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England secure first win of the San Diego Super Series
By Online Editors
The Red Roses secured a bonus-point 38-5 win over USA Women in their Women’s Rugby Super Series opener in San Diego.
In glorious sunny conditions at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in California, it was England who opened the scoring when Amber Reed, on her 50th cap, launched a crossfield kick that bounced kindly for Poppy Cleall to feed Kelly Smith to stroll in – Emily Scarratt converting.
The hosts were level five minutes later when a couple of powerful forward drives saw Hope Rogers cross from close range, but Claudia Macdonald’s sniping run off the back of a ruck saw her dart in from 10 metres out for her first England try.
Scarratt then read a USA attacking move to intercept the ball and canter in under the posts, and then converted her own score, before some powerful work from the pack was rewarded when hooker Heather Kerr drove over for the bonus-point, and a 26-5 half-time lead.
Two minutes after the break, Poppy Cleall was shown a yellow card but this did not stop England’s momentum as Kerr grabbed her second off the back of a driving maul from a lineout.
Natasha Hunt then pounced on a loose kick by the Eagles to gather and sprint in from just outside their 22, Scarratt getting her fourth conversion, and although England continued to press they could not add to their six tries.
The victory was England’s 18th straight victory over USA in all competitions since the very first meeting in the 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup final, which the Eagles won.
This was the first of a four-game round robin tournament that England will play in California. They next face Canada in eight days before matches against France and New Zealand.
England head coach Simon Middleton siad: “It was a tough game, a very physical game which we expected. We couldn’t quite get our attacking game going but our set piece was really good at times.
“I thought the USA were outstanding for the first 10 or 15 minutes of the game in particular, they were very physical and came at us. However, what we did do was defend outstandingly well. So attacking wise plenty to work on, but we really put in a great defensive shift.
“It is a bonus-point win and it gets us up and running. Everyone has got some game time under the belt now and there is a bit more conditioning with the heat so we're really pleased with the overall outcome of the game.”
Teams
USA
15. Bulou Mataitoga, 14. Bui Baravilala, 13. Alev Kelter, 12. Fane Haungatau, 11. Jennine Duncan, 10. Gabriella Cantorna, 9. Ashlee Byrge; 1. Catie Benson, 2. Joanna Kitlinski, 3. Hope Rogers, 4. Kristine Sommer, 5. Stacey Bridges, 6. Kate Zackary (capt), 7. Joycelynn Taufa, 8. Asinate Serevi.
Replacements
16. Nick James, 17. Charli Jacoby, 18. Alycia Washington, 19. Elizabeth Cairns, 20. Olivia Ortiz, 21. Emily Henrich, 22. Kris Thomas, 23. Katana Howard.
England
15. Sarah McKenna, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Amber Reed, 11. Kelly Smith, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Claudia Macdonald; 1. Ellena Perry, 2. Heather Kerr, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Scott (capt), 6. Jo Brown, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Poppy Cleall.
Replacements
16. Clara Nielson, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Chloe Edwards, 19. Catherine O’Donnell, 20. Sarah Beckett, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Millie Wood, 23. Emily Scott.
- England Rugby
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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