USA head coach Sione Fukofuka makes two changes to his pack and three to his backline, plus two positional switches for the Pool A match against Australia at York Community Stadium on Saturday, August 30.
The Eagles go with the same front row that began against England: Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, and Keia Mae Sagapolu. Tahlia Brody moves to the bench and will be replaced by Hallie Taufoou, bringing in a very mobile lock who has good lineut potential. She partners with the USA's lone try-scorer from the opener, Erica Jarrell-Searcy.
Freda Tafuna comes in at blindside flanker, adding some aggression to the equation as she lines up with captain Kate Zackary, who moves to openside, and No. 8 Rachel Johnson.
Cassidy Bargell replaces Olivia Ortiz at scrumhalf while Erica Coulibaly comes in for Bulou Mataitoga on the wing. Her breakaway capability will be something the Eagles want to see.
Emily Henrich comes off the wing to take over from Alev Kelter at inside center. Kelter earned a red card for stomping in the USA's loss to Australia earlier this year. Lotte Sharp is at fullback. All of that leaves a space open on the wing, and power-running Cheta Emba takes that.
Great comments from Emily Henrich on her try vs. Fiji and the broader implications of it. @DartmouthWRugbypic.twitter.com/mJBLCecNzz
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) August 18, 2025
Overall this is a bit more of an attacking flair team, one that gains ground and is, overall, more mobile. The Eagles had more possession than England in their opening match, and many, many more carries. And while they did gain more ground than England, they failed to do so at crucial moments, while England's breaks were finished off. That implies a need for speed in support lines and quicker ball recycle when line breaks don't immediately score.
Wallaroos Head Coach Jo Yapp brings experienced quartet Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Annabelle Codey, and Trilleen Pomare into the matchday 23 against the USA. Naden replaces Katalina Amosa, who moves to the bench, with Adiana Talakai dropping out of the side. Kavoa and Codey come in for Brianna Hoy and Ashley Fernandez, respectively. Prop Bridie O’Gorman has been promoted to the starting 15 with Asoiva Karpani joining Amosa on the bench.
Former captain Michaela Leonard will play in the second row in her 40th Test, becoming just the third player in Wallaroos history behind Pomare and Ashley Marsters to go past the personal milestone.
These two teams have played nine times since starting in 197. The USA has won six of those, but are 1-2 in the last three meetings. That includes a 29-17 loss to the Wallaroos in Canberra this year when Kelter was red-carded and Hope Rogers scored three tries. Interestingly, these two teams have never faced each other on United States ground.
This game, live on Paramount+ August 30, 2:30PM ET, is basically for a place in the quarterfinals.
