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USA, Canada Lineups for Women's Test Friday

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USA, Canada Lineups for Women's Test Friday

Kate Zackary leads the USA again. Photo USA Rugby.

USA Women's 15s Head Coach Rob Cain has made 12 changes to his lineup as the Eagles face Canada for the second time in five days.

The game will be played Friday Nov 5 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. Kickoff is at 6PM MT, 8PM ET. Live stream is here>>

Saher Hamdan (hooker) and Ilona Maher (wing) will start after earning their first cap on Monday. Bulou Mataitoga (wing) and Katana Howard (center) make their first test appearances since 2019, while Kathryn Johnson and Amy Talei Bonte could play for the first time since 2019 if they come in off the bench.

Nick James gets the start at prop with Charli Jacoby on the bench, and it's a similar switch at flanker with Elizabeth Cairns starting in place of Rachel Ehrecke.

Gabby Cantorna replaces Megan Foster at flyhalf.

Hallie Taufoou could earn her first cap as a reserve and Kayla Canett could play her first 15s match since the 2017 Rugby World Cup

Cain's team lost 15-9 to Canada on Monday in a game where the Eagles had chances to score.

Scoring Chances Go Begging as USA WNT Falls to Canada

“Full credit to Canada, they took their limited opportunities and unfortunately we weren't able to when it mattered," said Cain. "Test match rugby is unforgiving. The speed and physicality are at another level and this first test match in 2 years is a very important reminder that we need to get that extra level of precision right in real time when it matters.

“Frustration aside, we got some very positive indications we are on the right road as a team after such a long hiatus from international competition. We got some very important answers to questions in terms of whether individuals could play at this level either for the first time or after such a long time away.

“As a team, with and without the ball, we are making better choices than before, creating more pictures that we want, when we want them. In this next test match, we need to see these pictures quicker and execute at the level we showcase all week in training.

“We are excited for this next group to take these key learnings and implement them in real time as we continue to push on with another improved performance.

“Thank you to all those who supported us in-person on Monday. It was such a special occasion for the players to have you all there. We can't wait to hear from you all again this Friday.”

On the plus side, the Eagle defense was very good, especially in the second half.

Friday allows Coach Cain to continue testing combinations on his roster as players make the transition from Daily Training Environments and intrasquad scrimmages to formal international competition. Canada are a well-coached and talented team who will be more prepared for the Eagles and cold weather conditions in Colorado. Despite all the variables weighing for or against each side, the two rivals have less than a year before they meet at the World Cup in New Zealand, meaning every mistake and opportunity for points counts tenfold in the grand scheme of tactical planning preparation.

USA Lineup to Face Canada
PLAYER POSITION CLUB CAPS
1. Hope Rogers Prop Life West Gladiatrix 30
2. Saher Hamdan Hooker Life University 1
3. Nick James Prop Sale Sharks (ENG) 13
4. Jenny Kronish Lock Beantown RFC 1
5. Kristine Sommer Lock Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) 14
6. Elizabeth Cairns Flanker Life West Gladiatrix 12
7. Rachel Johnson Flanker Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 8
8. Kate Zackary (C) No. 8 Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 16
9. Carly Waters Scrumhalf Saracens (ENG) 5
10. Gabby Cantorna Flyhalf Exeter Chiefs (ENG) 9
11. Bulou Mataitoga Wing Berkeley All Blues 3
12. Katana Howard Center Sale Sharks (ENG) 4
13. Alev Kelter Center USA Sevens 14
14. Ilona Maher Wing USA Sevens 1
15. McKenzie Hawkins Fullback Colorado Gray Wolves 4
16. Catie Benson Reserve Sale Sharks (ENG) 23
17. Charli Jacoby Reserve Loughborough Lightning (ENG) 7
18. Maya Learned Reserve Gloucester Hartpury (ENG) 3
19. Hallie Taufoou Reserve Colorado Gray Wolves Debut
20. Kathryn Johnson Reserve Twin Cities Amazons 2
21. Olivia Ortiz Reserve Davenport, Chicago NS 6
22. Amy Talei Bonte Reserve Life West Gladiatrix 6
23. Kayla Canett Reserve USA Sevens 7

USA Women’s XVs Traveling Staff (Glendale)

Head Coach | Rob Cain
Team Manager | Lou Stewart
Assistant Coach | Jamie Burke
Assistant Coach | Rich Ashfield
Assistant Coach | Kate Daley

Analyst | Callum Howells
Analyst | Caitlin Singletary
Head of Strength & Conditioning | Sylvia Braaten
Strength and Conditioning | Albert Sasu
Lead Athletic Trainer | Hilary Stepansky
Athletic Trainer | Amie Kern
Athletic Trainer | Jade Callan

Meanwhile in the Canada Camp

Canada’s Laetitia Royer and Julia Schell will make their Senior 15s debuts Friday, joining teammates Renee Gonzalez, Sarah-Maude Lachance and Nakisa Levale who made debuts in Monday’s 15-9 win over the Eagles.

“Monday’s result was very encouraging for our group of players and staff,” said Head Coach Sandro Fiorino. “Having back-to-back games gives us an opportunity to properly evaluate the deep and talented roster that we have. I believe this will pay dividends moving forward as we continue to build and refine the team heading into next year’s World Cup.”

Canada Line vs USA

1. Brittany Kassil - Guelph, ON - Guelph Redcoats
2. Laura Russell - Bolton, ON - Toronto Nomads/Cowichan RFC
3. Alex Ellis - Ottawa, ON - Barrhaven Scottish/Saracens
4. Laetitia Royer - Loretteville, QC - Lons Section Paloise/ St-Anne-de-bellevue
5. Tyson Beukeboom - Uxbridge, ON - Cowichan RFC
6. Courtney Holtkamp - Rimbey, AB - Red Deer Titans
7. Karen Paquin - La Ville de Quebec, QC - Club de Rugby de Quebec/Stade Bordelais
8. Sophie de Goede - Victoria, BC - Castaway Wanderers RFC/Queen's University
9. Justine Pelletier - Riviere-du-Loup, QC - Les Lionnes du stade bordelais/ Club de rugby de Quebec
10. Emily Belchos De Goede - Innisfil, ON - Westshore RFC
11. Paige Farries - Red Deer, AB - Worcester Warriors/Westshore RFC
12. Nakisa Levale - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford RFC/
13. Marie Thibault - Quebec, QC - Club de Rugby de Quebec
14. Sarah-Maude Lachance - Victoriaville, QC - Lons Section Paloise Rugby Feminin / Club de Rugby de Quebec
15. Julia Schell - Uxbridge, ON - Guelph Redcoats


RESERVES
16. Veronica Harrigan - Lucan, ON - Brantford Harlequins
17. Mikiela Nelson - North Vancouver, BC - UBC Rugby/Capilano Rugby
18. Emma Taylor - Scotsburn, NS - HRFC
19. DaLeaka Menin - Vulcan, AB - Exeter Chiefs
20. Gabrielle Senft - Regina, SK - Castaway Wanderers/University of Victoria Vikes
21. Alexandra Tessier - Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, QC - Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
22. Brianna Miller - Pointe-Claire, QC - Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue RFC
23. Renee Gonzalez - Toronto, ON - Westshore RFC/University of Victoria Vikes