The Eagle Props Talk
The Eagle Props Talk
Goff Rugby Report correspondent Tara Flanagan is with the USA women's team in England for the World Cup, and she sat down with USA props Alivia Leatherman and Keia Mae Sagapolu.
The game against England was tough, but both players came out of it feeling like they had learned something, but also a feeling of awe at being at this event.
For Leatherman, shaking off that feeling in order to play was important.
"There were definitely times when you could feel the energy and hear the people," Leatherman told Flanagan. "I was definitely trying my best not to, like, let it distract me and to hear it too much while I went on. I was feeling a little overwhelmed and I didn't want to overwhelm myself anymore by looking around and seeing all those people there. So I kind of just ran on and was focused on my next job."
That's crucial.
Sagapolu said she and the team are taking special lessons from the England game and focusing now on Australia.
The key was Tuesday, where they worked on units, and then followed that up with a combat session. Tuesday was hugely intense.
"Today, earlier in units, we just competed and it just felt like two of the best teams in the world were going against each other," Sagapolu said, and then she looked ahead to the combat session. "Full bosh. Everyone's going to full send-it, and I feel like you can't not full send-it because not only are you not helping the other person prep, but this is your time to showcase. Every combat session should always feel harder than the game itself, and that's what we're trying to replicate."
USA plays Australia Saturday, August 30 at 2:300PM ET.