USA thrash Samoa to keep slim World Cup hopes alive

1 week ago 4

Joe Rindl

BBC Sport journalist

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool A

USA: (27) 60

Tries: Tafuna 4, Rogers 2, Bargell, Coulibaly, Jarrell, Ortiz Cons: Cantorna 5

Samoa: (0) 0

The USA kept their World Cup quarter-final hopes alive with a 10-try win over already eliminated Samoa in their final match in Pool A.

Victory meant the USA went level on points in the pool with second-placed Australia.

The Wallaroos play hosts and tournament favourites England in their final pool match later on Saturday (17:00 BST).

Should Australia lose to England by at least 76 points and fail to secure a try-scoring bonus point, the USA will reach the quarter-final stage on points difference at Australia's expense.

After a heavy defeat by England and thrilling draw with the Wallaroos, the USA started the day trailing Australia's points difference by 135, but they cut that deficit to 75 points with their dominant win in York.

Flanker Freda Tafuna starred for the States, scoring four tries to back up her hat-trick against Australia last week, while prop Hope Rogers crossed twice.

The USA's momentum was slowed in the 60th minute when the Eagles, who were leading 46-0, had replacement Kristin Bitter sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on.

Samoa had chances to score in the second half, their best coming in the 70th minute when Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung was tackled one metre out, but ultimately the part-time side ended their World Cup campaign without a fairytale try.

Line-ups

USA: Ibarra; Henrich, Maher, Cantorna, Coulibaly, Hawkins, Bargell; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu, Taufoou, Jarrell, Tafuna, Zackary, Johnson.

Replacements: Stathopoulos, Learned, Leatherman, Brody, Perris-Redding, Ortiz, Bitter, Kelter.

Samoa: Ah-Cheung; Aumua, Pouri-Lane, Vatau, Falaniko, Wright-Akeli, Afuie; Aiolupotea, Filimaua, Iosefo, Sio, Madisen-Jade, Atonio, Pauaraisa, Fanen-Lolo.

Replacements: Nonutunu, Mamea, Samuelu, Taylor, Foaese, Ryder, Tugaga, Makisi.