USA RUGBY – Interim Head Coach Rich Ashfield made a few changes from last week’s roster as the USA Women’s Eagles face World Champions New Zealand in their final match in the 2023 Pacific Four Series. [USA Rugby photo]
The winner will determine if the Eagles will join the Black Ferns at WXV1 or head to Cape Town, South Africa, for WXV2.
Rachel Ehrecke and Charli Jacoby join the starting roster in the forwards, and Summer Harris-Jones is named to the left wing position. Erica Jarrell has an opportunity to make her tournament debut as a finisher on Friday. Georgie Perris-Redding will act as vice captain for the match. USA v. New Zealand kicks off Friday, July 14, at 4 p.m. ET, live on FloRugby.
The Black Ferns have been a dominant force in the last two seasons, with a record win over England at the 2021 Rugby World Cup, played last fall. With learnings from last week’s loss against Australia, the USA will look to improve small details and communication heading into Friday.
In partnership with Mastercard, The World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2023 schedule optimizes and complements the existing women’s domestic and international competition calendars for 2023. The cross-regional, international competition also acts as one of the principal annual qualification routes for the top two tiers of WXV with the top three placed teams qualifying for WXV 1 and the fourth-placed team securing a place in WXV 2.
Comments from interim head coach Rich Ashfield:
“We are fully aware of the team the Black Ferns are and where we are as a group looking to build and grow. We hope to see improvements in the small details this week that we think can have an impact for us moving forward as we look to WXV. We are confident we can cause the Black Ferns some problems with our physicality and pace.
“Coming from WPL or U23 is a big jump to international level, all the players involved in this tour have gained a lot both on and off the field from this experience. Some have never played senior rugby before, some have never been away from home for so long, so it creates lots of different challenges. What has been clear though with all of the players is once they get on the pitch they are willing to work and fight. Hopefully with time and experience together we can start to form a formidable group of players.”
USA Women’s Eagles Roster | USA v NZL
| Name | Club | Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Catie Benson | Sale Sharks | 35 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | DMP Sharks | 11 |
| 3. Charli Jacoby | Exeter Chiefs | 19 |
| 4. Rachel Ehrecke | DMP Sharks | 5 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Beantown | 9 |
| 6. Paluvava’u Freda Tafuna | Lindenwood Univ | 1 |
| 7. Georgie Perris-Redding (VC) | Sale Sharks | 8 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson | Exeter Chiefs | 20 |
| 9. Taina Tukuafu | Lindenwood Univ | 1 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins | Colorado Gray Wolves | 11 |
| 11. Summer Harris-Jones | USA Sevens | 1 |
| 12. Eti Haungatau | Sale Sharks | 11 |
| 13. Kate Zackary (C) | Exeter Chiefs | 30 |
| 14. Jennine Detiveaux | Knoxville Minx | 16 |
| 15. Tess Feury | Leicester Tigers | 17 |
| 16. Jett Hayward | Life West | 3 |
| 17. Mona Tupou | EPA Lady Razorbacks | 1 |
| 18. Tiara A’au | Rhino Academy | 1 |
| 19. Evelyn Ashenbrucker | San Diego Surfers | 10 |
| 20. Erica Jarrell * | Beantown RFC | 0 |
| 21. Olivia Ortiz | DMP Sharks | 15 |
| 22. Joanne Fa’avesi | USA Sevens | 5 |
| 23. Meya Bizer | DMP Sharks | 28 |
*Indicates uncapped player
USA Women’s Eagles Traveling Staff
Interim Head Coach | Richard Ashfield
Assistant Coach | Katie Dowty
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley
Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Head Athletic Trainer | Katherine Henry
Athletic Trainer | Ken Look
Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Team Doctor | Chau But
Team Doctor | Rachel Sachs-Bourne
Team Manager | Tim Westwood
Team Manager | Tiffany Lopez
Assistant Coach/Consultant | Mouritz Botha