New captain, six potential debutants in USA side to face Black Ferns

Coach Jack Hanratty has named six potential debutants in the first USA Women’s Eagles team of the 2026 season, named to take on the Black Ferns at Sacramento’s Heart Health Park to kick off the Pacific Four Series.

As USA Rugby announced earlier this week, Erica Jarrell-Searcy will captain the national team during Pac Four. The USA start their season against the Black Ferns before taking on the Wallaroos and then world no. 2 Canada.

Fly-half Bella Vogel and blindside flanker Hann Humphreys will both make their international rugby debuts in a couple days’ time after being named in the First XV, while a further four uncapped players are in line to come off the bench.

Experienced prop Hope Rogers starts at loosehead, set to pack down alongside hooker Kathryn Treder and tighthead Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele. Jarrrell-Searcy and Hallie Taufoou complete the tight five as the two locks.

Humphreys and openside flanker Georgie Perris-Redding join Freda Tafuna in the loose forwards. Tafuna was a clear standout in the USA’s big win over Samoa at last year’s Rugby World Cup, finishing the Pool A match with a remarkable four-try haul.

Cass Bargell will link up with debutant Vogel in the halves, while Katana Howard combines with Emily Henrich as the centre pairing. Erica Coulibaly and Bulou Mataitoga are the two wingers, while Olympian Alev Kelter starts at fullback.

“It’s been a fast learning for all staff and athletes, but the one thing that has been there from day one is the willingness and openness to create an Eagles style of rugby,” Hanratty said.

“We want to explore the game – give the right to try things and be adaptive and responsive to all elements in the game. We only know where we are when tested, and who better to be tested by than historically the most successful Women’s rugby program in the world?”

This match is scheduled to get underway at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday evening.

Fixture

Pacific Four Series

USA Women

16:00

11 Apr 26

New Zealand Women

All Stats and Data

USA Women’s Eagles to take on Black Ferns

1. Hope Rogers

2. Kathryn Treder

3. Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele

4. Hallie Taufoou

5. Erica Jarrell-Searcy (C)

6. Hann Humphreys*

7. Georgie Perris-Redding

8. Freda Tafuna

9. Cass Bargell

10. Bella Vogel*

11. Erica Coulibaly

12. Katana Howard

13. Emily Henrich

14. Bulou Mataitoga

15. Alev Kelter

Replacements:
16. Hope Cooper*
17. Reece Woods*
18. Alivia Leatherman
19. Emerson Allen
20. Ina Bailey
21. Abigail Paton*
22. Kristin Bitter
23. Telesi Uhatafe*