USA Women's 15s Head Coach Rob Cain has named his lineup to face Australia in the 2nd leg of the Pacific FOur Series in New Zealand.
The Eagles are coming off a 36-5 loss to Canada in which Cain started several debutantes and newish players. He did that because several more experienced Eagles were involved in the English Premiership playoffs.
Canada Thumps USA in New Zealand Rain
Among those were Alev Kelter, who scored 13 points in the final to help Saracens win the championship. Kate Zackary, the USA captain, was co-captain of Exeter, which made the final but just fell short. Rachel Johnson started at flanker for the Chiefs in that game as did prop Hope Rogers, center Gabby Cantorna, and wing Jenine Detiveaux.
It was Detiveaux's clutch try the week before that put Exeter into that final, and the winger scored a try in the final, as well—a try nicely set up by Cantorna.
All of these players are in the lineup to take on an Australia team that lost to New Zealand by a creditable 23-10 scoreline. Also in the lineup is Saracens co-captain Lotte Clapp, who earlier this year switched from representing England to representing the USA. This is possible because World Rugby ammended Regulation 8, allowing a player to switch countries if the player, player's parents, or player's grandparents were born in that country.
Clapp's mother is American; she will earn her first official cap for the USA when she suits up at fullback for the Eagles. Zackary will be the captain, and
Five players who have been playing Premiership rugby will be on the bench, including Saracens scrumhalf Carly Waters and Exeter flyhalf Megan Foster.
Cain gave a nod to the players who played against Canada and have now returned to the USA: Sam Sullivan, McKenzie Hawkins, Amy Bonte, and Shelby Linn.
“Thank you to Amy, Mckenzie, Shelby and Sam who have now left New Zealand. They really added to the group and all left their mark. Our new arrivals have come in excited, eager and have matched the original groups energy on the ground in terms of their focus. To now have 28 players on the ground has added a great dynamic to our three training days benefitting all the players."
Now the Eagles face Australia for the first time since the 2014 Rugby World Cup.
“Australia are a real threat and have shown over the last two months and three test matches in that window that they can win both the physical battle, kicking battle and enjoy playing to the wide spaces when they are given the opportunity," said Cain. "It’s the first time we have had this match day squad together as a collective, and even though we have only had three days together, we are already starting to see combinations and experience come together.
“As a Collective we are looking to put our best foot forward against Australia, we didn’t ask enough questions of Canada in the middle part of the game and this game gives the players the perfect platform to remedy this so soon.”
