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The USA will take some much-needed confidence into their final Pacific Four match against New Zealand on Friday. After running out to a strong lead, they held on to beat Australia which put an end to an eight-test losing streak.
It will take something special to turn over the Black Ferns. In 13 times of asking the USA has just one victory to show for, a 7-nil result at Cardiff in April 1991. The Eagles haven’t come within 30 points of New Zealand since that day.
Rob Cain has made four changes to the run-on side that faced the Wallaroos, though just one in the pack. Kristine Sommer comes in for Hallie Taufo’ou at lock with Evi Ashenbrucker and Georgie Perris-Redding added to the bench.
It’s all change in the halfbacks with Carly Waters and Megan Foster taking over from Bridget Kahele and Gabby Cantorna, both of whom are among the reserves. Tess Feury starts on the wing in place of Jennine Detiveaux, with Meya Bizer wearing the No23 shirt.
There are comprehensive changes for the Black Ferns, with only six players retained from the starting lineup that shut out Canada. Hooker Natalie Delamere makes her test debut with backup tighthead prop Lucy Anderson also set to win a first cap.
Veteran scrumhalf Kendra Cocksedge drops to the bench with Arihiana Marino Tauhino partnering captain Ruahei Demant. Teenage sensation Sylvia Brunt gets her first start after impressing off the bench against the Canadians.
The Eagles will have noted the power of New Zealand’s ball carriers and will need to close them down behind the gainline to stand a chance. On top of the athletic challenge, there is a psychological hurdle to overcome that stifled the Canadians. Expect New Zealand to get the win but if the USA can at least find the scoreboard they will have achieved more than their North American rivals.
Kickoff is set for 9pm Pacific, midnight eastern. A live broadcast can be found on the World Rugby website or YouTube page.
NEW ZEALAND
1 Phillipa Love, 2 Natalie Delamere, 3 Leilani Perese, 4 Joanah Nhan-Woo, 5 Chelsea Bremner, 6 Alana Bremner, 7 Kendra Reynolds, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9 Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu, 10 Ruahei Demant (capt.), 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 13 Amy du Plessis, 14 Renee Wickliffe, 15 Renee Holmes
Replacements: 16 Georgia Ponsonby, 17 Krystal Murray, 18 Lucy Anderson, 19 Maia Roos, 20 Tafito Lafaele, 21 Kendra Cocksedge, 22 Chelsea Semple, 23 Hazel Tubic
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Jordan Matyas, 5 Kristine Sommer, 6 Elizabeth Cairns, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 Megan Foster, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Tess Feury, 15 Bulou Mataitoga
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Evi Ashenbrucker, 20 Georgie Perris-Redding, 21 Bridget Kahele, 22 Gabby Cantorna, 23 Meya Bizer
Date: Friday, June 17 (Saturday, June 18 local)
Venue: The Trusts Arena, Auckland
Kickoff: 21:00 Pacific, Midnight Eastern (Saturday 16:00 local)
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)
Assistants: Amber McLachlan (Australia) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Broadcasts: World Rugby website, YouTube
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2019-07-14 – USA 0, New Zealand 33 (Chula Vista)
2018-11-03 – USA 6, New Zealand 67 (Chicago)
2017-08-22 – New Zealand 45, USA 12 (Belfast)
2015-07-05 – USA 14, New Zealand 47 (Edmonton)
2014-08-17 – USA 5, New Zealand 55 (Paris)
2014-08-09 – New Zealand 34, USA 3 (Paris)
2004-06-13 – USA 0, New Zealand 35 (Calgary)
2000-09-27 – USA 0, New Zealand 45 (Winnipeg)
1999-10-19 – New Zealand 65, USA 5 (Palmerston North)
1998-05-16 – New Zealand 44, USA 12 (Amsterdam)
1996-09-11 – USA 8, New Zealand 88 (Edmonton)
1991-04-12 – New Zealand 0, USA 7 (Cardiff)
1990-08-30 – New Zealand 9, USA 3 (Christchurch)
