GRR: Eagle Women
In what was by far ... by far ... the most entertaining and tension-filled match of the Women's Rugby World Cup so far, the USA and Australia tied 31-31 in York.
This game had everything, was very well played by both teams, and hinged in the end on a couple of unlucky conversion kicks.
The USA Eagles jersey ceremony last night at the York Hilton was standing room only as family, friends, and Eagles past and present, including Krista McFarren, Jan Rutkowski, and myself from the 1991 World Cup Championship team, and Eagle legendary prop and USA Rugby Board Member Jamie Burke, watched the starting 15 and reserves get their jerseys for the USA vs Australia match.
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.
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.
England thundered past the USA in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup, highlighting both the strengths of the host nation and World Cip contender, and the issues facing a USA team that's just simply not at that level.