USA RUGBY — It’s off to Japan for the USA Women’s Eagles, their first-ever tour to the land of the rising sun. The overseas trip comes two-and-a-half months after the Pacific Four Series, which culminated with a crucial win against Australia in Australia, and a month-and-a-half before the WXV 1 assembly in Canada.

Having played Japan only twice in program history, both during the Rugby World Cup, the 11th-ranked Japanese team should be a great series of fixtures ahead of the first venture into WXV1 for the United States. The tour will be a two-match series, with matches on August 11 and the second August 17, both streaming live and for free in the U.S. on RugbyPass TV.

“The players have all been working hard in their remote settings to prepare for the challenge that Japan provides, especially at home,” Women’s National Team head coach Sione Fukofuka said of time spent the Pacific Four Series. “We have focused on our strength and conditioning, alongside our core skills to make sure that we are prepared to face a very technical, fit and motivated Japanese team in the warm conditions in Japan.

“In addition to the remote programs, we have implemented satellite sessions in San Francisco, Denver, and Boston to provide touch points between the players and the core standards that we set in the Pacific Four Series,” he added. “The selected squad has also connected via Zoom calls to make sure that the players are all aligned on the game model we have established, the behaviors and standards that are expected to perform, and our previews of Japan as we approach the first test in Kitakyushu.”

Fukofuka and staff have selected 30 traveling players, led by veteran Tess Feury who will step in as captain while Kate Zackary and Rachel Johnson recover from injury.

“Tess Feury will bring a different voice and with her leadership group with McKenzie Hawkins and Kathryn Treder as vice captains, will have the opportunity to drive those values and standards that we have identified as important to the program and the jersey,” Fukofuka said. “Overall we are excited at the balance of the squad and the potential we have as a team, and just want to continue to push our standards and performances with each opportunity we are provided.”

 

Four prospects join the tour with an opportunity to earn first caps, that being Sophie Pyrz, Emerson Allen, Sophie Lamphier and Sariah Ibarra. Ibarra first jumped on the USA Rugby radar with the U18s in 2022, while Allen and Pyrz have been in the pathway and competing with the Rhinos Rugby Academy, a USA Rugby National Development Program. Lamphier brings a new element of speed, coming through to the international stage from the Berkeley All Blues and Premier Rugby Sevens.

Joanna “Nana” Fa’avesi heads back over to 15s from the 7s line, while Maya Learned and Saher Hamdan make notable returns to the program for the first time in over a year.

In the coaching ranks, former Eagle Sarah Chobot steps in as assistant coach following her recent tour heading up the USA Falcons tour in Brazil. Chobot played prop for the Eagles, earning 25 international caps, and is an assistant coach with the American Raptors.

 

“This series presents an opportunity for the players to again represent their country, to push for WXV selection, and continue to develop their technical and tactical ability,” Fukofuka closed. “As coaches we are excited to prepare a team on a short turnaround against a quality opposition and continue to build on the platform set in PAC 4. We have the opportunity to welcome a number of players who have not been involved in the current setup and really continue to build depth across a number of positions. Returning players have a chance to push their case and the new members of this traveling squad have the opportunity to get a taste of international rugby and add some excitement and competition to positions within the team.”

USA Women’s Eagles Roster | 2024 Japan Tour

USA 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

USA Match Schedule | 2024 Japan Tour

Watch live on RugbyPass TV

SUN AUG 11 • 5 a.m. ET
Mikuni World Stadium | Kitakyushu, JPN
USA vs Japan

SAT AUG 17 • 5 a.m. ET
ECOPA Stadium | Shizuoka, JPN
USA vs Japan