Player comparisons: Eagles and Wallaroos set up grandstand pool finish

Playing out an all-time classic in front of a raucous crowd at York’s LNER Community Stadium, the USA Eagles and Australian Wallaroos could not be separated as they played out a 31 – 31 draw.

Setting up a grandstand finish to the pool phases next week, both sides are acutely aware of what they need to achieve.

For the Eagles, a big bonus point win over Samoa is non-negotiable, whilst for the Wallaroos, securing a bonus point of any kind against the Red Roses will keep their campaign alive.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Focusing on the here and now, the match was a tale of two very different approaches.

In the blue corner, the USA’s power game with their big ball carriers had the Australian defence creaking and often breaking. Racing forward when they kept their play tight, Sione Fukofuka showed incredible fight to come back on several occasions.

Coming out swinging in the yellow corner, the Wallaroos did their best work in the wide channels. Displaying immense composure in challenging conditions, Jo Yapp’s side got around the fringes of the Eagles’ defence. Mirroring their North American opponents, the Wallaroos refused to throw in the towel when they fell behind with ten minutes to play. Instead, they would score the match-tying try through replacement tighthead Eva Karpani.

With the stage now set for a straight shootout on the final weekend of pool action, here is how the two sides fared in their head-to-head.

Fixture

Women's Rugby World Cup

USA Women

31 - 31

Full-time

Australia Women

All Stats and Data

Front Row – advantage USA

Recovering from a challenging start, the Eagles’ front row steadied the scrum but, more importantly, were hugely influential in the carrying stakes.

Far and away at their best when going direct, the Eagles prop pairing of Hope Rogers and Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele clattered over the Australian defensive line. Their efforts were rewarded with a try apiece.

Topping the carry charts with 20, Sagapolu Sanele trailed only Emily Henrich with 52 meters made.

Matching the impressive showing of her props, hooker Kathryn Treder was laser accurate at line-out time with a 94% win rate from her 17 throws.

Second Row – advantage USA

Hands down the Eagles’ star performer through the opening two rounds, Erica Jarrell-Searcy added a second try to her ledger at the tournament. This time, whilst the score wasn’t from 50 meters out, the impact of her score saved her side’s campaign.

Spotting a gap around the ruck, the lock showed her explosive power to burst through the Wallaroos’ defence to dot down under the posts.

Defensively, Jarrell-Searcy topped the tackle charts for her side with 13 and dominated the line-out with six takes to repel wave after wave of Australian attacks.

Complimenting her lock partner, Hallie Taufoou put in a strong 76-minute shift, which saw her make nine tackles, five line-out takes and crucially a monstrous amount of ruck impacts.

Back Row – advantage USA

Precision personified; the Eagles’ backrow went to work from the off.

Getting on top of the Wallaroos in the tight exchanges, Freda Tafuna and Rachel Johnson combined for a whopping 37 carries. Netting three tries on the evening (albeit Hope Rogers was awarded Tafuna’s third try on the scoreboard), Tafuna brought a decisive edge to her side when they got within striking distance.

Earning a well-deserved player of the match award, Tafuna played a huge role in keeping her team’s campaign alive heading into the final round of pool action.

At number eight, Johnson did what she always does and got through a mountain of work. In addition to her 20 carries, Johnson relentlessly chopped down the Wallaroos’ ball carriers with 13 tackles.

Tying it all together, Captain Kate Zackary did the hard yards at the breakdown and in defence. As ever, Zackary’s composed nature when dealing with the match officials ensured that as the Wallaroos racked up the penalties, they were punished. In general play, Zackary got her hands free in contact and had a few half breaks that got her side over the gainline.

Halfbacks – advantage Australia 

In one of the tighter areas, the Wallaroos just edged the halfback head-to-head.

Samantha Wood’s up-tempo play at the breakdown sets the platform for the Wallaroos backline to flourish with the limited opportunities that came their way.

Playing a steady role outside Woods, flyhalf Faitala Moleka flashed moments of brilliance, in particular with the ball in hand. When her side was under the pump, she found solid touch from the boot. In attack, her ability to get width on her passes set up her back three for success on the edges.

Equally busy at the breakdown as her Australian counterpart, Cassidy Bargell, whipped out 86 passes as her pack went route one into the heart of the Wallaroos’ defence.

Growing in stature throughout the contest, flyhalf McKenzie Hawkins overcame a couple of early misses from the tee to land the clutch shots that got her team in front. Kicking from hand was a struggle for Hawkins in the challenging conditions, but she more than fronted up physically with a handful of direct carries late in the contest.

Centre – advantage USA

Leaving her stamp on proceedings, Ilona Maher’s breakdown work was nothing short of spectacular. Utilising all of her sevens skills, Maher’s ability to make the tackle, get back to her feet, release and contest earned her three turnovers.

Putting to rest the biggest selection story of the week, Emily Henrich fully justified her shift to the inside centre berth ahead of the experienced Alev Kelter.

Topping the meters made charts with 94 from 17 carries, Henrich’s ability to slip the first tackle was noticeable and was instrumental in the Eagles’ vastly improved attack.

Back Three – advantage Australia

Already nailed on as one of the stars of the competition, Desiree Miller was at times unplayable. Adding another two tries to her tally, Miller’s five tries in the opening two rounds have made her a firm candidate to be the top try scorer when the tournament is all said and done.

In full, Miller’s stat line of 64 meters made, three line breaks, two defenders beaten, and of course the two tries is all the more impressive when taking into account the horrendous weather conditions on the evening.

Not to be outdone by her winger, teenage sensation Caitlyn Halse had another statement performance. Setting up two tries, scoring two of her own and dominating the air, Halse played well beyond her 18 years once again.

Completing the Wallaroos back three was Maya Stewart, who struggled to impose herself with just a lone carry. Her work rate on the kick chase was notable, and her defensive showing of 7 tackles was par for the course.