USA U20s Beat Wales in Canada

The USA Rugby Women’s U23 Team is 1-0 on its Canadian tour, celebrating July 4 with a 28-27 win against Wales U20s in Richmond, Ontario. The USA will play its second and final game against host Canada on July 8, a match that will serve as a curtain-raiser for the USA vs. Australia Pacific Four test.

RELATED: USA U20 Roster vs. Wales

Both sides struggled with ball retention early on, as players sorted their connections in open play and fought off hungry defenders at the ruck. But Wales strung enough passes together to put Nel Metcalfe into a little space on the sideline. A slipped tackle later and the wing was into the try zone: 5-0.

Future Sacred Heart freshman Woods to Schmitt / Photo: USA Rugby

Really back and forth for the subsequent 20 minutes, and while changes in possession happened frequently, one thing remained constant: The USA scrum. Even late in the match, the pack was able to push Wales off its ball and it was the USA’s biggest weapon. The lineouts were 50/50 for both sides. Nikki Lynch (Brown) did well to get hands on the ball during defensive lineouts and twice found Olivia Woods (Eagle HS, Idaho) with a tip pass off the top.

The USA’s first try started with a Wales lineout. Tiahna Padilla (Harvard) got over the ball for the steal and drew a penalty. The tap went to former Fallbrook teammate AJ Haughey for a nice gain, and then Alissa Eisenhart (Army) and Ashley Cowdrey (Davenport) teamed up for a solid break into Wales territory. Scrumhalf Sadie Schier (Dartmouth) was quick in support but sustained an injury in the chase and had to leave the game. Salome Schmitt (Queens) came on at 9.

Padilla through contact / Photo: USA Rugby

Wales was attempting to run out of its 22 and a loose ball out the ruck saw Kambria Hartrick (BYU) pounce. The ball moved wide for a back-and-forth between Katelyn Walker (Dartmouth) and Sereana Vualono (Chicago Lions), who have great giddy-up. Amelia Clarke (Princeton) nearly dove over and then Lynch picked from the base for the try. Eisenhart kicked the first of four conversions for the 7-5 lead.

The USA was back in attacking territory, after Haughey perfectly timed a flat pass to Sia Meni (Dartmouth) for a big break. This drive peaked with a five-meter lineout, but Wales got lucky when the driving maul nicked touch, affording a turnover. The ball was cleared down field, knocked on, and Wales reset play with a scrum in good position.

Front jumper Lennox London / Photo: USA Rugby

Then that USA pack put the shove on and earned a penalty. Cowdrey kicked downfield and relocated play to Wales’ 22. The teams took turns stealing each other’s lineouts, but the USA made better use of its ball. Cowdrey, Cindy Taulava (Pleasanton Cavaliers, Calif.), Lynch and Haughey all took turns gaining meters. Lennox London (Harvard) then picked to the weak side and lofted a pass to Vualono hitting the line at great pace for the try: 14-5 with Eisenhart’s extras.

Wales was looking good for a second try as the half ended, but good defense and a clutch clearance from Haughey relieved pressure. Padilla was on the chase and forced a knock-on that essentially quelled that scoring threat: 14-5 into the break.

Fallbrook’s AJ Haughey is heading to Life Univ. / Photo: USA Rugby

The USA scored two tries in the opening minutes of the second half. Wales received the kickoff and booted the ball downfield, where Cowdrey was able to gather it cleanly. The fullback aimed the counter-attack toward the broken defense out wide, weaving through traffic and then taking the corner around the opposing sweeper for the try. Eisenhart added the extras for the 21-5 lead, and was back on the tee about a minute later.

Vualono took the restart, took contact and got the pass off to Lynch. The lock sent a flat pass to Padilla on the sideline and the center pulled away for the 50-meter try. Eisenhart converted for the 28-5 lead.

Eisenhart was perfect off the tee / Photo: USA Rugby

As stunning as that flurry of activity was, Wales’ furious response was equally as impressive. Outside of scrums, Wales dictated the pace and intensity of play. There were notable performances off the USA bench – in particular from prop Akilah Cathey (Brown) – but Wales had the gas for four tries through fullback Bethan Adkins, outside center Ellie Tromans, and reserves Masie Davies and Sian Jones. But Wales only converted one of five tries (through Metcalfe), whereas Eisenhart was a perfect 4-4. That was the difference on the scoresheet, and the USA U20s kept its perfect record against the Wales U20s intact with the 28-27 win.

The USA U20s have one more match this Saturday against Canada U20s, and will open for the Eagles vs. Australia at TD Place. The senior game will be live-streamed on FloRugby but TBD on the U20 match.