Australia and the USA will renew acquaintances in Kansas City on Friday night, the second match of a Pacific Four double-header. It’s a case of unfinished business, as the two sides finished in a dead heat during their most recent encounter at last year’s World Cup. Both teams will be fighting to avoid bottom spot in the competition.
Current World Ranking: 8 (72.90 points)
2026-04-11 – USA 15, New Zealand 48 (Sacramento)
2025-09-06 – USA 60, Samoa 0 (York)
2025-08-30 – USA 31, Australia 31 (York)
2025-08-22 – England 69, USA 7 (Sunderland)
2025-08-01 – Canada 42, USA 10 (Ottawa)
Current World Ranking: 7 (75.46 points)
2026-04-11 – Canada 24, Australia 0 (Sacramento)
2026-03-27 – Australia 33, Fiji 15 (Canberra)
2025-09-13 – Canada 46, Australia 5 (Bristol)
2025-09-06 – England 47, Australia 7 (Brighton)
2025-08-30 – USA 31, Australia 31 (York)
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IN | OUT |
| n/a | n/a |
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IN | OUT |
| 2 | Tania Naden | Adiana Talakai |
| 3 | Eva Karpani | Bridie O’Gorman |
| 8 | Piper Duck | Michaela Leonard |
- the only changes to the USA lineup are on the bench… veteran hooker Paige Stathopoulos is recalled while flanker Tessa Hann joins from the World Sevens squad… Stathopoulos debuted in 2023 and Hann won her first test cap in 2024
- the Wallaroos have made three personnel changes, all up front… Tania Naden returns from injury at hooker with Eva Karpani swapping in at tighthead prop… Piper Duck starts at the back of the scrum with captain Siokapesi Palu switching to flanker and Kaitlan Leaney moving to lock
- three uncapped players are named on Australia’s bench… second row back row forward Dillyn Blackburn, scrumhalf Ella Ryan, and midfielder Ava Werera
- the two teams fought to a draw in the pool stage at the World Cup, with the Wallaroos advancing to the Quarter Finals ahead of the USA on overall points differential
- both teams feature 9 starters who also ran out at York last year
Jack Hanratty (Head Coach)
“Last week we wanted to showcase that we could score from different areas of the game. We showed glimpses of that but we definitely want more. The starting team has remained unchanged allowing the group to build on the good and have a redo of what needs to be better. Australia and the USA seem to be growing a rivalry. Last year’s RWC tie was likely one of the Games of the tournament but it was still a tie and I know both sides will be targeting this as a win.”
Sam Needs (Interim Head Coach)
“The clashes between both sides of late have been close, competitive and we expect the same on their home turf in Kansas on Friday. It’s really exciting to have three debutants in our 23, and we look forward to seeing them make the most of their opportunities at the next level.”
The inclement weather forecast for earlier in the evening is predicted to be calmed by kickoff. Ball handling might still be tricky from the damp pitch. Australia were well beaten by the Canadians in horrid weather last week, but have strengthened their scrum this week. The Eagles started well against New Zealand before fading in the second half. It’s a very close match to call, but the visitors do have one extra game under their belt in recent weeks. Australia are slight favorites in Kansas City.
USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu, 4 Hallie Taufo’ou, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (capt.), 6 Hann Humphreys, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 8 Freda Tafuna, 9 Cassidy Bargell, 10 Bella Vogel, 11 Erica Coulibaly, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Emily Henrich, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 15 Alev Kelter
Replacements: 16 Paige Stathopoulos, 17 Reece Woods, 18 Alivia Leatherman, 19 Kapoina Bailey, 20 Tessa Hann, 21 Abigail Paton, 22 Kristin Bitter, 23 Telesi Uhatafe
AUSTRALIA
1 Brianna Hoy, 2 Tania Naden, 3 Eva Karpani, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Tiarah Minns, 6 Siokapesi Palu (capt.), 7 Emily Chancellor, 8 Piper Duck, 9 Samantha Wood, 10 Nicole Ledington, 11 Desiree Miller, 12 Sidney Taylor, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Maya Stewart, 15 Faitala Moleka
Replacements: 16 Adiana Talakai, 17 Faliki Pohiva, 18 Bridie O’Gorman, 19 Michaela Leonard, 20 Dillyn Blackburn, 21 Ella Ryan, 22 Ava Wereta, 23 Waiaria Ellis
Date: Friday, April 17
Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City
Kickoff: 20:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern, Saturday 11:00 Sydney)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 66°F (19°C), wind W 8-12mph (13-20km/h)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports (USA), Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports (New Zealand), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)
Assistants: Emma Gallagher (Canada) & Kristine Lovatt (Canada)
TMO: Cam Russell (Canada)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (10): USA 6, Australia 3, Draw 1
2025-08-30 – USA 31, Australia 31 (York)
2025-05-17 – Australia 27, USA 19 (Canberra)
2024-05-17 – Australia 25, USA 32 (Melbourne)
2023-07-08 – USA 17, Australia 58 (Ottawa)
2022-06-12 – Australia 14, USA 16 (Auckland)
2014-08-13 – USA 23, Australia 20 (Marcoussis)
2006-09-12 – USA 29, Australia 12 (St. Albert)
2006-09-08 – USA 10, Australia 6 (Edmonton)
2002-05-21 – USA 5, Australia 17 (Barcelona)
1997-08-02 – Australia 24, USA 28 (Brisbane)