United States women's national rugby union team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
United States
Nickname(s)Eagles
UnionUSA Rugby
Head coach
CaptainKate Zackary
Most capsJamie Burke (51)
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current6 (as of 23 November 2020)
First international
 United States 22 – 3 Canada 
(Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 14 November 1987)
Biggest win
 United States 121 – 0 Japan 
(Melrose, Scotland 15 April 1994)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 88 – 8 United States 
(Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 11 September 1996)
World Cup
Appearances7 (First in 1991)
Best resultChampions 1991

The USA Women's National Team XVs is the senior national team for the United States in the 15-a-side version of rugby. The team was officially formed in 1987 and is nicknamed the Eagles.

An international powerhouse during the 1990s— the Eagles won the inaugural 1991 Women's World Cup and finished second in the two following World Cups in 1994 and 1998. The team finished fourth in the most recent Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland.

In May 2018, Rob Cain was appointed full-time Head Coach. Cain joined the Eagles after winning the inaugural Tyrell Premier 15s title in England with Saracens Women.

History[]

(Source: US Women's Rugby Foundation)

The history of women's rugby in the United States can be traced back to three teams that existed in 1972 – the Colorado State University Hookers at Fort Collins; the University of Colorado, at Boulder; and the University of Illinois, at Champaign. During the mid-1970s women's teams began to spring up on college campuses across the United States. As those players graduated they went on to set up teams near cities and urban centers. At that time there was only one division for all women's rugby. In 1975 United States Rugby Football Union was formed and contained four territories. At this time the women had their own Board of Directors and followed in parallel USARFU with four territories (East, Midwest, West and Pacific). In 1978 the first Women's National Championships was held. The Chicago Women's Rugby Club in Chicago, Illinois hosted this event. The winner of that championship was Portland, Maine.[citation needed]

1980s–1991[]

In 1985 the first semblance of a national team was formed. An ‘invitation-only’ team was put together and made up of, arguably, the top women playing the game at the time. The team was named WIVERN and toured throughout England and France. The team finished the tour undefeated. Many of these players went on to be selected to the 1991 World Cup Team.

In 1987 the USA women's national team was officially born with their first match against the Canadian women's national team. Although the women were not permitted to wear the Eagle logo, this match was sanctioned by Rugby Canada and USA Rugby. USA and Canada began holding an annual match, which became known as the CanAm series. For ten years the Women Eagles went undefeated in this test series.[citation needed]

In 1990 the women's national team, competing under the name ‘USA Presidents 15’, traveled to New Zealand to compete in the historic Women's World Rugby Festival. The WNT posted a record of 3–1 with their only loss coming at the hands of New Zealand. In 1991 the first Women's Rugby World Cup was held in Cardiff, Wales. Coached by Beantown's Kevin O’Brien, a Welshman himself, and Minnesota's Chris Leach, a South African the stage was set for the US women to bring home the Cup. Defeating New Zealand in semi-final play, the USA women advanced to the finals where they defeated England. Also in 1991 the first woman was elected to serve on the USARFU Board of Directors. Jamie Jordan was elected Treasurer for the Board.[citation needed]

Present[]

The USA Women's National Team XVs most recently finished fourth at Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland which earned them automatic qualification to the next World Cup in New Zealand in 2021. In early 2018, the program hired former Women's National Team player Emilie Bydwell to serve as its General Manager of Women's High Performance. Soon after in May, Rob Cain was appointed full-time Head Coach and has since helped lead the program in a new direction.

The Women's National Team Program fields a number of age-grade and development programs including the High School All-Americans (U18), Under-20s, Collegiate All-Americans and USA Selects. All age-grade and development programs are umbrellaed under the national team program and serve as a feeder to the senior Women's Eagles.

2019 Performance Squad[]

The 2019 Performance Squad serves as the top tier of the USA Women's National Team XVs depth chart. Other tiers include the extended squad and the watchlist. Only the performance squad has been made public.

*All clubs listed below were current as of the announcement of the Performance Squad in February of 2019.

