eagles.rugby — USA Eagles Coaching staff have selected the squad to take on Samoa in their third and final Pool match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, this Saturday, September 6th at York Community Stadium. [lead photo: Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]
The match kicks off at 8:30 am ET (1:30 PM local time) and will be broadcast live for fans in the USA on Paramount+.
Following a dramatic draw with Australia last weekend, and a loss to England in the opening round, the Women’s Eagles face a must-win match to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. The USA will need to not only secure a victory but also a significant points difference against the Samoans, while also keeping a watchful eye on the result of the England vs. Australia fixture. American fans will be hoping for a high scoring result in favor of the home country in that match to boost the Eagles’ chances of advancing.
Head Coach, Sione Fukofuka has made adjustments to this backline set to face Samoa with Gabby Cantorna moving into the starting XV, bringing her playmaking ability to the center. She is joined by sevens standout Sariah Ibarra, who will guide proceedings from the fullback position.
The matchday 23 sees the return of Georgie Perris-Redding from injury, who will be joined on the bench alongside Kristin Bitter, Alev Kelter and Maya Learned making her Rugby World Cup debut.
Fukofuka commented:
“Our focus for this week is directly on our own performance and what we can control. Samoa is a physical side that although beaten in their first two matches of the World Cup, has shown fight and resolve to keep playing for the full 80 minutes. We know our side of the equation and what we need to do in our attack and defence to create opportunities and turn over possession. We will work hard to build our possession stats and to convert opportunities into points.
“I was very proud of the team after the Australia match, especially the fight back in the second half to give ourselves a chance to win the game. We were composed and clear on what we needed to change and we were able to transfer pressure on to Australia. We played to our strengths by being physical and direct on both sides of the ball, and our scrum and lineout both performed well. Whilst not a win, the team has kept our chances alive and remain in the frame to earn qualification for a quarter final with a strong performance this week.”
ROSTER v SAMOA
1 Hope Rogers — Exeter Chiefs
2 Kathryn Treder — Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers
3 Keia Mae Sagapolu — Loughborough Lightning
4 Hallie Taufoou — Loughborough Lightning / Denver Onyx
5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy — Sale Sharks
6 Freda Tafuna — Lindenwood University
7 Kate Zackary — Ealing Trailfinders
8 Rachel Johnson — Exeter Chiefs / Denver Onyx
9 Cassidy Bargell — Boston Banshees
10 McKenzie Hawkins — Denver Onyx
11 Erica Coulibaly — Denver Onyx
12 Gabby Cantorna — Exeter Chiefs
13 Ilona Maher — Bristol Bears / USA Sevens
14 Emily Henrich — Leicester Tigers / Boston Banshees
15 Sariah Ibarra — USA Sevens
16 Paige Stathopoulos — Ealing Trailfinders / Boston Banshees
17 Maya Learned — Denver Onyx
18 Alivia Leatherman — Trailfinders / Twin Cities Gemini
19 Tahlia Brody — Loughborough Lightning
20 Georgie Perris-Redding — Sale Sharks
21 Olivia Ortiz — Sale Sharks
22 Kristin Bitter — Denver Onyx
23 Alev Kelter — Loughborough Lightning / Bay Area Breakers
STAFF
Head Coach, Attack + Backs | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach, Defense | Sarah Chobot
Assistant Coach, Forwards | Mel Bosman
Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley Intern S&C | Nina Forte
Analyst | Callum Howells
Lead Physiotherapist | Alice Mae
Athletic Trainer | Sam Malette
Team Doctor | Becca Rodriguez
Massage Therapist | Delwyn Griffith
Performance Psychologist | Scott Goldman
Team Manager | Alana Gattinger
General Manager, High Performance | Tamara Sheppard
Media Manager | Jenni Burke
SCHEDULE
USA v England 69-7 (L)
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
USA v Australia 31-31 (D)
York Community Stadium, York
Paramount+
USA v Samoa
September 6 | 8:30 am ET | York Community Stadium, York
CBS, Paramount+
Quarterfinals Begin September 13