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eagles.rugby – USA Rugby Women’s National Team Head Coach Jack Hanratty and staff have shook up the match-day 23 for this Saturday’s rematch against host South Africa. The match will take place at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. ET. [lead photo: Deon van Der Merwe for USA Rugby]
Last Saturday, the USA rallied after a tough opening, finding their rhythm in the latter half to score three tries. Notably, debutants Ashley Cowdrey and Elizabeth Cook both scored their first international tries, while Freda Tafuna scored the first and Bella Vogel slotted all three conversions. Building on that second-half momentum, Hanratty has shuffled the deck for the tour finale.
Elizabeth Cook comes into the front row at tighthead prop after her standout try-scoring performance off the bench. In the second row, Emerson Allen joins Hallie Taufoou while Hann Humphreys steps into the flanker position, joining forces with Freda Tafuna and captain Georgie Perris-Redding in the back row.
A revamped halfback pairing sees Olivia Ortiz start at scrumhalf alongside Kristin Bitter at flyhalf, with Bella Vogel moving to inside center and Tessa Hann at 13. The backline shifts see Telesi Uhatafe move to the wing, Ashley Cowdrey shifting to fullback, and Bulou Mataitoga at 14. Chloe Hill-Huse who currently plays for Sunnybank Rugby Club has been selected for the second act poised to make her USA debut.
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Hanratty commented on the squad adjustments and the lessons carried over from Ellis Park:
“Ellis Park delivered the challenge we expected from South Africa. They opened with ferocity and intent and we didn’t match it. We had some good impact from some of our less experienced players but ultimately it was moments and not momentum.
“Looking ahead at Pretoria, our focus all week has been on executing excellence and delivering for the full 80 minutes, and we’re excited to see this group chase the result we know we are capable of.”
“This group is brilliant at learning from moments and we learned a lot on Saturday. The challenge now will be how much we learned from this week of learning.”
The match will kick off this Saturday, July 11 at 7:30 a.m. ET on Paramount+. Fans can replay last week’s action from Johannesburg via RugbyPassTV.
USA ROSTER v SOUTH AFRICA
1. Hope Rogers (62 caps)
2. Kathryn Treder (38)
3. Elizabeth Cook (1)
4. Emerson Allen (3)
5. Hallie Taufoou (34)
6. Hann Humphreys (4)
7. Georgie Perris-Redding (C) (22)
8. Freda Tafuna (21)
9. Olivia Ortiz (31)
10. Kristin Bitter (11)
11. Telesi Uhatafe (4)
12. Bella Vogel (4)
13. Tessa Hann (6)
14. Bulou Mataitoga (32)
15. Ashley Cowdrey (1)
16. Chloe Hill-Huse* (0)
17. Alivia Leatherman(14)
18. Reece Woods (4)
19. Rachel Ehrecke (27)
20. Kapoina Bailey (5)
21. Taina Tukuafu (14)
22. Katana Howard (26)
23. Alev Kelter (37)
TOUR RESULTS
SAT JULY 4
@ Ellis Park, Johannesburg, RSA
South Africa 43-21 USA
SAT JULY 11
@ Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, RSA
7:30 a.m. ET USA vs. South Africa
STAFF
Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Michael Deasy | Head of Athletic Performance
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Mia Pelton | Athletic Trainer
Abigail Hamilton | Team Physician
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Rudy Betancourt | Videographer
SCHEDULE
SAT OCT 17
@ Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, Mansfield, TX
5 p.m. CT USA vs Italy
SAT OCT 24
@ GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
3:15 p.m. ET USA vs Italy
FRI OCT 30
@ Sports Illustrated Stadium, Newark, NJ
5:15 p.m. ET USA vs England