Player Name Position Club
Sui Aa'u Center Central Washington University
Tiana Aa'u Prop Central Washington University
Katy Augustyn Hooker Berkeley All Blues
Bui Baravilala Center Berkeley All Blues
Catie Benson Prop Life West Gladiatrix
Stacey Bridges Second Row Beantown Rugby
Kaitlyn Broughton Back Three Atlanta Harlequins
Bitsy Cairns Back Row Life West Gladiatrix
Gabriella Cantorna Flyhalf Glendale Merlins
Jennine Duncan Back Three Seattle Saracens
Megan Foster Fullback San Diego Surfers
Misha Green Back Row New York Rugby
McKenzie Hawkins Flyhalf Lindenwood University
Emily Henrich Center Dartmouth College
Evan Hoese Wing Berkeley All Blues
Katana Howard Flyhalf Twin City Amazons
Nick James Prop Houston Athletic
Bailey Johnson Second Row Twin City Amazons
Katie Johnson Back Row Twin City Amazons
Rachel Johnson Back Row Oregon Sports Union
Joanna Kitlinski Hooker Glendale Merlins
Cortney Kuehl Center Atlanta Harlequins
Bulou Mataitoga Fullback Berkeley All Blues
Azniv Nalbandian Prop Penn State University
Mary Jane Pasioles Halfback Central Washington University
Christian Pheil Back Row Atlanta Harlequins
Kat Ramage Half Back Dartmouth College
Megan Rom Prop Life University
Kimber Rozier Center Beantown Rugby
Kristine Sommer Second Row Harlequins / Seattle Saracens
Kelsi Stockert Back Three Unattached
McKenna Strong Second Row Lindenwood University
Finau Tamaivena No. 8 Seattle Saracens
Joyce Taufa Hooker Lindenwood University
Alycia Washington Second Row New York Rugby
Carly Waters Halfback New York Rugby
Kate Zackary Back Row San Diego Surfers

Super Series 2019 Roster[]

Players that were chosen for the 2019 Super Series which took place in San Diego in June and featured England, New Zealand, Canada and France. The Eagles went 1–3 with a huge upset over No. 3 ranked Canada for their first win over their northern rivals in four years.

Player Name Position
Katy Augustyn Hooker
Bui Baravilala Center
Catie Benson Prop
Amy Naber-Bonte Center
Stacey Bridges Second Row
Ashlee Byrge Scrumhalf
Elizabeth Cairns Back row
Gabriella Cantorna Flyhalf
Jennine Duncan Back Three
Fane "Eti" Haungatau Center
Emily Henrich Center
Katana Howard Flyhalf
Charli Jacoby Prop
Nick James Prop
Rachel Johnson Back Row
Alev Kelter Center
Joanna Kitlinski Hooker
Bulou Mataitoga Fullback
Olivia Ortiz Scrumhalf
Neariah "Nene" Persinger Wing
Hope Rogers Hooker/Prop
Asinate Serevi Back Row / Second Row
Kristine Sommer Flanker
Nicole Strasko Second Row / Back Row
Joyce Taufa Back Row
Kris Thomas Wing
Alycia Washington Second Row
Kate Zackary Back Row

2019 Schedule & Results[]

Date Opponent Result Location
April 26, 2019 Barbarians FC (uncapped) 33-34 (L) Glendale, CO
June 28, 2019 England 5-38 (L) Chula Vista, CA
July 2, 2019 New Zealand 0-33 (L) Chula Vista, CA
July 10, 2019 Canada 20-18 (W) Chula Vista, CA
July 13, 2019 France 14-53 (L) San Diego, CA
November 20, 2019 Canada TBD Chula Vista, CA
November 24, 2019 Canada TBD Chula Vista, CA

For match reports, visit www.usa.rugby/womens-eagles/schedule/

2017 World Cup Team[]

The 2017 Rugby World Cup was held in Ireland where the United States women finished in fourth-place. Below are the players who comprised the traveling roster.

