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McKenzie Hawkins: 'I hope that we come off as electric'
When it comes to sporting rivalries, few match the intensity of the North American derby between the USA and Canada.
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On the rugby pitch, the two nations are amongst the very best in the world on the Women’s World Rankings with Canada in fourth and the USA in ninth.
Looking to close the gap on their rivals, the USA will host Canada this weekend in round one of the 2024 Pacific Four Series at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.
Previewing the fixture, USA fly half McKenzie Hawkins spoke to RugbyPass ahead of the crunch clash.
“I always look forward to playing Canada with the classic North American rivalry, and you know they are the number four team in the world,” Hawkins said.
Adding further importance to the fixture is the fact that the USA have not played a home test since 2021, a fact not lost on Hawkins and her teammates.
“It’s great to play the best in the world, and having it at home on American soil will definitely change the tune of the game. We’ll have that motivation in front of our home crowd. So, I’m really looking forward to it on the weekend.
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“I think in America we’re such a sports, enthused country, and I think rugby really suits this country, so hopefully, we will see that exponential rise and Americans becoming more and more interested in the rugby.
“The more that we can play at home, get people to come to the games, live, get people to watch the live streams, the better it will be for rugby in the USA.”
Taking a step back to look ahead on a macro level, the Colorado Gray Wolves playmaker said her team wants to build a legacy for the team ahead of the USA-hosted 2033 Rugby World Cup.
“That should increase that exponential growth, and hopefully, by the time it gets to the World Cups here, we’ll have full stands, and everyone will be behind the American teams.
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“Hopefully, I think about the young kids watching us and I want them to really be inspired by how we play and think ‘Oh, that you know they look like superheroes out there’ I want to be that one day.
“When I was growing up, I remember watching the Women’s Eagles on YouTube links and stuff like that. I know that when I was growing up, I watched rugby at the elite level, and that’s how I felt, so hopefully, we will do that.
“I hope that we come off as electric in our attacking and defensive styles. You know, we want to be making those huge hits that have people standing out of their seats and rooting for us.”
Focusing on the immediate challenge, Hawkins identified the key strengths of the Canadians that the Eagles would need to nullify this weekend.
“So, Canada, obviously being number four, has many threats, and we know that they’re really physical in contact, they’re quick to break down, and they hit the gain line hard.
“One thing that we’ll be looking at defensively is getting a quick fold, getting those double hits on, and testing the breakdowns.
“They also have some kicking threats in their attack, which means that you have to be cautious if they’re going to run or kick at all times.
“So just managing those expectations and knowing their players from looking at past film, but I’m excited about the challenge, and I think it’ll be a good game for us to play here.
“I think that their forward pack is really great, and they’re pretty consistent with who they have been playing in this starting forward pack and their back row in particular.
“I think they’re great ball carriers and also defensively very strong. So, I’ll be looking forward to the challenge and also very aware of their back row, especially as the ten in that first channel, so I’m looking forward to meeting them on the field.”
Casting an eye on the challenges that will follow the clash with Canada, Hawkins expects each fixture to throw out a different challenge and more crucially opportunity.
“I’ve been really lucky to be there [New Zealand] a few times the past few years before rugby.
“I love the community and the culture down there. And to be able to play New Zealand in New Zealand is an incredible honour.
“And then I’ve never been to Australia, so I’m really looking forward to that.
“I’ve only played Australia once this past summer and Canada. So I think it’ll be fun to play Australia again.”
Four nations. One winner.
This is the #PacificFourSeries, live on RugbyPass TV from this weekend 🤌#PAC4 pic.twitter.com/sxS7tPfM2V
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) April 26, 2024
Discussing the impact that head coach Sione Fukofuka has had on the squad, Hawkins was excited about the former Wallaroos assistant coach’s plans.
“As a ten, I’m definitely an attack kind of girl, and so the coach’s attack is something that really excites me.
