Six Chiefs in USA squad to face Australia

By Mark Stevens
10/6/22

Six of Susie Appleby's Exeter Chiefs Women's squad have been named in the USA Eagles side to face Australia in Waitakere on Saturday.

Having jetted into New Zealand straight from their Allianz Premier 15s final against Saracens, they are now primed and ready for the second of three fixtures in the 2022 Pacific Four Series.

Forwards Hope Rogers, Rachel Johnson and Kate Zackary, who will also captain her side, all start the game, as does winger Jennine Detiveaux and centre Gabby Cantora. Fly-half Megan Foster has been named amongst the replacements.

The Women’s Eagles have not played Australia since the 2014 Rugby World Cup in France, a match the USA won 23-20. The Wallaroos faced host New Zealand in the first round of this year’s tournament, jumping out to a 10-0 early lead before turning scoring over to the Black Ferns in an eventual 23-10 loss. 

The USA, meanwhile, opened up their tournament with a 36-5 loss to Canada.

Head coach Rob Cain said: "Australia are a real threat and have shown over the last two months and three test matches in that window that they can win both the physical battle, kicking battle and enjoy playing to the wide spaces when they are given the opportunity. It’s the first time we have had this match day squad together as a collective, and even though we have only had three days together, we are already starting to see combinations and experience come together.

“As a collective, we are looking to put our best foot forward against Australia, we didn’t ask enough questions of Canada in the middle part of the game and this game gives the players the perfect platform to remedy this so soon.”

USA EAGLES SIDE TO FACE AUSTRALIA WOMEN

15 Bulou Mataitoga (Loughborough Lightning)
14 Charlotte Clapp (Saracens)
13 Alev Kelter (Saracens)
12 Katana Howard (Sale Sharks)
11 Jennine Detiveaux (Exeter Chiefs)
10 Gabby Cantorna (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Bridget Kahele (Beantown RFC)
1 Hope Rogers (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Joanna Kitlinksi (Sale Sharks)
3 Nick James (Sale Sharks)
4 Jordan Matyas (USA Sevens)
5 Hallie Taufoou (Loughborough Lightning)
6 Elizabeth Cairns (Life West Gladiatrix)
7 Rachel Johnson (Exeter Chiefs
8 Kate Zackary (Exeter Chiefs, capt)

16 Kathryn Treder (Beantown RFC)
17 Maya Learned (Gloucester-Hartpury)
18 Charli Jacoby (Loughborough Lightning)
19 Kristine Sommer (Gloucester-Hartpury)
20 Kathryn Johnson (Twin City Amazons)
21 Carly Waters (Saracens)
22 Megan Foster (Exeter Chiefs)
23 Tess Feury (New York Rugby Club)