Player Name Club
Kathryn Augustyn Berkeley All Blues
Catherine Benson Life West
Sylvia Braaten Twin Cities Amazons
Stacey Bridges Twin Cities Amazons
Kayla Canett Pennsylvania State University
Cheta Emba United States women's national rugby sevens team
Tiffany Fa’ae’e New York Rugby Club
Jordan Gray Life West
Abby Gustaitis Northern Virginia Rugby
Nicole Heavirland United States women's national rugby sevens team
Nicole James --
Jessica Javelet --
Alev Kelter --
Deven Owsiany --
Samantha Pankey --
Sara Parsons Northern Virginia Rugby
Tess Feury --
Christiane Pheil Chicago North Shore
Naima Reddick Seattle Saracens
Jamila Reinhardt San Diego Surfers
Hope Rogers Pennsylvania State University
Kimber Rozier Scion Rugby
Kristine Sommer Seattle Saracens
Naya Tapper United States women's national rugby sevens team
Kristen Thomas United States women's national rugby sevens team
Alycia Washington New York Rugby Club
Jess Wooden Aylesford Bulls Ladies
Kate Zackary San Diego Surfers

1991 World Cup Team[]

United States Women's team that won the inaugural 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup[1][2]

 

Coaches

Other U.S. Women's National Rugby Teams[]

(Source: US Women's Rugby Foundation and USA Rugby)

The USA Women's National Rugby Team also has a team which competes in rugby sevens, the 7-a-side version of the sport which features in the Olympic Games. Known as the USA Women's Sevens or Eagles Sevens, the program had its most successful season of all-time in 2019, claiming five medals in six tournaments during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series where they finished with a World No. 2 ranking, won their first-ever gold medal and qualified for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

In 1996 the first assembly of a National Women's 7s team was formed. Emil Signes held tryouts to pick a team to compete in the first Women's International 7s tournament to be held during the Hong Kong 7s event. The team competed under the name ‘Atlantis’, the National 7s program created by Emil, and finished their tour undefeated. Many of these players went on to compete for the USA Women's 7s Team in the Hong Kong 7s Women's Division.

In 1997 The U23 women's national team was formed. USA Women's National Team Head Coach Franck Boivert appointed Penn State Coach Peter Steinberg to be Head Coach for the U23 Women's National Team program. At an event in the CanAm Series the US Women's National Team celebrated their 10-year anniversary by cheering on the Women's U23 National Team in their first test against Canada.

Match List - Full Internationals[]

See Women's international rugby for information about the status of international games and match numbering

1980s[]

[17]
1987-11-14 Canada  3-22  United States Victoria, British Columbia [1/1/1]
[27]
1988-08-08 United States  26-10  Canada Saranac Lake [2/2/2]
[33]
1989-09-03 Canada  3-28  United States Edmonton [3/3/3]

1990s[]