“I think that it plays to our strengths, so he’s definitely analysed us before he came into our team, saw our strengths, and still wants to utilise them while pushing us to know new levels in our attack.
“So, I think that we’ve been implementing them (new processes and tactics) in training, and I’m really excited to put them to the test again.
“We saw in South Africa a bit, but we still had some execution that we know can be better, so hopefully, after this preparation going into Canada, we’ll see even more of our tactics come to life.”
Taking a moment to focus on her teammates, Hawkins was full of admiration for her backline but did highlight three members of the squad who she feels will be crucial this campaign.
“I mean, it’s tough because I love playing with all of the backs, and if I look at all of our backs. I think that everyone is equally amazing.
“I know that I love playing with Tess Feury, but I don’t think we have super young backs this year. Feury is phenomenal and a consistent player.
“Taina [Tukuafu] is coming in at nine these days. She’s one of the younger players, and she just graduated from Lindenwood.
“I love her style of play; she’s super steppy and is not afraid to play a little bit more free-flowing rugby. So, I think she’s one to look out for as she gains experience in this program.
“Lotte Clapp is a top class, player and human.” Hawkins said before delving into what the Saracens captain brings on the pitch “I think that she has so much knowledge, and she doesn’t just sit quietly with it. She imparts that onto us at the right times, on and off the field.
“As a fly half, she’s my wing that’s usually in behind me, and she’s always talking to me and telling me what’s on and what’s not on, and so I really appreciate that from her on the field.
“She is also a great leader, and I love how she leads the team on and off the field. I totally respect Lotte, and I’m very glad she’s on our team.”
Using the PAC4 as a springboard, Hawkins pointed out that there is no better testing ground as the squad builds towards the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
“I think that we’re going to be able to see what works best for us and what we have planned for our strategy and attack against the best in the world and what doesn’t.
“From the PAC4, we can move into WXV and tweak the things that we see ahead of the World Cup.
“Having that belief that we can play better and letting that fuel our behaviours and our habits. I think those things. If we keep working on them, it’ll become the glue for us to become better and better.”
Hawkins and her teammates will take to the pitch to face Canada on Sunday April 28th at 13.30 Pacific Time with the fixture being streamed live on RugbyPass TV.
Rugby World Cup 2025 is coming to England. Register now here to be the first to hear about tickets.
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies are looking good and if they keep their home form up a final is not beyond the realms of possibility. They showed against the Hurricanes exactly how clinical they can be as they absorbed pressure in that contest while also scoring points and applying their own pressure. Reds are well placed as well but need to find consistency. They are building a longer term project with a young side and plenty of quality players. Been surprising to see the strength of Aussie sides this year after the debacle of the world cup. Have NZ sides gotten weaker? Have Aussie sides gotten stronger? A bit of both I would say. Whatever the case its good to see some actual competition between NZ and Aus sides again and thats exactly what the fans wanted and is probably driving better viewership numbers. All of this can only be healthy for Aus and Super Rugby and I hope the Brumbies go all the way.
4 Go to commentsDead time reductions are important as is ball in play time increases. Premiership leads the way in terms of ball in play and Northern refereeing standards around the breakdown has sped up the game significantly. Super Rugby is trying new things but its not leading the way in terms of making gains in reducing dead time and ball in play time. Northern administrators are also not against speeding up the game, on the contrary they want a faster game and have been trying things and are embracing increasing the speed of rugby. Super Rugby isnt providing a blueprint for anything, its just part the agreed upon blueprint that administrators across the world are moving to.
