Hunger For More Drives Eagles vs Canada

04.23.2026Eagles

Georgie Perris-Redding goes to the line for the USA. Photo USA Rugby.

Author: Alex Goff

Beating Australia last week basically assured that the USA women will graduate to the WXV 1 tournament.

So they would be forgiven for feeling elated, maybe even relieved, But Eagles captain Eric Jarrell-Searcy told GRR that the team isn't really thinking that way.

"Celebration, absolutely," said Jarrell-Searcy. "I think the group has really wanted to celebrate wins as they've come, but, you know, it's funny you mention relief. I think we're in a place where we're not looking to breathe sighs of relief for beating the team that's 8th on the table. We want to beat the top teams. So going into this weekend, rather than patting ourselves on the back and looking over our shoulder at what we already did, we're trying to create a similar picture of dominance against a higher-ranked team."

There's not relief, she added, the feeling is that of hunger.

Bringing the momentum off of a big win, we’re ready for Friday night 🏉

🎟️ USA v CAN ➡️ https://t.co/HclraWiVSI
📺 @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/2Eni4h9UKM
— USA Rugby (@USARugby) April 22, 2026

This is something of an attitudinal change within the team—not for some players, but it has taken over the squad. That's why, as the Eagles led Australia, they continued to push for tries and put the Wallaroos away.

"I think it was a really good performance, especially with the weather," said Head Coach Jack Hanratty. "We tried to play rugby. I thought we saw really good space, and we tried to get it there, and manipulate that space, and I thought we looked really comfortable with the ball with multiple phases."

Pacific Four Pacific Four Standings April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026

Pacific Four

Hanratty has made some changes to this week's lineup. Mae Sagapolu just needs a rest, and Alivia Leatherman was outstanding on defense when she came on against Australia, so she gets a start.

where I think the defense, had to do something for us to get a good picture, so I'd probably love to see, kind of, the screenshots in front of us a bit quicker this week, and we know… we know the level of ferocity Canada will bring, so we've got to make sure our ball in contact is better, for sure.

Abigail Paton gets the start because she's been knocking on the door for a while. But, overall, this is the same lineup for the Eagles. And why not? Their performance against New Zealand was one of their best in some time, and they beat an Australia team they tied just a few months ago.

Now they have to overcome rivals Canada.

"We talk a lot on defense about meeting momentum with momentum," said Hanratty. "Canada is a team that likes to get gainline and then capitalize off of quick ball from that. I think a lot of teams are trying to do that, but it's something that Canada have showcased for a few years now, and so we're really just looking to front-up physically, and sort of ask the questions of them physically."

USA vs Canada 8:30 pm ET, 7:30PM CT, SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, Ill.

Also live on Paramount+