[41]
1990-08-29 (RF) Netherlands  0–38  United States Christchurch [17/4/1]
[43]
1990-08-30 (RF) New Zealand  9–3  United States Christchurch [3/5/1]
[44]
1990-08-31 (RF) United States  32–0  Soviet Union Christchurch [6/3/1]
[49]
1991-04-06 (WC) Netherlands  0-7  United States Pontypool [18/7/2]
[57]
1991-04-10 (WC) United States  46-0  Soviet Union Glamorgan Wanderers [8/5/2]
[59]
1991-04-12 (WC) New Zealand  0-7  United States Cardiff Arms Park [7/9/2]
[61]
1991-04-14 (WC) England  6-19  United States Cardiff [10/10/1]
[65]
1992-09-13 United States  13-12  Canada Blaine, Minnesota [11/6/4]
[72]
1993-06-08 (CC) England  17-6  United States Fletcher's Fields, Toronto [14/12/2]
[74]
1993-06-10 (CC) United States  26-0  Wales Fletcher's Fields, Toronto [13/11/1]
[76]
1993-06-12 (CC) Canada  3-60  United States Markham, Ontario [9/14/5]
[83]
1994-04-11 (WC) Sweden  0-111  United States Melrose [10/15/1]
[89]
1994-04-15 (WC) Japan  0-121  United States Melrose [4/16/1]
[94]
1994-04-17 (WC) United States  76-0  Ireland Boroughmuir RFC [17/4/1]
[99]
1994-04-20 (WC) United States  56-15  Wales Gala RFC [18/19/2]
[108]
1994-04-24 (WC) England  38-23  United States Edinburgh Academicals RFC [23/19/3]
[142]
1996-09-08 (CC) France  16-39  United States Edmonton [36/20/1]
[143]
1996-09-11 (CC) New Zealand  88-8  United States Edmonton [12/20/3]
[146]
1996-09-14 (CC) Canada  14-22  United States Edmonton [17/22/6]
[168]
1997-07-06 Canada  12-21  United States Ajax, Ontario [18/23/7]
[169]
1997-08-02 Australia  24-28  United States Brisbane [4/24/1]
[193]
1998-05-02 (WC) Russia  0-84  United States Amsterdam [9/25/1]
[200]
1998-05-05 (WC) Spain  16-38  United States Amsterdam [16/26/1]
[207]
1998-05-09 (WC) Scotland  10-25  United States Amsterdam [31/27/1]
[215]
1998-05-12 (WC) Canada  6-46  United States Amsterdam [22/28/8]
[229]
1998-05-16 (WC) New Zealand  44-12  United States Amsterdam [20/29/4]
[256]
1999-08-08 United States  16-11  Canada Saranac Lake, New York [30/24/9]
[257]
1999-10-13 (T99) Canada  18-15  United States Palmerston North, New Zealand [25/31/10]
[259]
1999-10-19 (T99) New Zealand  65-5  United States Palmerston North, New Zealand [23/32/5]

2000s[]

[287]
2000-06-06 United States  10-17  Canada New York [33/27/11]
[290]
2000-09-23 (CC) England  31-7  United States Winnipeg [63/34/4]
[292]
2000-09-27 (CC) New Zealand  45-0  United States Winnipeg [25/35/6]
[295]
2000-09-30 (CC) Canada  9-15  United States Winnipeg [30/36/12]
[333]
2001-07-07 Canada  23-3  United States , Ottawa [31/37/13]
[334]
2001-08-05 United States  22-21  Canada Saranac Lake, New York [38/32/14]
[341]
2001-11-18 Wales  17-20  United States Ebbw Vale [58/39/3]
[342]
2001-11-24 Scotland  22-3  United States Inverleith [57/40/2]
[364]
2002-05-13 (WC) United States  87-0  Netherlands Barcelona [41/56/3]
[373]
2002-05-18 (WC) France  21-9  United States Barcelona [77/42/2]
[382]
2002-05-21 (WC) Australia  0-18  United States Barcelona [16/43/2]
[390]
2002-05-25 (WC) Spain  5-23  United States Barcelona [48/44/2]
[420]
2003-06-18 (CC) England  15-8  United States Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver [92/45/5]
[421]
2003-06-20 (CC) Canada  18-13  United States Thunderbird Stadium, Vancouver [41/46/15]
[465]
2004-06-13 (CC) New Zealand  35-0  United States Calgary Rugby Park [36/47/7]
[467]
2004-06-19 (CC) Canada  10-29  United States Edmonton [45/48/16]
[474]
2004-11-27 Scotland  6-12  United States Murrayfield, Edinburgh [82/49/3]
[519]
2006-01-21 Scotland  6-13  United States Netherdale, Gala RFC [90/50/4]
[520]
2006-01-25 Ireland  5-23  United States Thomond Park, Munster Rugby[3] [68/51/2]
[554]
2006-06-10 United States  25-10  Canada Boulder, Colorado [52/55/17]
[555]
2006-06-13 United States  18-20  Canada Boulder, Colorado [53/56/18]
[562]
2006-08-31 (WC) England  18-0  United States , St. Albert [120/54/6]
[570]
2006-09-04 (WC) Ireland  11-24  United States Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton [76/55/3]
[575]
2006-09-08 (WC) Australia  6-10  United States Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton [20/56/3]
[580]
2006-09-12 (WC) United States  29-12  Australia , St. Albert [21/57/4]
[586]
2006-09-17 (WC) Scotland  0-24  United States Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton [100/58/5]
[655]
2007-12-15 England  34-0  United States London Irish [134/61/7]
[712]
2008-08-19 England  50-3  United States Esher, England [143/62/8]
[713]
2008-08-22 (NC) England  17-14  United States Esher, England [144/63/9]
[715]
2008-07-26 (NC) Canada  15-0  United States Esher, England [67/64/21]
[758]
2009-06-27 United States  17-25  Canada Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado [65/69/22]
[762]
2009-08-10 (NC) England  36-7  United States Oakville, Ontario [152/66/10]
[763]
2009-08-16 (NC) South Africa  0-39  United States Oakville, Ontario [14/67/1]
[766]
2009-08-19 (NC) Canada  10-15  United States Oakville, Ontario [72/68/23]
[767]
2009-08-22 (NC) France  15-15  United States Fletchers Fields, Toronto [138/69/3]