18 Go to commentsSome interesting stats that just proved what my first impression of NZ’s drive to speed up Rugby Union would amount to - fine margins here and there to cut a few seconds off the game and nothing else. To do more there would have to be wholesale changes to the game like doing away with scrums, lineouts and bringing back the ELV’s to have free kicks instead of penalties. Very little chance of it happening but, in the end, Ruby Union would be a 15-man version of Rugby League. There are reasons why Rugby Union is globally more popular that Rugby League and what NZ are also not considering is the unintended consequences of what they want to achieve. This will end up turning Rugby Union into a low value product that will not be acceptable to the paying public. If people really wanted a sped-up version of rugby, then why is Rugby Union globally way more popular than Rugby League? Rugby lovers all over the world are also not stupid and have seen through what NZ are trying to achieve here, selfishly to bring back their glory days of dominance over every other nation and compete with Rugby League that is dominant in Australasia. NH countries just don’t have the cattle, or the fantastic weather needed to play like NZ SR franchises do so good luck to whoever has to try and convince the NH to accept going back to the days of NZ dominance and agreeing to wreck the game in the process. I have serious doubts on the validity of the TV stats presented by GP. All they did was expand the broadcasting base by putting it on free to air, not even any indication of arresting the continued drop in viewership. Match day attendance goes hand in hand with broadcast ratings so if there was an increase in the one you should expect to see it with the other. However, the drop in match day attendance is very evident to the casual highlights package viewer. The only club who looks to be getting solid attendance is the Drua. I am calling it now that NZ’s quest to speed up the game will fail and so will the vote on the 20-minute red card.
18 Go to commentsAll of these media pundits always miss the obvious whenever they analyse what is ailing or assisting the game. Rugby always has contentious points for debate when picking apart individual games and finding fault with itself. All this focus and scrutiny on “speeding up the game”, “high ball in play” etc is all contextual to the fan. As a tv viewer, if you’re absorbed into a game, regardless if your team is playing or not, more ball in play time and action are all byproducts of the contest. A good contest subliminally affects your memory in selectively remembering all the good aspects. A poor contest and your brain has switched off because its a blowout and the result is never in doubt or it’s a real chore to watch and remain engaged throughout. The URC, Top 14 and English premiership are all competitions that feel like there’s real jeopardy each week. The dominance of Super rugby by NZ teams was unhealthy from a sustainable interest perspective. You can’t fault those teams or the players, but the lack of competitions won by SA and Australian teams long term was always going to test the faith and patience of die-hard and casual fans from those regions. SANZAR took their eye off the fans and fans voted with their feet and subscriptions. They were so concerned about expanding their product they forgot the golden rule about broadcasting live sport. Viewers tune in more when there’s an atmosphere and a true contest. You need to fill stadiums to create one, host unions need to do more to service ticket buyers, and this year proves the other, there’s more interest in Super rugby this year only because more games are competitive with less foregone conclusions. All these micro statistics bandied about, only interest the bean counters and trainspotters.
18 Go to commentsThe match experience still sucks at SR games, irrespective of the game being a little quicker. Rugby has to compete with so much in the modern world, if you’re going to get people to leave their houses and pay to watch a game in winter then the experience has to be worthwhile.
18 Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
6 Go to commentsDon’t pay a blind bit of notice to Lukie… he likes the sound of his own voice and is always looking for something controversial to say. He has been banging on about Leinster's defensive system all season like he knows something Jacques Nienebar doesn’t. Which is the reason why he didn’t apply for the job obviously
14 Go to commentsWho got the benefits out of Schmidt, Lowe, Aki, and Gibson Park?
14 Go to commentsWhat’s new its a common occurrence, just the journos out there expecting a negative spin. The outcome will be beneficial to jordie and Leinster. The home grown lads hav got some experience to step up to and be more competitive, that or spend the 6 months keeping the bench warm.
