Eagles make seven changes for Springbok Women clash in Pretoria

Jack Hanratty has made seven changes for the USA Women’s Eagles’ second Test with South Africa on Saturday afternoon in Pretoria.

Last weekend the Eagles lost 34-21 against the Springbok Women at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. All three try scorers – Ashley Cowdrey, Elizabeth Cook and Freda Tafuna – have all been named as starters.

In the pack, Cook has earned her first USA start, with Reece Woods taking a place among the replacements, Emerson Allen is promoted to a starting role in the second row and Hann Humphreys has replaced Kate Zackary in the back-row.

Elsewhere, Olivia Ortiz and Kristin Bitter are named as the starting half-pack partnership. Bella Vogel is named at inside centre and will partner Tessa Hann. Telesi Uhatafe is moved to the wing in a back three that also contains Bulou Mataitoga and Ashley Cowdrey.

Hooker Chloe Hill-Huse is in line to make her Eagles debut from a bench that also contains the talents of Kapoina Bailey, Katana Howard and Alev Kelter.

Jack Hanratty, USA Women’s Eagles head coach, said: “Ellis Park delivered the challenge we expected from South Africa. They opened with ferocity and intent and we didn’t match it. We had some good impact from some of our less experienced players but ultimately it was moments and not momentum.

“Looking ahead at Pretoria, our focus all week has been on executing excellence and delivering for the full 80 minutes, and we’re excited to see this group chase the result we know we are capable of.

“This group is brilliant at learning from moments and we learned a lot on Saturday. The challenge now will be how much we learned from this week of learning.”

USA Women’s Eagles matchday 23 v South Africa

15. Ashley Cowdrey
14. Bulou Mataitoga
13. Tessa Hann
12. Bella Vogel
11. Telesi Uhatafe
10. Kristin Bitter
9. Olivia Ortiz
1. Hope Rogers
2. Kathryn Treder
3. Elizabeth Cook
4. Emerson Allen
5. Hallie Taufoou
6. Hann Humphreys
7. Georgie Perris-Redding (C)
8. Freda Tafuna

Replacements

16. Chloe Hill-Huse*
17. Alivia Leatherman
18. Reece Woods
19. Rachel Ehrecke
20. Kapoina Bailey
21. Taina Tukuafu
22. Katana Howard
23. Alev Kelter