‘They make me look good’: Bella Vogel puts team first after historic World Rugby nomination

Jack Hanratty already knew that Bella Vogel was a talent when he first called her into Eagles camp. Two-footed kickers do not grow on trees. It was when the 19-year-old sang he knew she was a special player.

This year has been the year of Vogel. On Friday, the 19-year-old will make her 10th Test appearance of 2026 when the USA take on the Red Roses. Ahead of the fixture, she was nominated for World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, becoming the first Eagle to receive the recognition. She could even have the award in her hands by full-time at Sports Illustrated Stadium.

“From day one, Bella commanded the room,” Hanratty said. “We use the field as different music genres. In the middle is disco, which is the equivalent of Emilie Bydwell’s street ball – it’s a little bit more fluid. We call it a ‘just say yes’ mentality.

“I was getting the players to tell me what songs represented that. Country is a little more structured and we have that for when we need to be more structured. Then we have our rock and out mosh when we’re in their area.

“Bella was 19 in the first camp, she was the first voice to say, ‘It’s kind of like this disco song’. I didn’t know it, I said, ‘Oh sing it, Bella’. In front of 30 players she hadn’t met before, at 19 years of age, stood up and sang. That was the moment I thought: this is a new era.”

Ever-present for the Eagles since making her debut against the Black Ferns in Pacific Four Series action in April, Vogel’s kicking and distribution has been key to the USA’s current five game win streak.

Dating back to their July victory over South Africa, the USA have won five consecutive matches, including all four of their WXV Global Series fixtures in September and October. Last time out the Eagles were 54-24 winners against Italy in Nashville, Tennessee. The hosts scored eight tries at Geodis Park. All eight tries were scored by forwards, Vogel converted seven.

Two days later and her nomination for Breakthrough Player of the Year was confirmed. Vogel was quick to share the credit.

“I keep getting told, ‘Don’t let your head get too big’ and all that,” she smiled. “I could not [have been nominated] without the team. They make me look good.

‘I give the ball to Freda [Tafuna] and she runs through 10 people. That’s kind of just how our team works. You need your whole team to win an award.”

For the Eagles, Vogel’s nomination is also recognition of a programme beginning to attract attention. Their five-match winning streak has certainly helped.

“It’s an incredible individual accolade,” Hanratty said. “For a number of years, at times there has been talent in this programme that maybe didn’t get international recognition. Sometimes you can feel that.

“There were players in the room who were probably those athletes who deserved a bit more recognition. You could feel the energy and happiness towards one of our own.”