'I don’t think that will ever happen again': Otago's Abigail Paton on wild USA debut

In December, Abigail Paton, who plays halfback for Matatu and Otago Spirit, went on holiday to Denver, Colorado, with her parents, Paul and Traci.

Just four months later, Paton made her debut for the USA, playing 27 minutes in the Eagles’ 48-15 loss to the Black Ferns at the start of the Pacific Four (PAC4) series in Sacramento.

“It was a surreal experience facing the haka and competing against Matatu teammates Georgia Ponsonby, Laura Bayfield, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Maia Joseph, and even debutant Justine McGregor, whom I know from a New Zealand Under 20s camp,” Paton told RugbyPass.

“It was a tough game, but they pulled ahead in the second half. All those players congratulated me afterwards, which was special.

“In New Zealand, a haka is both a challenge and a sign of respect. Before the game, I got a video from family and friends congratulating me. In that video, Johnny Herewini, my old PE teacher from East Otago High School, performed a haka. That meant the world to me.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

0

Draws

0

Wins

5

Average Points scored

12

40

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

Abigail’s mum, Traci, was born in the USA and met her dad, Paul, while she was on exchange at Lincoln University in Canterbury, where Paul was studying agriculture.

They fell in love, and Paul followed Traci back to the US, where he interned at Denver Rescue Mission for a year. He then spent nine more years working on the Mission’s farm, helping people overcome addiction and homelessness. They got married, and Abigail, one of three siblings, was born in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Patons started a beef and sheep farm in Otago and have continued to serve their community. Paul has been on the board of trustees at Palmerston School and East Otago High School, and the couple have run Christian camps on their farm during school holidays.

An evangelical zeal to do things has rubbed off on Abigail. While at East Otago High School, she was head prefect, achieved excellence levels in her academic studies, and won the senior girls’ cross-country and all-around sportsperson of the year titles while representing Otago in touch and rugby.

She made her debut for the Otago Spirit in the Dame Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) in 2023, her final year of school. She played in wins against Taranaki (41-0) and North Harbour (37-12 & 39-13).

A season with Canterbury in 2024 raised her rugby a few notches. She played all eight games for the Red and Blacks, who made the Premiership final but lost narrowly to Waikato.

In 2025, she was back in Otago, helping the Spirit win the second-division championship. In a standout campaign, where she also covered first five eighths, she scored tries in wins against North Harbour (34-33), Wellington (32-26), Tasman (48-15), Taranaki (77-12), and Northland (31-22). Otago beat Northland 37-12 in the final but will not be promoted in 2026 due to changes to the competition structure.

“I feel ripped off by that,” moaned Paton.

“I loved rugby in Otago. We were encouraged to play a fast, expansive style, which suits my game. I’ve tried to bring some of those skills to America, where the game is sometimes more forward-oriented.”

That attacking approach appealed to Matatu, then coached by current Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen. Though Paton received little game time, she described her Super Rugby Aupiki experience as enjoyable and has been recontracted in 2026.

Still, while on holiday in Denver, she hoped to stay in shape and had been on the radar of former Black Fern and US assistant coach Mel Bosman, as well as current US assistant coach Sarah Chobot. Paton reached out for help and was soon invited to take part in an Eagles training camp, where things clicked.

“I felt an instant connection with the girls, which was awesome. I loved Jack Hanratty’s game plan, too. It was different from what was played previously, challenging and fast. It felt right, and here I am,” Paton said.

Paton has arrived as suddenly as a bolt of lightning, much like the weather in PAC4, which has delayed kickoffs and even forced officials to tell spectators to go home when Canada played Australia in Sacramento.

Following their defeat to the Black Ferns, the USA rebounded strongly to overpower Australia 33-12, their largest-ever win against the Wallaroos. Paton played the last half hour, during which they outscored Australia 21-0. The USA had just one win in their last 21 Tests against the world’s top 10 teams.

“Storm delays are a new experience for me. It’s already hard enough to control your excitement without that,” Paton laughed.

“I enjoy a fast game, so I guess those conditions aren’t natural for that. I really enjoyed it, though. There’s something surreal about lightning, skidding in the rain, and playing after midnight. I don’t think that will ever happen again.”

This weekend, the USA hosts Canada in their final PAC4 fixture in Chicago. The USA haven’t beaten Canada, who were soundly beaten by the Black Ferns 36-14 in the previous round, in 11 consecutive matches.