2010s[]

[790]
2010-01-12 United States  8-18  Canada Lakeland, Florida [70/76/24]
[791]
2010-01-16 United States  11-10  Canada Lakeland, Florida [71/77/25]
[829]
2010-06-14 Canada  14-8  United States Shawnigan Lake School [81/72/26]
[830]
2010-06-18 Canada  34-22  United States Bear Mountain Stadium, Langford [82/73/27]
[836]
2010-08-20 (WC) Kazakhstan  0-51  United States Surrey Sports Park, Guildford [46/74/1]
[845]
2010-08-24 (WC) Ireland  22-12  United States Surrey Sports Park, Guildford [104/75/4]
[852]
2010-08-28 (WC) England  37 – 10  United States Surrey Sports Park, Guildford [166/76/11]
[856]
2010-09-01 (WC) Ireland  3 – 40  United States Surrey Sports Park, Guildford [106/77/5]
[862]
2010-09-05 (WC) Canada  20 – 23  United States Surrey Sports Park, Guildford [87/78/28]
[900]
2011-08-02 (NC) England  15-11  United States Oakville, Ontario [174/79/12]
[902]
2011-08-05 (NC) Canada  35-17  United States Chatham-Kent, Ontario [89/80/29]
[903]
2011-08-09 (NC) United States  23-26  South Africa Oakville, Ontario [81/27/2]
[905]
2011-08-13 (NC) United States  29-9  South Africa Oakville, Ontario [82/28/3]
[959]
2012-11-18 Italy  20-34  United States Roma [101/83/1]
[960]
2012-11-21 France  13-0  United States , Orléans [167/84/4]
[962]
2012-11-24 France  27-3  United States Stade de France, Paris [168/85/5]
[994]
2013-06-07 United States  13-10  France Oxnard College [86/174/6]
[995]
2013-06-11 United States  25-27  France Oxnard College [87/175/7]
[996]
2013-06-14 United States  12-18  France StubHub Center, Carson, California [88/176/8]
[1004]
2013-07-30 (NC) United States  32-22  South Africa University of Northern Colorado [89/29/4]
[1006]
2013-08-04 (NC) United States  29-17  Canada University of Northern Colorado [90/93/30]
[1008]
2013-08-07 (NC) United States  21-36  England University of Northern Colorado [91/204/13]
[1009]
2013-08-10 (NC) United States  61-5  South Africa Infinity Park, Glendale [92/32/5]
[1038]
2014-04-15 Canada  51-7  United States Shawnigan Lake School, British Columbia [99/93/31]
[1039]
2014-04-19 Canada  14-10  United States , British Columbia [100/94/32]
[1051]
2014-06-28 Wales  7-10  United States Wales [157/95/4]
[1060]
2014-08-01 (WC) United States  17-23  Ireland , Marcoussis Pitch 2 [96/127/6]
[1063]
2014-08-05 (WC) United States  47–7  Kazakhstan CNR, Marcoussis Pitch 2 [97/60/2]
[1073]
2014-08-09 (WC) New Zealand  34–3  United States CNR, Marcoussis Pitch 1 [74/98/8]
[1079]
2014-08-13 (WC) Australia  20–23  United States CNR, Marcoussis Pitch 1 [38/99/5]
[1083]
2014-08-17 (WC) United States  5–55  New Zealand CNR, Marcoussis Pitch 1 [100/76/9]
[1113]
2015-06-27 (SS) United States  13–39  England Calgary, Alberta [101/223/14]
[1116]
2015-07-1 (SS) Canada  28 – 36  United States Red Deer, Alberta [110/102/33]
