This is a fascinating match-up between nations ranked seventh and ninth in the world. But within the structures of WXV2, the Eagles sit top of the pile, and they will be intent on proving their right to be there. Though they haven’t found victory easy in recent times, the aim now must be to prove
If ever a game proved the worth of the WXV concept, this was it. Opposites met; the large versus the small (only in the geographical sense); the highest (7th) versus the lowest (15th) in world rankings. A final gap of only ten points showed how the competition is opening new horizons. Though the Eagles haven’t
A sad, bad story concludes Eti Haungatau, the USA centre, has been suspended for five matches by a disciplinary committee. She had been cited after receiving a yellow card for a tackle on Robyn Wilkins, the Wales No 10. After reviewing all the evidence the independent committee of three deemed the tackle to come within
I mentioned a worrying tackle in the Wales v USA match (http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/ 2023/10/01/two-down-three-to-go-wales-prove-their-worth/). On the advice of the TMO, Andrew McMenemy, the referee, Clara Munarini showed USA’s Eti Haungatau a yellow card. It is now known that Haungatau has been cited for dangerous play and will appear before a disciplinary committee consisting of Jennifer Donovan
Cymru v USA Pouring rain in North Wales didn’t bother the Welsh pack who calmed any worries about the power of the American eight with a dominant performance. This was a vital test for the Welsh. Could they continue their advance under the new, more positive conditions the WRU is offering? Yes! The Eagles found
The three lists below indicate the spinning-top that is the USA Eagles campaign at present. To start with, two head coaches are responsible: Rich Ashfield in Ireland only, then Milton Haig takes over for the Wales match and the all-important WXV campaign. The Full List: Catie Benson (Sale), Monalisa Tupou (Life West), Kathryn Treder (Loughborough),
It’s welcome if overdue news that the USA Eagles at last have a new head coach. He is Milton Haig. He has extensive coaching experience dating back to the 1990s. He was head coach of Georgia men’s squad from 2011 to 2019; more recently he has been coaching in Japan. But it’s disturbing to find
Sad news comes from the USA: they are still hunting for a head coach. Rob Cain handed in his notice last January; his place was taken by Richard Ashfield as an interim appointment. He had been assistant to the national team since 2014, so was highly experienced. Winter turned to spring, spring to high summer,
It’s remarkable how you can dress up a massive team restructuring with sweet words. Allan Bunting makes sweeping changes to his starting XV, safe in the knowledge that they can defeat the Eagles with any side he sends out. But diplomacy demands that he camouflages the reasons for picking a new-look side. Many Kiwi fans
Pacific Four Series, Ottawa The Wallaroos demolished the Eagles, to gain their first win over them for two decades. The rest of the world must sit up and take notice. For a squad so lacking international contests, most of the opposition coming from relentless Kiwis, their standard of play reached remarkable heights. From the first,
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