Sione Fukofuka: "We Need To Be Controlled, Consistent And Execute"
Sione Fukofuka: "We Need To Be Controlled, Consistent And Execute"
USA coach Sione Fukofuka urges control and consistency as the Eagles prepare for a must-win Rugby World Cup clash with Samoa to keep quarterfinal alive.
For the USA Eagles, Saturday’s final Rugby World Cup pool clash against Samoa is about more than just another Test. Victory is essential, and the margin could be decisive, with the Americans needing not only to win but to do so emphatically if they are to reach the quarterfinals.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Every Match Of The 2025 Rugby Championship
- United Rugby Championship Schedule: Here's Every URC Fixture
- Townsville Test: Wallabies Fight To Stop Pumas' Rising Momentum
Head coach Sione Fukofuka, captain Kate Zackary, veteran prop Hope Rogers, and rising centre Cass Bargell all addressed the enormity of the occasion this week, outlining a team that is embracing the pressure and focusing on process rather than panic.
Fukofuka said the Eagles’ performance in the 32–32 draw with Australia showed the blueprint. “Our physicality was outstanding. We asked them for it, and they stepped up in spades. They dominated the collisions, they played a really good platform, and obviously created opportunities to score points,” he explained. “They’ve been pretty consistent, and we’re really happy with the combinations we’ve got out there.”
The coach acknowledged that the points equation is unavoidable. “We know what the outcome is; we need to score points and finish in a really strong position. But to do that, we need to be controlled, we need to be consistent, and we need to execute our systems.”
Training this week was adjusted to balance recovery with sharpening detail. “Saturday was a huge, physical match,” Fukofuka said. “We adjusted training a little, and we also had some community engagement on Monday, which lifted spirits. It reinvigorates the why, we don’t do it for the money, we do it for passion.”
Selections were delayed to maintain competition for places. Alev Kelter returns to the bench after completing her HIA protocol, while Olivia Ortiz and Georgie Perris-Redding are also in line to feature. “When Alev gets her opportunity, she’ll be going 100 miles an hour,” Fukofuka said.
For Zackary, the role of captain means keeping focus tight. “As the wrangler of the circus, it’s letting people shine a little bit, but it’s about the team,” she said. “We don’t need any heroes. We need 23 people collaborating constantly to create opportunities. We’re not chasing anything this week. We’re going to be the creators of our own destiny.”
She emphasised the importance of patience. “It’s the first 20 minutes. We know what we’re capable of from a scoring point of view, but we also know what our defence can do. Samoa will bring a big fight—they’ve got nothing to lose, and they’ll definitely want to go home with a win. So we’ve prepared for that. We’re not going to chase points from minute one. We’ve got 80 minutes to get the job done.”
Zackary also welcomed the scheduling, with the Eagles playing before England face Australia. “One of our messages this week is just we’re in control of our destiny to some extent,” she said. “Of course, we anticipate what that scoreline might be, but it’s a World Cup, anything can happen. For us, it’s about focusing on us and our control.”
Hope Rogers, appearing in her fourth World Cup, underlined the defensive focus. “We know points definitely matter this weekend,” she said. “We’ve put a lot of work into our attack, but maybe even more so on our defence. We’ve had some really good defensive stands leading up to the World Cup, and I think we’ll take a lot of comfort knowing that hard work will lead to a strong defensive effort.”
For Bargell, one of the younger members of the squad, the match carries significance beyond the scoreboard. “For the team, it would mean a lot. That’s exactly what we came here to do,” she said. “We’ve given ourselves the opportunity, and that’s our focus. But it’s also about inspiring girls at home. We know we have more eyes on us now. Hopefully, seeing us compete makes kids want to join this team in the future and help us push further.”
She added that the support in York has boosted the squad. “York is lovely, and the people have been really welcoming. Meeting local rugby clubs and women’s teams has been great; it’s given us a sense of home. That’s what a World Cup is about.”
With Samoa eager to leave the tournament with a statement win, the Eagles know they will face an intense 80 minutes. The outcome could define not just their World Cup, but their trajectory as a program.
As Zackary put it: “However this winds up for us, we’ve got a lot of support back home. But we’re going into this weekend with the expectation of finding a quarterfinal. We know it’s going to be tough. It’s going to be a huge fight. But we’re ready.”
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.