[1117]
2015-07-05 (SS) New Zealand  47–14  United States Ellerslie Park, Edmonton [79/103/10]
[1143]
2016-07-01 (SS) France  19 – 13  United States Salt Lake City, Utah [203/104/9]
[1145]
2016-07-05 (SS) Canada  33 – 5  United States Salt Lake City, Utah [113/105/34]
[1147]
2016-07-09 (SS) England  39 – 13  United States Salt Lake City, Utah [235/106/15]
[1167]
2016-11-22 France  36–10  United States Béziers [207/107/10]
[1169]
2016-11-25 France  31–6  United States Montpellier [208/108/11]
[1191]
2017-03-28 United States  5–39  Canada Chula Vista, California [109/118/35]
[1192]
2017-04-01 United States  10–37  Canada Chula Vista, California [110/119/36]
[1207]
2017-08-09 (WC) United States  24–12  Italy UCD Bowl, Dublin [111/132/2]
[1213]
2017-08-13 (WC) United States  43–0  Spain UCD Bowl, Dublin [112/121/3]
[1218]
2017-08-17 (WC) England  47–26  United States Billings Park UCD, Dublin [250/113/16]
[1226]
2017-08-22 (WC) New Zealand  45–12  United States Ravenhill, Belfast [91/114/11]
[1233]
2017-08-26 (WC) France  31–23  United States Ravenhill, Belfast [218/115/12]
[1270]
2018-11-03 United States  6-67  New Zealand Chicago [116/95/12]
[1272]
2018-11-09 England  57-5  United States London [261/117/17]
[1283]
2018-11-18 Ireland  10-19  United States Dublin [161/118/7]
[1321]
2019-07-14 (SS) England  38–5  United States Chula Vista, San Diego [268/119/18]
[1324]
2019-07-14 (SS) New Zealand  33–0  United States Chula Vista, San Diego [99/120/13]
[1328]
2019-07-10 (SS) Canada  18–20  United States Chula Vista, San Diego [136/121/37]
[1333]
2019-07-14 (SS) France  53-14  United States Chula Vista, San Diego [234/122/13]
[1359]
2019-11-20 United States  0–19  Canada Chula Vista, San Diego [123/137/38]
[1364]
2019-11-24 United States  27–54  Canada Chula Vista, San Diego [124/138/39]

Other matches[]

[-]
1997-08-04 Fiji  19-24  USA Selects Suva [-/-/-]
[-]
2005-01-29 England A  8-21  United States [-/-/-]
[-]
2007-08-12 Nomads 24-0  United States Clifton [-/-/-]
[-]
2009-06-23 USA Selects  7-10  Canada A Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado [-/-/-]
[-]
2008-08-15 (NACRA) Cayman Islands  0-85  United States U20 Nassau, Bahamas [-/-/-]
[-]
2008-08-20 (NACRA) Canada U20  6-3  United States U20 Nassau, Bahamas [-/-/-]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "US Women Eagles Win the Inaugural Women's World Cup". www.womeneagles.com. Archived from the original on 22 July 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  2. ^ Wise, Chad (2017-01-19). "Throwback Thursday: Eagles land in Wales". USA Rugby. Retrieved 2017-10-14.
  3. ^ "USA Defeat Ireland". Irish Women's Rugby Website. 2006-01-26. Archived from the original on 2006-05-15. Retrieved 2020-04-23.

External links[]


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