USA defeat Japan in final minutes

The Eagles found themselves on defence for much of the first half. A nearly scoreless second half saw numerous exchanges of possession, with scrappy play from humid conditions giving both sides a tough time. With WXV around the corner, the USA will look to tighten up their set piece plays and work on playing more clinically as they look toward playing top teams in Vancouver.

Head Coach Sione Fukofuka: said “Thank you everyone for coming. It was a massive contest that went for 80 minutes. Clearly both teams could’ve won in the end and we respect the talents of the Sakura 15. We would’ve liked to have been smarter with our rugby and played in the right areas of the field more often. Clearly we had a lot of character in defence to keep turning up and to get that last turnover.”

Captain Tess Feury added: “Thank you to the fans for being here. This is an amazing crowd and stadium. It’s been a really big two weeks of games. We went back this week to the drawing board and it was messy at times but our work rate pulled through at the end and we were able to stay calm and get that win on the board. That first half we played 35 min of defence. That was a lot for us and we really showed our physicality and Japan was really showing their attacking skills. I thought it was a wonderful matchup. At halftime we said we need the ball more in their half. When we got in their half we got opportunities and eventually it came knocking. It wasn’t as pretty as we wanted it to be but I think we really pulled through.”

The Eagles were strong at the start, winning an early Japan line out and running down into the host’s territory. The USA attack continued as a penalty advantage gave the Eagles their first line out of the day. Japan took advantage of a shaky USA line out, but a penalty gave it back for another shot. Deep in Japan territory, the Eagles threw the ball into a rolling maul, and Kathryn Treder touched the ball down over the try line. But a TMO look called a forward pass, giving Japan a scrum. Determined, the Eagles won a scrum penalty, and they earned another shot at the line out and maul, this time earning the five points.

The rest of the first half would be a lot of defence for the Eagles, as they worked to keep Japan away from the try line. A messy, wet ball from the summer humidity gave way to many mistakes on both sides, forcing penalties and turnovers. Both teams took to the boot many times as well, trying to gain territory.

But Japan kept control for most of the first half, staying steady through phases and being patient with the USA defence. Their work rate paid off as the Sakura touched down the ball and earned five points to tie up the score. The host team gained some confidence off that well-deserved try, breaking away and carrying the ball deep into USA territory. The Eagles had some attack opportunities, but a Japan side well-seasoned in poaching the ball ended the USA momentum multiple times.

As the Sakura went again for another 15+ phase attempt to score, an offside call gave them a penalty kick, giving them the lead heading into halftime. Erica Jarrell left the field for an injury assessment, giving Tessa Hann the chance to run out and earn her first cap for the Eagles.

Coming back on the field, the Eagles determined to take more control of the ball. The second half began with a big kicking game again, as debutante Tessa Hann broke away and ran down field. That momentous line break gave the USA some confidence as they finally headed into Japan territory, where a penalty led McKenzie Hawkins to a penalty kick, tying up the score. That would be the last points for either team until the final minutes of the game.

The rest of the second half was an exchange for possession, from penalties, handling errors, or clearing kicks. The Eagles had many set piece opportunities that they couldn’t capitalize on, as Japan’s defence put up great pressure to take the ball. McKenzie Hawkins kicked an epic 50-22, giving the USA a line out. But small mistakes led to Japan taking back control with a scrum.

Undaunted, the Eagles worked hard to stay in Japan territory. Off a line out, the squad worked through many phases to get the ball over the try line, Japan’s defensive wall holding tight. Rachel Ehrecke finally pushed through enough to get the ball over, but a TMO check called no try, sending it back for Japan’s attack. But the USA remained calm in those final moments and worked back down field, where a penalty gave Hawkins another kicking chance, putting the USA up by three with a few minutes left in the match.

Japan were just as determined, and worked through the final seconds to try to end with a score and take back the win. But one mistake gave the ball back to the USA, giving them the win 11-8.

The Eagles have a lot to take away from the last two weeks, as they wrap up their time in Japan and prepare to take on top teams in England, France, and Ireland at WXV 1 next month.

Japan: 1. Aimi Mine; 2. Asuka Kuge; 3. Kazuko Kitano; 4. Yuna Sato; 5. Yoshimura Otoha; 6. Masami Kawamura; 7. Nagata Iroha; 8. Seina Saito; 9. Moe Tsukui; 10. Otsuka Shusha; 11. Imakugi Komachi; 12. Yu Hirotsu; 13. Mana Furuta; 14. Misaki Matsumura; 15. Nishimura Sora

16. Komaki Hinata; 17. Kotomi Taniguchi; 18. Nagata Koho; 19. Sakurako Mukai; 20. Kyoko Hosokawa; 21. Megumi Abe; 22. Kanako Kobayashi; 23. Minoru Yamamoto

USA: 1. Catie Benson; 2. Kathryn Treder (VC); 3. Keia Mae Sagapolu; 4. Erica Jarrell; 5. Hallie Taufoou; 6. Rachel Ehrecke; 7. Tahlia Brody; 8. Freda Tafuna; 9. Taina Tukuafu; 10. McKenzie Hawkins (VC); 11. Tess Feury (C); 12. Katana Howard; 13. Emily Henrich; 14. Bulou Mataitoga; 15. Sariah Ibarra

16. Paige Stathopoulos; 17. Alivia Leatherman; 18. Maya Learned; 19. Jenny Kronish; 20. Tessa Hann; 21. Sophie Pyrz; 22. Gabby Cantorna; 23. Nana Fa'avesi