USA 60-0 SAM

YORK – The USA Women’s Eagles secured the comfortable win over spirited Samoa they needed to retain their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.

YORK – The USA Women’s Eagles secured the bonus-point win over Samoa they needed to retain their hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals but, having done their bit, they must wait to see if England can snuff out Pool A rivals Australia’s last-eight hopes in Brighton.
Story of the match

Needing a points-difference swing of 135 across the two Pool A matches, back-row Freda Tafuna quelled a lively Samoa start to scamper up the wing to score her third try of the competition. Hope Rogers, playing in her fourth Rugby World Cup, speared over from a well-worked lineout and added a second three minutes before Cassidy Bargell crossed to ensure the bonus point.

Erica Coulibaly benefited from USA’s support play for the team’s fifth try but at half-time a one-from-five conversion rate from the tee might have been preying on American minds given the points chasm.

Second-row Erica Jarrell-Searcy kept up her record of scoring in each pool game with an early try after the break, and the irrepressible Tafuna ran in her second and barrelled over from close range for another two scores despite team-mate Kristen Bitter being in the sin bin during the latter.

Full-back Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung almost brought the house down by going within a metre of the Eagles’ try line as the Manusina pushed for their first try of the tournament, only for Olivia Ortiz to overcome some superb Samoan defending to round off the scoring.
Freda Tafuna, Mastercard Player of the Match

Flanker Tafuna defied the number six on her jersey with her speed and attacking threat. She didn’t put a hand or foot wrong throughout the game.

“All glory to God, shout out to the girls, my family and friends back home and thank you to the crowd – you guys are the best!” she said on the pitch after full-time as both sets of players danced in celebration.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, we know Samoa is a physical team and we knew that the points were a big thing in this tournament, so we tried to put on a show and put as many points on the board as possible.”
Coach insight

Sione Fukofuka has been a picture of calm these past few weeks but even the USA head coach was getting caught up in the excitement as his players tried to run in more tries late in the game. Asked if the tally against Samoa might be enough, he replied: “Time will tell. We got 60 on the board, probably left a few more out there.

“I did want to acknowledge Samoa, they made it really tough for us and what they’ve brought to this World Cup has been amazing. We had some opportunities that we didn’t quite convert, so hopefully England does us a favour. We’ll watch it together, cheering on the England team and hoping for the best.”

Samoa head coach Ramsey Tomokino was proud of the effort shown by his team and was clear as to how they could improve. “It’s a learning curve for our players,” he said. “We have enjoyed our time here. Our 24th player is England. We need opportunities for our team to be playing in competitions so that our players can be better.”

Stat of the Day

Tafuna may be a flanker but it’s the pace she combines with her power that led to the first of her quartet of tries in York. The 22-year-old made 15 carries, traversing 167 metres and scored one-third of her team’s points in their chase of Australia.
Next steps

For USA, it’s a waiting game to see if England can defeat the Wallaroos by 75 points or more. If that happens, USA will play Canada in the quarter-finals.

Samoa head home having won a new army of fans in England and around the world. They may have lost their three pool matches heavily but they contributed hugely to each of their encounters. All but those in the Stars and Stripes inside York Community Stadium were willing them to score their first try of the tournament.