24 - 28

32 - 25

16 - 12

39 - 24

Friday

08:00

Pacific Four Series

USA Eagles make three changes to starting team for Black Ferns

By Ned Lester

32 days ago

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Bristol Bears' Ilona Maher during the Allianz Premier 15s match between Bristol Bears Women and Loughborough Lightning at Shaftesbury Park on February 1, 2025 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)

The USA Eagles are in Auckland to face the Black Ferns and are eyeing their first win of the Pacific Four Series, while their hosts will be desperate for a big scoreline to win back the tournament trophy.

New Zealand shares top spot on the table with Canada, meaning it could come down to bonus points and points differential should both sides emerge victorious this weekend.

The Eagles occupy the bottom of the table after a tight loss to the Wallaroos in round two, but are hoping some personnel shifts will help steer them in the right direction.

Sariah Ibarra, Paige Stathopoulos, and Freda Tafuna have been promoted to the starting XV, with Aliva Leatherman joining the reserves.

“We are focused on bouncing back. There were a lot of great elements from the game last week, but we just weren’t able to convert enough opportunities into points. Set piece is a big part of our DNA, and our ability to transition will be a secondary focus to give us more chances to score,” head coach Sione Fukofuka said.

“We know what the Black Ferns will bring. We’re expecting a physical, up-tempo attacking mindset. They’ve got some very talented players, they’re very well coached, and they’ll be lifted by their home crowd. We’re preparing to match that energy and bring our Eagles’ DNA to the fore – being physical, using the ball well and having opportunities to score off set piece.”

USA team to play New Zealand

Hope Rogers
Paige Stathopoulos
Keia Mae Sagapolu
Hallie Taufoou
Erica Jarrell
Freda Tafuna
Kate Zackary
Rachel Johnson
Olivia Ortiz
Sariah Ibarra
Cheta Emba
McKenzie Hawkins
Ilona Maher
Emily Henrich
Bulou Mataitoga

Reserves

16. Kathryn Treder
17. Alivia Leatherman
18. Charli Jacoby
19. Rachel Ehrecke
20. Tahlia Brody
21. Cass Bargell
22. Nicole Heavirland
23. Tess Feury

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Slow to turn is a downside

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Wiseguy 2 hours ago

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Yeah I’d love for both these guys to really kick on. Finau had more metres per carry, higher post contact metres and more defenders beaten. Parker had more tackles per minute and higher tackle %. Finau had more dominant tackles.

Both have potential to be be absolute beasts.

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JW 2 hours ago

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he is now nailing his throw-ins better this year and seems more deserving this year than last.

That’s just how it goes, can say that for a few positions that have turned into strengths overnight.

Really looking forward to Barrett playing 6.

Lakai and Kirifi should move around once Lakai is available.

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JW 2 hours ago

Scott Robertson names his 35-man All Blacks squad for France series

Hear Rieko might be more of a wing option, and Big Jim and Jordie might be covering the back three too, especially on team runs where it’s more important to have match ups (a full backline defending).

Plus they expected ALB to be out and replaced by a winger for parts of the tour anyways? I like that there is like a 12/13 group their to all fight and learn together, with Timico new and Quinn a first time razor/new coaching group guy.

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Utiku Old Boy 2 hours ago

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JW 2 hours ago

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The new/young midfielders will need some seasoned pro their to bring them through and ALB style wise makes more sense than Havili, though I could see them rotate.

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MM 2 hours ago

Scott Robertson explains Ethan Blackadder's All Blacks omission

Exactly as Razor said. Slackbladder fails miserably in the dominant tackles and go forward stakes!

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JW 2 hours ago

Scott Robertson names his 35-man All Blacks squad for France series

CLW isn’t above 1.9m I wouldn’t say (and Read was about 1.95) but he is a bruiser that can play 6 or 8 (about the same size as Sititi?) alright, could be a part of one of their more mobile trio options I reckon.

I think Blackadder played himself out of a spot in the finals, exemplifying what he doesn’t bring when I hear his games high carries and tackles (semi v Blues) resulted in not 1 meter gained nor dominant tackle/turnover made, respectively.

Plenty to like if he’s a 7, but in that race he looses to Luke and is just not what they’re probably after of a 6. Showed he’s in good form and can be relied upon if needed though.

124 Go to comments

dk 2 hours ago

Scott Robertson explains Ethan Blackadder's All Blacks omission

Simon Parker kept Finau out of Chiefs’ starting lineup. Such a shame he got injured. Hopefully he’ll get a shot later in the year. Unlike Finau, he plays to his immense size. Our future 6.

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Jim Donken 2 hours ago

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SadersMan 2 hours ago

Scott Robertson explains Ethan Blackadder's All Blacks omission

Mate I’m rooting for Finau to grow into that beast we need at #6. Unlike guys like Ethan, Dalton, Cullen, even Luke, who’ve likely hit their ceilings, Finau has loads to give. Jase Ryan rates Finau very highly, as do I. Now it’s up to him.

Yeah. For Lio-Willie to get that call-up above the others is mint.

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ME 3 hours ago

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I’d start Proctor at 13, Reiko at 14 - he naturally carries the ball in his right hand anyway so is better suited to that side of the field. Want to see our wingers with top-end speed..something Reece lacks. Caleb Tangiteau is a huge talent who’s time should come once he’s over his injuries.

Finau has the most potential to grow into the 6 jersey, just like Kaino, who took some time, and just as Frizzell was starting to do. All the others are journeymen, non-specialist 6s, and they don’t offer the extra height in the lineout. Simon Parker might have been close too, had he not been injured. Trio of Ardie at 7, Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 works for me.

Tavatavanawai (gainline/turnovers) and Kirifi (turnovers) off the bench to cause havoc late in the game.

11 Go to comments

Wiseguy 3 hours ago

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Finau definitely passes the eye test. Up to the coaches to coach him now.

I would have been more upset if Lio Willie missed out altogether.

9 Go to comments

SadersMan 3 hours ago

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No, I get it. Jase Ryan, in his post selection individual interview, said the reason in selecting Finau is to build on the great work they began last year. At only 26, 193cms, & 115kgs this makes sense.

Blackadder is obviously still in the mix pending injury etc though I’m pretty rapt for Christian Lio-Willie too.

9 Go to comments