Rogers leaves it late for the USA Eagles

By Mark Stevens
25/3/23

Two tries from Hope Rogers helped the USA Eagles to a 20-14 victory over Spain in Madrid.

The Exeter Chiefs prop gave the visitors an early lead, finding her way over the try-line inside the opening six minutes at the Estadio Nacional Complutense.

Rogers would also claimed the match-winning score late on as Spain battled back impressively through the efforts of Claudia Pena.

Also on the try-sheet for the visitors, who were captained by Exeter’s Kate Zackary, was Eti Haungatau with Gabby Cantorna landing two conversions.

Interim head coach Rich Ashfield noted, “Obviously happy to get the win, also very happy to have handed out eight new caps to players who looked comfortable on the international stage. We set out to win the gain-line and be physical, and I think we did that overall.

“We need to be a bit more clinical in the opposition 22, but we are creating very clear chances we just need to put them away. I think this was a good baseline and I think shows we are going in the right direction, we just need a little more cohesion and that comes with time together. We are well aware Canada will be a very different beast and will punish us for our errors.”

The Eagles will now ready themselves for their meeting with Canada for the first match of the 2023 Pacific Four Series next Saturday.