USA coach Rob Cain has named his team for the Rugby World Cup 2021 quarterfinal against Canada at Waitakere Stadium on 30 October (11:30PM ET October 29 for fans in the USA).
1. Hope Rogers 2. JoJo Kitlinski 3. Nick James 4. Kristine Sommer 5. Evi Ashenbrucker 6. Kathryn Johnson 7. Rachel Johnson 8. Kate Zackary (captain) 9. Carly Waters 10. Gabriella Cantorna 11. Lotte Clapp 12. Alev Kelter 13. Eti Haungatau 14. Jennine Detiveaux 15. Tess Feury
Reserves: 16. Kathryn Treder 17. Catherine Benson 18. Charli Jacoby 19. Jenny Kronish 20. Bitsy Cairns 21. Bridget Kahele 22. Katana Howard 23. Meya Bizer
Cains has made no changes from the team that dropped a competitive 29-14 decision to Canada last weekend.
Prop Hope Rogers will play her 41st test to become the second most-capped Women's Eagles player behind current assistant coach Jamie Burke (51). Fellow prop Nick James and second-row Kristine Sommer will both play their 25th tests for the Women’s Eagles
This will be the fourth start of Rugby World Cup 2021 for eight players: Hope Rogers, Joanna Kitlinski, Rachel Johnson, captain Kate Zackary, Gabriella Cantorna, Alev Kelter, Eti Haungatau and Jennine Detiveaux
USA need five points to become the third nation – after New Zealand and England – to score 1,300 points in Rugby World Cup history, and are looking to make the semifinals in back-to-back World Cups since 1991-1994-1998. But they will need to beat a Canadian team the Eagles haven't defeated in six test matches—not since they won 20-18 in the Women's Super Series in 2019.
“We’ve played them so many times, we’ve typically come on the losing end of that, so our time is coming," said Cain. "We’re building something special and if that’s next week then it’s our week so it’s time to shine. Happy to do this again, that’s pretty much it.”
“Looking forward to our second chance against Canada this weekencoacontinued Cain. "The team is really vibing and had a great week. Another opportunity to go out against Canada is actually our best-case scenario for quarterfinals. I think a few people thought it might be strange and wanted us to take on someone else, but for us here in camp, getting another opportunity to right some wrongs from last week and to get the best of them in the quarterfinals here at the Rugby World Cup is what we are looking to do. I am really proud of the team for the work we’re putting in.”
“It means a lot for us to be going to the quarterfinals," added fullback Tess Feury. "It’s been a long five-year cycle with a lot of work being put in by players, staff and the whole USA rugby community. So, to be able to make the quarter-final and really set a platform for us to showcase the best rugby we’ve played and really have a good performance is just an exciting opportunity.”
