USA RUGBY — The USA Rugby Women’s National Team (WNT) faced France in Round 2 of the WXV 1 in Langley, B.C., Canada, ultimately falling 14-22 but demonstrating resilience and growth as they gear up for their next game against Ireland on Oct. 11 at 12:30 p.m. PT. [lead photo: Rich Lam – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images]
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The match marked special milestones for Tess Feury, who earned her 30th cap, and Alev Kelter, who celebrated her 25th.
Comments from Head Coach Sione Fukofuka:
“Each time we got into our end zone, we were really close to capitalizing which was great, and at the end we scored points with [sic] was fantastic. We really wanted to play 80 minutes and close out the back end, and our players who came off the bench today had a real positive impact and allowed us to close off that gap with France in the end.
“We look to be a little bit more expressive with the ball, so the ball shift in the middle of the field. I was pretty happy with our decision making. Clearly I would like more opportunities in the A zone so we’ll be pushing for that more next week.”
Match Recap
The game kicked off with the Eagles showing early aggression, but France quickly regained possession, showcasing their speed and tactical prowess. Alev Kelter made her presence felt early in the ruck, turning over the ball and allowing the Eagles to push into French territory. Cheta Emba demonstrated her skills on the wing but was wrestled into touch while attempting an offload, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter.
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As the first half progressed, the match saw a series of exchanges, with both teams struggling with penalties and handling errors. France took an early lead with a penalty kick, capitalizing on a USA mistake. The Eagles responded with determined defense, but France managed to score the first try, exploiting space out wide and showcasing their quick ball movement.
Midway through the first half, the Eagles pushed hard for a try, and Kathryn Treder crossed the line, only to have her effort called back after a TMO review due to a maul penalty. This left the USA trailing 0-14 as they headed into the break, reflecting on missed opportunities and areas for improvement.
The second half began with renewed energy for the Eagles. They quickly won back possession and earned a lineout, showcasing their intent to attack. However, France continued to apply pressure and soon scored another try, extending their lead. Compounding the challenge, Hallie Taufoou received a yellow card, leaving the Eagles to defend against a determined French side.
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Despite being down a player, the USA’s defense held strong, managing to contain France and not conceding any points during this crucial period. The Eagles capitalized on this momentum, launching a fast-paced attack. Rachel Johnson broke through the French line to score, energizing the team and the crowd.
In a dramatic conclusion, Hallie Taufoou returned from her yellow card to score a great game-ending try, showcasing her impact and determination. While the final score was 14-22 in favor of France, the USA’s performance, particularly in the second half, demonstrated significant improvement and tenacity.
Looking ahead to their crucial match against Ireland, the Eagles will need to clean up their discipline, as penalties and handling errors proved costly in this match. The lessons learned from facing France will be vital as they continue their journey in WXV 1, aiming to build on their resilience and capitalize on their strengths.
USA Roster v France
| NAME | CLUB | CAPS |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Hope Rogers | Exeter Chiefs | 49 |
| 2. Kathryn Treder | Loughborough Lightning | 24 |
| 3. Charli Jacoby | Exeter Chiefs | 31 |
| 4. Erica Jarrell | Sale Sharks | 12 |
| 5. Hallie Taufoou | Loughborough Lightning | 21 |
| 6. Tahlia Brody | Leicester Tigers | 14 |
| 7. Kate Zackary (C) | Ealing Trailfinders | 39 |
| 8. Rachel Johnson (VC) | Exeter Chiefs | 31 |
| 9. Taina Tukuafu | Berkeley All Blues | 12 |
| 10. McKenzie Hawkins | Colorado Gray Wolves | 19 |
| 11. Lotte Sharp | Saracens | 17 |
| 12. Gabby Cantorna | Exeter Chiefs | 31 |
| 13. Alev Kelter | Loughborough Lightning | 25 |
| 14. Cheta Emba | USA Sevens | 11 |
| 15. Bulou Mataitoga | Loughborough Lightning | 20 |
| 16. Paige Stathopoulos | Beantown RFC | 12 |
| 17. Maya Learned | Colorado Gray Wolves | 14 |
| 18. Keia Mae Sagapolu | Leicester Tigers | 13 |
| 19. Rachel Ehrecke | Colorado Gray Wolves | 17 |
| 20. Tessa Hann | Colorado Gray Wolves | 2 |
| 21. Cassidy Bargell | Beantown RFC | 3 |
| 22. Nana Fa’avesi | USA Sevens | 9 |
| 23. Tess Feury (VC) | Leicester Tigers | 30 |
USA Staff
Head Coach | Sione Fukofuka
Assistant Coach | Mel Bosman
Assistant Coach | Sarah Chobot
Team Doctor | Rebecca Rodriguez (Week 1)
Team Doctor | Marvin Valencia (Week 2&3)
Lead Physiotherapist | Emily Lauer
Physiotherapist | Sam Malette
Head of Athletic Performance | Charles Dudley
Performance Recovery Coach | Sylvia Braaten
Lead Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Team Manager | Lindsay Wilson
USA Schedule
USA v England | 21-61 (L)
TRIES | A. Kelter (2), K. Zackary
CONV | M. Hawkins (3)
USA v France 14-22 (L)
TRIES | R. Johnson, H. Taufoou
CONV | M. Hawkins (2)
FRI Oct 11 @ 12:30 p.m. PT (local time)
USA v Ireland
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