USA Eagles Thrash Samoa 60-0 But Must Rely On England To Advance
USA Eagles Thrash Samoa 60-0 But Must Rely On England To Advance
USA Eagles thrashed Samoa 60-0 to keep Rugby World Cup hopes alive, but now must rely on England stopping Australia from gaining a bonus point.
The USA Eagles held up their end of the bargain in their quest to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup, but they now face a nervous wait to see if their commanding 60-0 victory over Samoa will be enough.
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The Eagles knew the assignment: win in York and hope Australia fall to England without securing a bonus point. On top of that, a staggering 135-point swing across the two fixtures was required if the Americans were to overhaul the Wallaroos. Their own part of the equation came emphatically—ten tries, their biggest scoreline in more than a decade, but what happens next is entirely out of their control.
Freda Tafuna was sensational. The back rower’s four-try haul reinforced her status as one of the breakout players of the tournament, her combination of pace and power tearing through defenders. Veteran prop Hope Rogers added two first-half scores, laying down a marker from the set piece and reminding everyone why her experience remains invaluable. Cassidy Bargell, Erica Coulibaly, Erica Jarrell-Searcy and Olivia Ortiz also crossed, while Gabby Cantorna added five conversions.
Head coach Sione Fukofuka’s side left nothing to chance. They secured the bonus point inside 30 minutes and continued piling on tries after the break, knowing a points avalanche was their only hope. Their intent never wavered, even when fly-half Kristin Bitter saw yellow in the second half.
Captain Kate Zackary had stressed all week that the Eagles needed to block out the noise and execute their plan. “You know Samoa are going to bring huge physicality. They’re not here to roll over; they want to finish with a win. For us, it’s about weathering that storm and staying focused on our game.”
That mindset was clear in York. Rather than chasing desperation, the USA methodically dismantled the opposition, staying true to their patterns. By full-time, they had carried 147 times, made 11 line breaks, and racked up over 500 post-contact metres.
And so, the spotlight shifts to Brighton. For the USA to progress, England must defeat Australia by at least 75 points and, crucially, keep the Wallaroos from collecting any bonus. No four-try tally. No losing bonus point. Only then will the Eagles sneak into the last eight alongside the hosts.
It is an unforgiving equation, but one that reflects the razor-thin margins of World Cup rugby. As the final whistle blew in York, the Eagles knew they had delivered their part. Their fate, however, will be sealed on England’s south coast.
Whether they advance or not, the USA showed in York what they can be when everything clicks. Tafuna’s rise, Rogers’ enduring influence, and the consistency of players like Jarrell-Searcy point to a promising future. If England handle their business, the Eagles will enter the knockouts armed with confidence. If not, they bow out knowing they left nothing on the field.
For now, it’s wait and watch. The USA did their job. The rest lies in England’s hands.
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