Eagles switch attention to Wales after ‘setting the tone’ with Ireland win

The USA Women’s Eagles kicked off their WXV Global Series campaign with a statement 40-36 victory over Ireland at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.

It was a pulsating 80 minutes of rugby, with Ireland taking a 24-12 lead into the break before the USA produced a remarkable second-half comeback. Four tries after the interval turned the game on its head and saw the Eagles hold their nerve to claim a memorable victory on Irish soil.

Kathryn Treder crossed twice in the second half, with Hallie Taufoou and player of the match Freda Tafuna also finding the try line as Jack Hanratty’s side secured a thrilling win that will provide plenty of confidence heading into the remainder of their WXV Global Series campaign.

Speaking after the final whistle, Tafuna told TG4: “Props to Ireland they really gave it to us. We knew coming into this game that we’d have to give it our all because we’d be the underdogs.

“I’m definitely proud of myself. I had a bit of a rough week with myself, but being able to persevere throughout this game was amazing.

“Honestly props to our coaches. Without them, I don’t think we’d be where we’re at right now,” she added.

“We went into the locker room, and we talked about how we needed to bring up our defence, so that’s what we did, and we came out with the result we wanted.

“I think we’re setting the tone with this game and this win, so I hope we can carry it on with our next matches.”

Her teammate and co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding echoed that belief, highlighting the hard work that had gone into preparing for the series.

“We’ve been in Ireland for two weeks now and working so hard and we’ve had some really tough sessions.

“We always believed this was possible. I never doubted this group. I’m so, so proud.

“That’s what is so special about this team – we don’t give up. Anyone could have watched that first half and written the USA off and thought we were out of it.

“We knew we could win this. When you look around the room, the depth of the bench and the unbelievable players that we have, it’s so exciting and we’re only just getting started.

“We get written off. We know what we’re capable of. There’s a full group that did that, not just the 23. There are 37 training players that we had in last week and it’s down to all of them and the staff,” she added.

The Eagles will now turn their attention to their next challenge, with Wales awaiting them at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday 26 September.

Perris-Redding knows another demanding Test match lies ahead after watching Wales’ opening fixture against South Africa.

“We just watched the Wales game against South Africa, and Wales looked really good and clinical out there and we know they’re a physical team.

“We’re going to go away, work really hard and hopefully go and put a performance out in Cardiff.”

“I’m just so proud,” Perris-Redding concluded with a big smile on her face.