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'Shout out to the girls': USA 'proud' despite pool stage exit
Saturday saw an afternoon of tries galore at the York Community Stadium but it was not enough for the USA Eagles to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, despite securing a 60-point margin win over Samoa, their biggest since 2002.
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While the score might’ve been insufficient to upend Australia’s match points difference in pool A, Sione Fukofuka’s side put up a good show, slicing open the Samoan blockade 11 times and beating 46 defenders in their attacking play.
Winning player of the match for the second week running, flanker Freda Tafuna commented after the match:
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, we know Samoa is a physical team and we knew that the points were a big thing in this tournament, so we tried to put on a show and put as many points on the board as possible. Shout out to the girls, my family and friends back home and thank you to the crowd – you guys are the best!”
USA scrum-half Cassidy Bargell was happy with the Eagles’ performance but saw room for improvement.
“We’re obviously not upset with scoring 60 points, but we definitely wanted to get more on the board,” said the 25-year-old who was key to her team’s offensive performance. “There were some things where we could have been more clinical and ruthless and got more points. We’ve been more clinical in our system before, and in the second half especially we let the game slow down and we didn’t push the score.
“We’ve started to believe in ourselves and in our system to execute high-level rugby. We are known for being a physical team, but now, I think, people are starting to see us as true rugby players with a good system, that try to play with a variety of options. I hope we can continue to push forward and compete at a high level,” shared the Boston Banshees half back.
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Veteran captain Kate Zackary echoed the happiness with the team’s overall performance and growth over the course of the World Cup.
“I am really happy with what the team has done. You can always look back and think about things we could’ve made different, but the team stuck together, and I am proud of it.
“Against England, we showed up when it came down to multiple-phase defence, and while they caught us in the transition phases, we improved when we faced Australia. And finally, in this last match, our attack came to life without lowering the guard of our defence,” said the Trailfinders back row.
Even when down to 14 players, the Eagles managed to stave off the Samoans from scoring a try, an effort applauded by Zackary.
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“If you are able to manage yourself and your emotions in moments when you are down to 14, it is a huge step up. We were patient, and even knowing we had targeted a scoreline, the team trusted the system and worked as a unit.”
Although the campaign didn’t end up how they had envisioned, the US skipper praised her team’s unity and dedication throughout the year.
“The team has given up so much of their lives to be here, as we’ve been together in camp since July, working together for straight ten weeks. They were dedicated to the cause, and it makes me proud to play alongside them.”
Utility back Gabriella Cantorna gave her assessment of the match, agreeing the team performed well in their closing game.
“We gave our all, trusted in our processes and did our best, and I think it showed in the variety of tries we scored. We brought our strengths to the forefront, and we can’t be unhappy with what we have done against Samoa,” said the Exeter Chiefs back.
For Cantorna, the Eagles have made significant progress since 2017, and their positive games in the last two weekends are a perfect example of it.
“Rugby is growing and expanding, and you can see that in our university programmes, and that has a clear link to the decision-making that we have on the pitch. It has been nothing but positive from this World Cup campaign. We are taking the right steps in growing rugby as a brand in the US.”
Despite now heading home, the Eagles made an impact at this tournament and are hoping that their strong performances against Australia and Samoa will resonate with fans back home.
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