The USA Women’s 15s team snapped a seven-game test match losing streak in Auckland Sunday, holding off Australia 16-14 to win their second-round game in the Pacific Four Series.
Playing on what was, for USA-based fans, Saturday night, the Eagles controlled field position for most of the game and produced multiple scoring chances. With overseas professionals back, the USA showed a lot more grit and power in the contact area. With tackles repeatedly driving Australian runners backward, the USA was able to pin the Aussies in their own 22 for almost the entire first 20 minutes.
However, they came away with no points. It wasn't until Australia finally broke out, only to turn the ball over, did the Eagles get going. Wing JJennine Detiveaux broke down the sideline but didn't have a lot of support with her—scrumhalf Bridget Kahele did chase her down, so the attack didn't produce a try.
But eventually, thanks to prop Hope Rogers ripping the ball free, they got a penalty. Flyhalf Gabby Cantorna, whose experience being Exeter's main goalkicker in the English Premiership has done her much good, calmly slotted the tough-angle kick.
Right after that the Eagles returned to exerting pressure, and after taking a lineout looked to maul it over. Australia was penalized for collapsing the maul on more than one occasion, got a yellow card, and after a couple of tap moves, Rogers crashed over. It was a key try, but it also highlights how the Eagles had space out wide and opted not to use it. The effort was there, but maybe not the vision. Cantorna converted to make it 10-0 and that's how it stood until just before halftime.
The USA once again earned a penalty at the Australian 22 and with no time left in the half called on Cantorna to do the job, and she was successful again to make it 13-0.
The wind seemed to pick up in the second half, affecting the kicking game a bit but the weather was much superior to the rain-soaked match against Canada. At 55 minutes another penalty chance offered itself but center Alev Kelter's kick was blown wide. The Wallaroos caught the ball and looked to kick clear but Kelter, chasing her kick, charged it down.
More pressure and another penalty, and Cantorna was called on to do the honors and she slotted the goal for a 16-0 lead.
But all that time in Australia territory and only one try to show for it looked like it might come back to bite the Egles.
Georgie Fredrichs scored for Australia on a play that was TMO reviewed and given. As changes were made the USA was defending their line desperately.
Finally, late in the contest, the Aussies mauled over their second try to make it 16-14.
Nearing the end of the match, both teams went to the kicking game where an Australian reply kick went over Bulou Mataitoga’s head, forcing her to chase it backwards and rush the clearing kick to touch.
Australia had an attacking lineout, but couldn't make it pay as the Eagles forced a turnover, and then run out the clock.
“Honestly it’s just super good to be back with the team after missing the first game against Canada, but I’m so proud of what we’re working on and building towards that World Cup final. It’s one game at a time and I couldn’t be more proud right now," said captain and No. 8 Kate Zackary.
Rogers was named player of the game for her scrummaging, the try, her defense, and her punishing runs. She earned the honor six years to the day after she was named the first MA Sorensen Award winner as the nation's top collegiate rugby player.
“Credit to Australia," said USA Head Coach Rob Cain, "they really tested both our nerve and skill sets in that final 20 minutes, to see the game out really showed our toughness today. The defensive effort was immense today, it was great win. We will enjoy that one. It’s great to not just get the win, but to also show some key improvements across the areas that didn’t fire from last week. It was a very commanding performance for 55-60 minutes, we created a lot of pressure and suffocated Australia, and we won the physical battle.
‘The neutral would have had a great experience as Australia came back into the game and as well as they played to do this, it was down to us not always getting points from the pressure we created. We will review, add to what we did well and look at how we can improve where we need to with another three sessions together as group. Cohesion is an important factor and knowing we have six more days here in New Zealand and another 38 days for our Rugby World Cup preseason with some test matches shows that we really are at the start of our preparations.
We are immensely proud of the group, their hard work got the reward today. The non selected really set the tone this week and best prepared the team, whilst the team on field showed a real toughness that created the platform for their success today.”
All positives aside, the USA needs to find more ways to score.