14 Go to commentsI’m all for speeding up the game. But can we be certain that the slowness of the game contributed to fans walking out? I’m not so sure. Super rugby largely suffered from most fans only being able to, really, follow the games played in their own time zone. So at least a third of the fan base wasn’t engaged at any point in time. As a Saffer following SA teams in the URC - I now watch virtually every European game played on the weekend. In SR, I wouldn’t be bothered to follow the games being played on the other side of the world, at weird hours, if my team wasn’t playing. I now follow the whole tournament and not just the games in my time zone. Second, with New Zealand teams always winning. It’s like formula one. When one team dominates, people lose interest. After COVID, with SA leaving and Australia dipping in form, SR became an even greater one horse race. Thats why I think Japan’s league needs to get in the mix. The international flavor of those teams could make for a great spectacle. But surely if we believe that shaving seconds off lost time events in rugby is going to draw fans back, we should be shown some figures that supports this idea before we draw any major conclusions. Where are the stats that shows these changes have made that sort of impact? We’ve measured down to the average no. Of seconds per game. Where the measurement of the impact on the fanbase? Does a rugby “fan” who lost interest because of ball in play time suddenly have a revived interest because we’ve saved or brought back into play a matter of seconds or a few minutes each game? I doubt it. I don’t thinks it’s even a noticeable difference to be impactful. The 20 min red card idea. Agreed. Let’s give it a go. But I think it’s fairer that the player sent off is substituted and plays no further part in the game as a consequence.
18 Go to commentsThose are pretty good draws for the two top Aussie teams. I certainly wouldn't want my Chiefs to have a quarter final in Brisbane. None of the top teams will want the Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsHonestly, I am a bit lost here …. Ireland - RSA was (at least in my opinion) perhaps (from a purely technical / rugby-skills-show point of view) the pinnacle of the RWC2023 - almost flawless playing (putting aside the kicking of RSA which was the difference between the two teams), rugby at it’s very best …. if I were a Bok and after the game some Irish lads came around saying “see you in 5 weeks same place”, I definitely wouldn’t have thought of it as being in any way “arrogant”, rather a sort of jolly “if we both continue to play like this, no one could stop us” - besides, few of us fans would have, at that time, been surprised to see the same teams playing on 23 september and 28 october 2023 ….. well, we all know Ireland chose to hit a slump to keep the QF curse alive …..
137 Go to commentsThere’s value gleaned from having an All Black star running and training with your team. How many games he starts (or even where he plays in the backline) will be decided on a week by week basis based on the needs for that week. But the overall learning and growth for all concerned, I’d think, is massively beneficial. Especially for Irish players.
14 Go to commentsSon, whith just " raw athlete “ , you are able to beat “ better rugby players “ by 74 points…. May be England should recruit in athletics….
1 Go to commentsPffft. It’s not a one-way street bud and Irish teams don’t seem to have had an issue taking kiwi players previously.
14 Go to commentsParticularly great to have captain Scott Barrett back after going off last week for the Crusaders. Codie Taylor a real leader and mighty Tamaiti Williams join Fletcher Newell in the front row. Those 2 will make a big difference. Great bench with the likes of Tom Christie, Jamie Hannah etc who are playing well. Should be a great derby.
1 Go to commentsDoes a blitz defence not have a weekness against a well-placed grubber kick, perhaps angled cleverly. All the defence is up and the full-back can only cover so much ground. Thoughts?
29 Go to commentsWhile Iose is destructive in the Canes set-up, he is not big for an international 8 and could struggle against the top teams. With his speed, he could be developed into a seven but, as Ben points out, he doesn’t show a scavenging game with the Canes or make dominating tackles. Sotutu has shown a step up this year and attitude plus motivation seems to be the big areas of growth. Deserves another AB shot imo.
4 Go to commentsNaholo is my only question mark for this side. He wasn’t the only one who had a forgettable game against the Brumbies but he was passive, defensively poor and generally lacked energy. Needs to get a whole lot busier for me. I would have liked to see Sullivan on that wing with Higgins on the bench (if staying with a 6-2 as BeegMike points out on here!)
3 Go to commentsWell, I am sure that Eben said exactly what he meant to say, exactly how he meant to say it. Does he strike you as a man that doesn't know arrogance when he sees it. He should know it because he has shaken the arrogance out of many foes before.
137 Go to comments