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The USA will open their tournament with a pivotal match against Italy. It’s been five years since they last met at the 2017 World Cup in Dublin, with one previous outing coming in Rome. Both were competitive but ultimately won convincingly by the Eagles.
Rob Cain has selected his strongest side knowing that a loss will put his charges in jeopardy of missing out on the Quarter Finals. There are three changes to the team that squared off against England in Exeter a month ago, two in the forwards and one in the backs.
Jenny Kronish adds her considerable height to the second row, with Kristine Sommer settling for a spot on the bench. In the back row Cain has opted for more size with Jordan Matyas coming in on the blindside flank and Rachel Johnson shifting to openside. Georgie Perris-Redding joins Sommer among the reserves.
It’s a straight swap at scrumhalf with the England-based Carly Waters getting the nod over Olivia Ortiz. The only other alteration sees Tess Feury recalled to the match day squad with Megan Foster making way for the World Cup veteran.
The Italians are brimming with experience, naming seven players with over 50 caps and leaving test centurion and former skipper Sara Barattin on the bench. Captain Elisa Giordano headlines a formidable loose forward trio and scrumhalf Sofia Stefan wins her 70th cap. The latter started in the midfield when the two sides last faced each other.
Though the Eagles have won both previous encounters, it’s the Azzurre who are marginally higher on the World Rankings. It comes largely thanks to a recent upset over France, which suggests they will be confident of getting a result. This promises to be a compelling fixture that is too close to call.
Kickoff is set for 12:45pm local time on Sunday afternoon in Whangarei, which is a Saturday kickoff in North America at 4:45pm Pacific and 7:45pm Eastern. Those in the USA can watch live on Peacock, with a delayed broadcast on CNBC at 1pm on Sunday. Canadian viewers can watch live on TSN 3, while those in Latin America can watch on ESPN.
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James, 4 Hallie Taufo’ou, 5 Jenny Kronish, 6 Jordan Matyas, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters, 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Eti Haungatau, 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 Alev Kelter
Replacements: 16 Kathryn Treder, 17 Catie Benson, 18 Charli Jacoby, 19 Kristine Sommer, 20 Georgie Perris-Reading, 21 Olivia Ortiz, 22 Meya Bizer, 23 Tess Feury
ITALY
1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni, 3 Lucia Gai, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Ilaria Arrighetti, 7 Giada Franco, 8 Elisa Giordano (capt.), 9 Sofia Stefan, 10 Veronica Madia, 11 Maria Magatti, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Replacements: 16 Vittoria Vecchini, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Sara Seye, 19 Sara Tounesi, 20 Isabella Locatelli, 21 Francesca Sgorbini, 22 Sara Barattin, 23 Alyssa D’Incà
Date: Sunday, October 9
Venue: Okara Park, Whangarei
Kickoff: 12:45 local (Saturday 16:45 Pacific, 19:45 Eastern)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Julianne Zussman (Canada) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Broadcasts: NBC Peacock (USA), TSN 3 (Canada), ESPN (South America)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2017-08-09 – USA 24, Italy 12 (Dublin)
2012-11-18 – Italy 20, USA 34 (Rome)
