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'Have to do what other countries are doing': Why USA women's rugby must become professional
United States flanker Rachel Johnson said she would “love to see” professional contracts given to Eagles players by the next Women’s Rugby World Cup.
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The Eagles were the first women’s team to taste World Cup glory back in 1991, after they beat England 19-6 in the Final at Cardiff Arms Park.
But women’s rugby has reached new levels during this World Cup in New Zealand, but not many nations are fielding professional teams.
Johnson, who plays her club rugby with Exeter Chiefs, believes the Eagles have to become professional if they are to compete with the best teams in the world.
“What’s really exciting about women’s rugby right now is the growth that you’ve seen internationally,” said after the quarter-final loss to Canada.
“There used to be a few top teams and now as programs are really investing in their teams, we’ve seen a lot of growth, and not just growth but unique styles of play.
“The World Cup has been awesome to be able to be exposed to that type of play.
“You’ve seen the impact and the different it makes to have contracted players so if we want to continue to grow and try to be the best in the world, we have to do what other countries are doing.”
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The United States began their World Cup campaign with a tough 12-point loss to Italy in Whangarei, before bouncing back with a promising win over Japan.
After losing their third and final pool game against Canada in Auckland, the Eagles were have another chance to challenge their rivals in the quarter-final.
The Black Ferns went 17-nil down inside 30 minutes in their Rugby World Cup opener against Australia. #RWC2021 #WomensRugby https://t.co/zY8EUXf96n
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 1, 2022
The Eagles, who are ranked seventh in the world, held their own during the first half of their knockout clash with World No. 3 Canada.
Hooker Joanna Kitlinski gave the United States the lead with a try inside the opening 10 minutes, before their opponents responded with the next three tries.
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With the two teams separated by just eight-points early in the second half, a yellow card to inside centre Alev Kelter was an unfortunate turning point for the Eagles.
Canada ran away with the Test 32-11, and booked their place in a blockbuster semi-final against powerhouse England at Eden Park this weekend.
While their World Cup campaign has come to an end, Johnson believes that the United States’ two games against Canada “were definitely our best matches.”
“Obviously gutted by the result but I think Canada brings out a real rivalry in us and a real energy in us.
“Our last two games against Canada were definitely our best matches here at the World Cup.
“I’m so proud of my teammates. That first-half really showed the rugby that we’re capable of playing. Then there was just 20 minutes there in the second (half) that just let us down that was hard to come back from.”
"The Black Ferns forward pack has been changed consistently in 2022 and has been the subject of earnest examination"
– Adam Julian runs an eye over the big questions for the Ferns ahead of their semi-final. #RWC2021 #NZLvFRA https://t.co/OltA6RBDDt— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 1, 2022
Canada were be leading by just four points before a try to Paige Farries after the half-time siren had sounded extended their lead.
Aside from a penalty goal to the Eagles’ Kelter in the 45th minute, the second half was all Canada who scored 13-points to three after the break.
United States head coach Rob Cain said he was proud of the “really special group” after their quarter-final exit.
“It’s a hard one. We did everything right in the first 40 minutes, and that 20 minutes after half-time we just didn’t do what we spoke about all week,” Cain said on the Rugby World Cup Twitter page.
“Credit to Canada, it’s not about us. Canada came out in the second-half, they did really well in that 20 minute window.
“We want to play rugby but when you’re chasing the game in these conditions, the unforced errors started adding up and we got more and more away from what we wanted to do, which was unfortunate because they’re a really special group and I’m really proud of them.”
Canada will play England in the first semi-final at Eden Park, before tournament hosts New Zealand take on France.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to comments