USA head coach Sione Fukofuka has made sweeping alterations to his facet forward of their must-win Rugby World Cup assembly with Australia, with the headline name being the omission of veteran centre Alev Kelter.
Kelter drops out of the 23 solely after a difficult outing within the Eagles’ 69–7 loss to England on the opening night time of competitors. The skilled midfielder conceded 5 turnovers, essentially the most of any participant on the pitch, and was despatched to the sin bin for a cynical slap-down within the twenty sixth minute.
In whole, 9 modifications have been made to the squad, together with two positional switches. Amongst them is captain Kate Zackary, who shifts from openside flanker to blindside. The tactical change is designed to deliver extra energy into the contact space, whereas selling Freda Tafuna into the beginning six jersey.
Georgie Perris-Redding, who wore seven towards England, is dropped from the matchday squad.
Among the many notable backline alternatives is that of Emily Henrich, who strikes from the wing into the within centre berth, slotting into Kelter’s vacated position to companion Ilona Maher in midfield. Henrich impressed defensively towards the Pink Roses and is anticipated to offer extra stability on the gainline.
The backline has been additional reshaped with Cassidy Bargell changing Olivia Ortiz at scrumhalf, and each wings rotated. Cheta Emba is introduced in on the fitting wing whereas Erica Coulibaly takes over on the left, pushing out Bulou Mataitoga regardless of her two-line breaks towards England. Lotte Sharp retains the fullback spot after a composed efficiency beneath the excessive ball towards the Pink Roses.
Up front, Hallie Taufoou is promoted to start out at lock, with Tahlia Brody shifting to the bench. Alongside her, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, one of many staff’s busiest attacking threats with 16 carries and the Eagles’ solely attempt final week, maintains her place.
The entrance row of Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, and Keia Mae Sagapolu stays unchanged regardless of conceding a mixed eight penalties. The trio at the moment are tasked with steadying a scrum that functioned at simply 40% on their very own ball towards England.
On the bench, Gabby Cantorna comes into the matchday squad at No. 22 to cowl flyhalf, displacing Kristin Bitter. Brody, Ortiz, and Rachel Ehrecke supply ahead and halfback cowl.
The brutal statistics from the Stadium of Mild clarify why Fukofuka has opted for such radical modifications. The Eagles misplaced 17 turnovers, conceded 12 penalties, and failed to ascertain set-piece stability, successful solely two of their 5 scrums.
They managed simply four-line breaks to England’s 11 and struggled to seek out any inroads into their hosts’ defence regardless of having a comparatively even possession and territory cut up.
In opposition to Australia, the Eagles face a win-or-go-home state of affairs, with England the clear favourites to high the pool. Beginning their marketing campaign with a flourish, the Wallaroos defeated Samoa in record-breaking style, 73 –0. Scoring 11 tries in whole, the Australians noticed breakout performances by Wing Desiree Miller, who scored a hat-trick of tries and teenage sensation Caitlyn Halse.
USA Eagles Line-Up vs Australia
- Hope Rogers
- Kathryn Treder
- Keia Mae Sagapolu
- Hallie Taufoou
- Erica Jarrell-Searcy
- Freda Tafuna
- Kate Zackary (c)
- Rachel Johnson
- Cassidy Bargell
- McKenzie Hawkins
- Erica Coulibaly
- Emily Henrich
- Ilona Maher
- Cheta Emba
- Lotte Sharp
Replacements:
- Paige Stathopoulos
- Alivia Leatherman
- Charli Jacoby
- Rachel Ehrecke
- Tahlia Brody
- Olivia Ortiz
- Gabby Cantorna
- Sariah Ibarra
