Jump to content

United States women's national rugby union team

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with United States women's national rugby league team.
This article is about the women's fifteens team. For the women's sevens team, see United States women's national rugby sevens team.

United States
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameEagles
UnionUSA Rugby
Head coachSione Fukofuka[1]
CaptainRachel Johnson
Most capsJamie Burke (51)
Hope Rogers (51)
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current9 (as of October 28, 2024)
First international
 Canada 3–22 United States 
(Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; November 14, 1987)
Biggest win
 Japan 0–121 United States 
(Melrose, Scotland; April 15, 1994)
Biggest defeat
 England 89–0 United States 
(Worcester, England; November 21, 2021)
World Cup
Appearances9 (First in 1991)
Best resultChampions 1991
Women's
World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 rankings as of 5 May 2025[2]
Rank Change* Team Points
1 Steady  England 97.56
2 Steady  Canada 89.31
3 Steady  New Zealand 88.64
4 Steady  France 85.92
5 Steady  Ireland 78.78
6 Steady  Australia 78.10
7 Steady  Scotland 76.56
8 Steady  Italy 75.23
9 Steady  United States 72.20
10 Steady  Wales 70.81
11 Steady  Japan 68.41
12 Steady  South Africa 68.04
13 Steady  Spain 63.73
14 Steady  Samoa 60.56
15 Steady  Netherlands 60.42
16 Steady  Fiji 59.14
17 Steady  Hong Kong 56.20
18 Steady  Kazakhstan 55.23
19 Steady  Russia 55.10
20 Steady  Sweden 49.31
*Change from the previous week

The USA Women's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Women's Eagles, represents the United States in women's international rugby union. 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 at the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland.[3]

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

[edit]

(Source: US Women's Rugby Foundation Archived April 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine)

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–1997

[edit]

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 for 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]

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.

Present

[edit]

The USA Women's National Team XVs 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.[4] 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.

Record

[edit]

Overall

[edit]

See List of United States women's national rugby union team matches

Full internationals only

Correct as of October 11, 2024

Opponent First game Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
 Australia 1997 8 6 0 2 75%
 Canada 1987 46 19 0 27 41.3%
 England 1991 21 1 0 20 4.76%
 France 1996 14 2 1 11 14.29%
 Ireland 1994 9 5 0 4 55.56%
 Italy 2012 4 2 0 2 50%
 Japan 1994 4 3 1 0 75%
 Kazakhstan 2010 2 2 0 0 100%
 Netherlands 1990 3 3 0 0 100%
 New Zealand 1990 16 1 0 14 6.25%
 Russia 1998 1 1 0 0 100%
 Samoa 2023 1 1 0 0 100%
 Scotland 1998 7 5 0 2 71.43%
 South Africa 2009 6 5 0 1 83.33%
 Soviet Union 1990 2 2 0 0 100%
 Spain 1998 4 4 0 0 100%
 Sweden 1994 1 1 0 0 100%
 Wales 1993 4 4 0 0 100%
Total 1987 153 67 2 84 43.79%

Rugby World Cup

[edit]
Main article: United States women at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
Year Round Pld W D L PF PA Squad
Wales 1991 Champions 4 4 0 0 79 6 Squad
Scotland 1994 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 387 53 Squad
Netherlands 1998 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 200 76 Squad
Spain 2002 7th place 4 2 0 2 124 43 Squad
Canada 2006 5th place 5 4 0 1 87 47 Squad
England 2010 5th place 5 3 0 2 136 82 Squad
France 2014 6th place 5 2 0 3 95 139 Squad
Republic of Ireland 2017 4th place 5 2 0 3 128 135 Squad
New Zealand 2021 Quarter-final 4 1 0 3 65 100 Squad
England 2025 Qualified
Australia 2029 TBD
United States 2033 Automatically Qualified as Hosts
Total Champions 42 26 0 16 1301 681 Squad
  Champion   Runner-up   Third place   Fourth place
* Tied placing † Best placing Home venue

