circuit for years. Her passion, respect and skill for the game has always been evident in the way she plays and it’s an honor to now learn with and from her as a teammate. In the backrow, I’m lucky to continue to get reps with my USA teammate, Kate Zackary, as well as other loosies such as Ebony Jefferies and Exeter’s captain and Netherland’s international, Linde van der Velden.

“Additionally, the coaching staff boasts impressive former English players – head coach Susie Appleby and assistant coach Amy Garnett – who have already begun expanding my understanding of the game through their analysis and feedback,” Johnson added.

Exeter went 3-5 during the 2020 portion of the season. Johnson and Kitlinski arrived in time for the 2021 opener against Bristol, which had won the teams’ Oct. 17 meeting by two points. Johnson was named to the reserves for the Jan. 9 match, but didn’t take the field, as Appleby only utilized two subs. The Chiefs won 31-27 to kick off the new year and improve to 4-5.

“Exeter is my first foreign club I get the privilege to be a part of,” Johnson wrote. “With the new year, I was reviewing some personal goals I set at the beginning of 2020. I definitely had a big smile being able to check off ‘play rugby abroad’ from my mid-term goals list.

“Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better first week of training with a new team,” Johnson wrote. “Everyone has been welcoming and focused on the task at hand. I am beyond excited and ready to see what I can add to and grow from in this already talented Exeter squad!”

Exeter will play the Harlequins on Jan. 17 – provided Covid-19 cases don’t postpone the match – setting up an opportunity to see Eagles on both side of the ball. The Allianz Premier regular season is currently slated to run until April 10, followed by the playoffs.

Article Categories:
SR CLUB · USA

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