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The USA will look to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Canada when they take on Australia at Trusts Arena in Auckland on Saturday. A victory would also bring an end to an eight-game losing streak that dates back to the 20-18 win over the Canadians in July 2019.
It’s the sixth meeting between the two sides and first since 2014. To date the USA has won four of the five meetings, the only defeat coming at the 2002 World Cup. In fact their first ever match in 1997 is the only other time they have squared off outside of World Cup competition.
There is good news for Eagles coach Rob Cain who has nine additional overseas players at his disposal following their arrival from England. Seven jump straight into the starting lineup. Kate Zackary takes over the captaincy from Kristine Sommer, who deputised against Canada.
Sommer settles for a spot on the bench with Jordan Matyas and Hallie Taufo’ou coming in at lock, the latter starting at blindside flanker last weekend. Zackary is joined be Exeter teammate Rachel Johnston in the back row, with Hope Rogers reinforcing the front row at loosehead prop.
There is more Exeter influence in the backs with Gabby Cantorna wearing No10 and Jennine Detiveaux on the wing, with flyhalf Megan Foster named as a replacement. Saracens scrumhalf Carly Waters is also among the reserves with Bridget Kahele rewarded with a second start at No9. Alev Kelter comes in at outside center with Bulou Mataitoga dropping to fullback, and former England winger Lotte Clapp makes a notable Eagles debut after making the switch using the new Union Transfer regulation.
The Wallaroos enter the match ranked just ahead of the USA in 6th spot and a loss would see them fall to 8th, with the USA moving up to 5th. They gave New Zealand a scare in their tournament opener but ultimately fell 23-10 to the Black Ferns in the Tauranga rain.
Only two changes are made to the starting lineup, both injury-enforced. Ashley Marsters replaces Adiana Talakai at hooker, with Jemima McCalman starting on the left wing in place of Ivania Wong. World Sevens Series veteran Shannon Perry again captains the side at openside flanker.
Rain is again on the forecast which will limit some of the USA’s attacking game. The Premier 15s arrivals will still provide a significant boost and if the likes of Zackary, Cantorna, and Kelter carry their form over the USA should be expected to finally put an end to their winning drought.
Kickoff is set for 5:15pm Pacific, 8:15pm Eastern, Sunday 12:15pm local time. Live broadcasts will be provided by World Rugby on their website and YouTube page.
AUSTRALIA
1 Liz Patu, 2 Ashley Marsters, 3 Bridie O’Gorman, 4 Michaela Leonard, 5 Kaitlan Leaney, 6 Emily Chancellor, 7 Shannon Perry (capt.), 8 Grace Hamilton, 9 Iliseva Batibasaga, 10 Trilleen Pomare, 11 Jemima McCalman, 12 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Mahalia Murphy, 15 Lori Cramer
Replacements: 16 Tiarna Molloy, 17 Madison Schuck, 18 Eva Karpani, 19 Annabelle Codey, 20 Piper Duck, 21 Layne Morgan, 22 Cecilia Smith, 23 Arabella McKenzie
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Jordan Matyas, 5 Hallie Taufo’ou, 6 Elizabeth Cairns, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Bridget Kahele, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Jennine Detiveaux, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Alev Kelter, 14 Lotte Clapp, 15 Bulou Mataitoga
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Maya Learned, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Kristine Sommer, 20 Kathryn Johnson, 21 Carly Waters, 22 Megan Foster, 23 Tess Feury
Date: Saturday, June 11 (Sunday, June 12 local)
Venue: Trusts Arena, Auckland
Kickoff: 17:15 Pacific, 20:15 Eastern (Sunday 12:15pm local)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
Assistants: Julianne Zussman (Canada) & Chris Assmus (Canada)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: World Rugby website, YouTube
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2014-08-13 – Australia 20, USA 23 (Marcoussis)
2006-09-12 – USA 29, Australia 12 (St. Albert)
2006-09-08 – Australia 6, USA 10 (Edmonton)
2002-05-21 – Australia 17, USA 5 (Barcelona)
1997-08-02 – Australia 24, USA 28 (Brisbane)