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

On 27 March 2025, Head coach, Sione Fukofuka, announced the Eagles roster for the Pacific Four Series.[5]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Kathryn Treder Hooker (1996-03-17)March 17, 1996 (aged 29) 26 England Loughborough Lightning
Paige Stathopoulos Hooker (1993-08-23)August 23, 1993 (aged 31) 14 England Ealing Trailfinders / United States Boston Banshees
Saher Hamdan Hooker (1999-12-19)December 19, 1999 (aged 25) United States Denver Onyx
Hope Rogers Prop (1993-01-07)January 7, 1993 (aged 32) 51 England Exeter Chiefs
Maya Learned Prop (1996-01-01)January 1, 1996 (aged 29) 16 United States Denver Onyx
Charli Jacoby Prop (1989-10-09)October 9, 1989 (aged 35) 33 England Exeter Chiefs / Australia Queensland Reds
Keia Mae Sagapiolu Prop (2000-05-12)May 12, 2000 (aged 24) 15 England Leicester Tigers / Australia ACT Brumbies
Catie Benson Prop (1992-02-10)February 10, 1992 (aged 33) 45 England Sale Sharks / United States Boston Banshees
Alivia Leatherman Prop (2002-08-09)August 9, 2002 (aged 22) 5 England Ealing Trailfinders / United States Twin Cities Gemini
Hallie Taufo'ou Lock (1994-05-26)May 26, 1994 (aged 30) 23 England Loughborough Lightning / United States Denver Onyx
Erica Jarrell Lock (1999-02-25)February 25, 1999 (aged 26) 14 England Sale Sharks
Rachel Ehrecke Lock (1999-12-06)December 6, 1999 (aged 25) 19 United States Denver Onyx
Emerson Allen Lock (1999-05-01)May 1, 1999 (aged 26) United States Twin Cities Gemini
Tahlia Brody Back row (1994-09-10)September 10, 1994 (aged 30) 11 England Leicester Tigers / United States Denver Onyx
Rachel Johnson Back row (1991-02-05)February 5, 1991 (aged 34) 33 England Exeter Chiefs / United States Denver Onyx
Freda Tafuna Back row (2003-08-31)August 31, 2003 (aged 21) 10 United States Lindenwood University
Kate Zackary (c) Back row (1989-07-26)July 26, 1989 (aged 35) 41 England Ealing Trailfinders
Georgie Perris-Redding Back row (1997-01-10)January 10, 1997 (aged 28) 14 England Sale Sharks
Kapoina Bailey Back row 1 United States Denver Onyx
Olivia Ortiz Scrum-half (1997-10-23)October 23, 1997 (aged 27) 22 England Sale Sharks
Cassidy Bargell Scrum-half (1999-12-28)December 28, 1999 (aged 25) 5 United States Boston Banshees
Taina Tukuafu Scrum-half (2001-08-18)August 18, 2001 (aged 23) 13 United States Bay Breakers
McKenzie Hawkins Fly-half (1997-01-08)January 8, 1997 (aged 28) 21 United States Denver Onyx
Kristin Bitter Fly-half 4 United States Denver Onyx
Nicole Heavirland Fly-half (1995-02-25)February 25, 1995 (aged 30) 10 United States Boston Banshees / USA Sevens
Alev Kelter Centre (1991-03-21)March 21, 1991 (aged 34) 27 England Loughborough Lightning / United States Bay Breakers
Emily Henrich Centre (1999-11-10)November 10, 1999 (aged 25) 21 England Leicester Tigers / United States Boston Banshees
Ilona Maher Centre (1996-08-12)August 12, 1996 (aged 28) 2 England Bristol Bears / United States USA Sevens
Joanne Fa'avesi Centre (1992-02-05)February 5, 1992 (aged 33) 6
Gabby Cantorna Centre (1995-08-02)August 2, 1995 (aged 29) 32 England Exeter Chiefs
Erica Coulibaly Wing 1 United States Denver Onyx
Cheta Emba Wing (1993-07-16)July 16, 1993 (aged 31) 13 United States Boston Banshees
Lotte Sharp Wing (1995-01-13)January 13, 1995 (aged 30) 16 England Saracens
Bulou Mataitoga Fullback (1994-04-08)April 8, 1994 (aged 31) 22 England Loughborough Lightning / United States Bay Breakers
Sariah Ibarra Fullback (2005-09-19)September 19, 2005 (aged 19) 2 United States USA Sevens
Tess Feury Utility back (1996-03-15)March 15, 1996 (aged 29) 31 England Leicester Tigers / United States New York Exiles

World Cup squads

[edit]

Notable players

[edit]

Two former Eagles have been inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame: Patty Jervey and Phaidra Knight.

Patty Jervey was inducted in 2014. She was the first player to play in five Women's Rugby World Cups. She won the inaugural tournament in 1991 and appeared in the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 editions. She made her Eagles debut in 1989 and has won 40 caps, and scored 178 points.[6][7]

Phaidra Knight was inducted in 2017. She has been capped 35 times for the Eagles and has appeared at three Women's Rugby World Cups – 2002, 2006 and 2010. She was named USA Rugby Player of the Decade in 2010. Knight also represented the USA Women's Sevens, from 2006 to 2009.[8][9]

Award winners

[edit]

The following United States players have been recognized at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[10]

Coaches

[edit]
Name Years
Kevin O'Brien 1991
Franck Boivert 1994
Martin Gallagher 2002
Kathy Flores 2002–2011
Peter Steinberg 2011–2017
Rob Cain 2018–2024
Sione Fukofuka 2024–Present

Attendance

[edit]

The highest attended matches played in the U.S. involving the U.S. women's national team are:

Rank Attendance Opponent Date Venue Metro area Ref.
1 10,518  Canada 2025-05-06 CPKC Stadium Kansas City, Mo. [11]
2 2856  Japan 2025-04-26 Wallis Annenburg Stadium Los Angeles, Cal. [12][13][14]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Milton Haig to lead Women's Eagles for WXV tests". Americas Rugby News. September 15, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  2. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  3. ^ "RWC 2021 Spotlight: USA". www.rugbyworldcup.com. November 14, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  4. ^ "USA Rugby appoints Emilie Bydwell as General Manager of Women's High Performance". USA Rugby. November 15, 2017. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  5. ^ Burke, Jenni (March 26, 2025). "USA Women's Eagles Launch 2025 Campaign with Spring Player Pool Selections". eagles.rugby. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  6. ^ "Harlequin Patty Jervey Inducted into IRB Hall of Fame". AHWRFC. November 14, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  7. ^ "Jervey: WRWC 1991 was "an experience of a lifetime"". www.rugbyworldcup.com. April 14, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  8. ^ Zeigler, Cyd (November 14, 2017). "Phaidra Knight is second American athlete inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame". Outsports. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Pengelly, Martin (November 4, 2017). "Meet Phaidra Knight: free radical flanker in World Rugby Hall of Fame". the Guardian. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour - World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Green, PJ (May 3, 2025). "USA women's rugby loses to Canada, wins new fans in record-breaking KC match". www.kansascity.com.
  12. ^ https://rugbyfcla.com/news/latest/rfcla-and-usa-partner-for-historic-double-header-for-home-calicup[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ Cahill, Calder (April 27, 2025). "Women's Eagles lose close contest to Japan in Los Angeles". eagles.rugby. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  14. ^ "RFCLA lose to SD in nail biter at home in front of record crowd". Rugby FCLA. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_women%27s_national_rugby_union_team&oldid=1290701723"