USA RUGBY — Head Coach Sione Fukofuka announced today the 23 players rostered to run out against Australia in the USA Women’s Eagles’ final test of the 2024 Pacific Four Series. Captain Kate Zackary returns from injury to lead the group, with Rachel Johnson and Tess Feury named vice captains. Watch the game live (Friday, May 17, 2:55 a.m. ET) on Peacock TV.
“We are excited to welcome Kate back into the team and into her role as captain,” Fukofuka said of the back row player. “Rachel Johnson has done an outstanding job at leading the team in her absence, and that experience, with Kate’s return we feel will be a real point of difference. McKenzie Hawkins returns from her injury to take the game driver role and adds real confidence to the team with her calm and composed approach to the game.”
Coming off losses against Canada and New Zealand, and with Australia losing its PAC4 opener to Canada last week, both teams are motivated for a strong performance and victory on Friday. The last time these two teams met, Australia banked a 58-17 win.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
“We have spent the week focused on our ability to create opportunities by maintaining possession, taking away their time and space with our connected line speed, and putting the source of the ball under pressure at set piece time,” Fukofuka said.
“Australia are fifth in the world and have come off the strong end to 2023, so we respect their ability and the threats they have, as well as their new coaching staff and the changes they are making,” he added. “Both teams are acutely aware that WXV and World Cup qualification are on the line, so it will be a really good contest between two very motivated sides.”
The 2024 Pacific Four Series is the USA’s first stop on the road to 2025 World Cup qualification. The winner of PAC4 will earn a spot at the World Cup, and the top-six ranked, non-qualified teams out of WXV will earn qualification. The top three teams from the Pacific Four Series will head to WXV 1 in Ottawa, while the fourth-ranked team will head to WXV 2 in South Africa.
“We have a big task ahead this weekend and I’m looking forward to being back on the team sheet for it,” Zackary said. “Our leadership group has done a fantastic job guiding this ship, and pushing the standards in training.
“We know what’s on the line this weekend, not just the desire to win, but to qualify for World Cup and WX1,” the captain continued. “The team is ready for the challenge we face, Australia is chasing the same qualification opportunity, so we have to start fast and maintain our quality of play for 80. It will be a duel to the last minute, and we can’t wait to rip into the match.”
USA vs. Australia kicks off Friday, May 17, at 2:55 am ET, live on Peacock.
ROSTER
| Name | Club | Test Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 46 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | Loughborough Lightning | 19 |
| 3. Charli Jacoby | Queensland Reds | 27 |
| 4. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 16 |
| 5. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 8 |
| 6. Kate Zackary (C) | Ealing Trailfinders | 36 |
| 7. Georgie Perris-Redding | Sale Sharks | 13 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson (VC) | Exeter Chiefs | 28 |
| 9. Olivia Ortiz | Exeter Chiefs | 19 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins | Colorado Gray Wolves | 14 |
| 11. Lotte Clapp | Saracens | 15 |
| 12. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 27 |
| 13. Atumata Hingano | USA Sevens | 4 |
| 14. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 16 |
| 15. Tess Feury (VC) | Leicester Tigers | 25 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Beantown RFC | 7 |
| 17. Alivia Leatherman | Notre Dame College | 2 |
| 18. Keia Mae Sagapolu | Leicester Tigers | 8 |
| 19. Rachel Ehrecke | Colorado Gray Wolves | 12 |
| 20. Freda Tafuna | Lindenwood University | 7 |
| 21. Taina Tukuafu | Lindenwood University | 8 |
| 22. Katana Howard | Sale Sharks | 19 |
| 23. Emily Henrich | Unattached | 15 |
STAFF
Head of Women’s High Performance | Brandon Sparks
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Ray Barkwill
Assistant Coach | Melodie Bosman
Head of Physical Performance | Sylvia Braaten
Lead Analysis | Caitlin Singletary
Operations Assistant | Lindsay Wilson
Team Doctor | Dr. Rebecca Rodriguez
Athletic Trainer | Emily Lauer
Physiotherapist | Cerys Preston
2024 Schedule
USA 38-17 South Africa
Tries: G. Perris-Redding 3, K. Treder, E. Henrich, C. Clapp
Cons: G. Cantorna 4
2024 Pacific Four Series
Canada 50-7 USA
Tries: G. Perris-Redding
Cons: G. Cantorna
New Zealand 57-5 USA
Tries: Tafuna
Friday, May 17, 1:55 a.m. ET
USA v Australia
AAMI PARK | Melbourne, Australia