Pacific Four
The first step on the road to another Pacific Four Series.
The two sides meet in Kansas City on Saturday. Canada are on a winning streak on nine. Last year they demolished the Eagles 50-7 in Vancouver.
USA Rugby were delighted to see the number of tickets sold. The attendance was likely to double the previous record. If this reminds you of Bristol Bears, there’s a reason. Sione Fukofuka has managed to squeeze Ilona Maher into his starting side. She’ll play alongside Alev Kelter to offer one of the more formidable centre pairings in world rugby.
All the spectators who bought a ticket in the hope of seeing their Insta hero can breathe a sigh of relief. Then Emily Scarratt may contact her with a reminder that No 13 is the trickiest position on the field from a defensive point of view.
Both head coaches are playing the long game. They have three fixtures lined up in this series in which to give as many players as possible a chance, and to experiment with combinations. Just like the 6 Nations, it allows the four sets of selectors to survey the talent on display. And because the series runs closer to the dates in England, it offers a more compact summer schedule.
Kévin Rouet has the advantage of knowing his side is tipped to win. Of the spine of the team, 2, 8, 9 10, 15, only Gillian Boag is unlikely to remain a starter for the biggest matches to come. With the skipper Alex Tessier posted at 10 not 12, Julia Schell’s place has to be at the back. The bench looks very strong
There is still hope that the long-term captain, Sophie de Goede, may yet be fit in time for the World Cup. For the moment it’s best for the team to pretend they don’t need her anyway.
The hope must be that the Eagles can put up a much stronger show than last year. They have plenty of experience, but the writing was on the wall last week when the visiting Sakura side from Japan won a high-scoring but tight game 39-33 in Los Angeles. Sione Fukofuka knows he still has hard work ahead to get the team operating smoothly together. Both he and his captain, Kate Zackary, felt the team lost its focus and cohesion. An early lead was frittered away.
It will be a great day for Hope Rogers, as her 52th cap will mark a new Eagles’ record.
How long before the Canadian players will all be qualified to play under USA colours? Only joking, I hope.
Teams
USA
1 Hope Rogers 2 Kathryn Treder 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu 4 Hallie Taufoou 5 Erica Jarrell 6 Tahlia Brody 7 Kate Zackary (captain) 8 Rachel Johnson 9 Olivia Ortiz 10 McKenzie Hawkins 11 *Erica Coulibaly 12 Alev Kelter 13 Ilona Maher 14 Emily Henrich 15 Bulou Mataitoga
16 Paige Stathopoulos 17 Maya Learned 18 Charli Jacoby 19 Rachel Ehrecke 20 Freda Tafuna 21 Taina Tukuafu 22 Gabby Cantorna 23 Nicole Heavirland
*uncapped
Canada
1 Brittany Kassil 2 Gillian Boag 3 Rori Wood 4 Rachel Smith 5 Laetitia Royer 6 Fabiola Forteza 7 karen Paquin 8 Gabrielle Senft 9 Justine Pelletier 10 Alex Tessier (captain) 11 Krissy Scurfield 12 Taylor Perry 13 Shoahanah Seumanutafa 14 Fancy Bermudez 15 Julia Schell
16 Emily Tuttosi 17 Mikiela Nelson 18 DaLeaka Menin 19 Courtney O’Donnell (née Holtkamp) 20 Tyson Beukeboom 21 Julia Omokhuale 22 Sarah-Maude Lachance 23 Claire Gallagher
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
Match details:
Date: 3 May
Kick-off: 20.30 ET
Venue: the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City. It is brand new and situated tight against the Missouri River.
