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Round two of the 2023 Americas Rugby Trophy Women saw smiles from the USA. The u23 side overcame Colombia 27-24 in what was an historic showdown.
Played at the Estádio Nogueirão in Mogi das Cruzes (Greater São Paulo), USA u23 were the winning team. Their narrow win follows what was a 15-15 draw against hosts Brazil in their opening match. The remaining fixture is Brazil vs Colombia at the Estádio Dutrinha in Cuiabá on Sunday.
Las Tucanes started strongly against the USA. Nine minutes into the contest Leidy García was in the try zone. The USA hit-back with two tries in response. Forwards Mona Lisa Tupou and Keia Mae Sagapolu were the scorers.
With half-time approaching, Colombia scored their second try. Scrum-half Yamileth Ramírez went over for an unconverted try. With the conversion unsuccessful the USA u23 held a 14-12 advantage.
The Eagles responded early on in the second half. Winger Sereana Vulaono went over for a try while fly half Kristin Bitter extended the lead further with two penalties. Las Tucanes found their response through captain Leidy Soto. When replacement Laura Gutierrez added another there was hope for the Colombians.
Ultimately, it was the USA’s day. Colombia will rue their goal-kicking. Had they found target more often then the result would have been a Tucanes victory. If Brazil win the final match by 4 or more points then As Yaras will lift the trophy.
SCORING
COLOMBIA (24)
Try – García; Ramirez; L Soto; Gutierrez
Con – Tapias (1); Mejía (1)
USA (27)
Try – Sagapolu, Tupou; Vulaono
Con – Bitter (3)
Pen – Bitter (2)
TEAMS
COLOMBIA
15 Valentina Tapias 14 Leidy García, 13 Leidy Soto (capt.), 12 Luisa Fernanda Zurique, 11 Yuriza Martínez, 10 Laura Mejía, 9 Yamileth Ramírez, 8 Maribel Mestra, 7 Laura Valentina Álvarez, 6 Valeria Muñoz, 5 Paola Valentina Delgado, 4 Annagith Vargas, 3 Camila Cardona, 2 Natalia Barajas, 1 Gina Tatiana Delgado
Replacements: 16 Silvia Juliana Olave, 17 Maria Antonia Cortés, 18 Carolina Naranjo, 19 Laura Gutierrez, 20 Stefanía Sarmiento, 22 Sofía Granados, 23 Juliana Soto
USA
15 Alexandra Wantlin, 14 Sereana Vulaono, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Tiahna Padilla, 11 Susan Adegoke, 10 Kristin Bitter, 9 Taina Tukuafu, 8 Kapoina Bailey, 7 Tessa Hann, 6 Freda Tafuna, 5 Emerson Allen, 4 Mona Lisa Tupou, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu (capt.), 2 Queenette Toomalatai, 1 Alivia Leatherman
Replacements: 16 Lauren Ferridge, 17 Reece Woods, 18 Olivia Woods, 19 Samantha Brackett, 20 Anna Van Dyk, 21 Sadie Schier, 22 Alyssa Cunningham, 23 Autumn LoCicero
