USA Eagles Soar Past Samoa with Dominant 60-0 Victory in Must-Win Rugby World Cup Match
Emphatic Victory Keeps Quarter-final Hopes Alive
The USA Eagles produced exactly the performance they needed to keep their Rugby World Cup campaign alive, hammering Samoa with a 10-try display that secured the all-important bonus point in York.
The match began with Freda Tafuna quelling a lively Samoa start to score her third try of the competition. Hope Rogers, playing in her fourth Rugby World Cup, speared over from a well-worked lineout and added a second three minutes before Cassidy Bargell crossed to ensure the bonus point.
Standout Performances
Freda Tafuna stole the show with a stunning four-try haul, while veteran prop Hope Rogers rolled back the years with two powerful finishes from close range. Erica Jarrell-Searcy maintained her remarkable scoring streak whilst Cassidy Bargell and Olivia Ortiz also crossed to underline the Eagles’ dominance.
The Eagles’ success came through carrying the ball 147 times with 11 line breaks and 525 post-contact metres, overwhelming Samoa through their power game. Their ability to recycle quickly and support the ball carrier allowed them to keep piling pressure on, reflected in the final score.
Samoan Spirit
Despite the result, Samoa head home having won a new army of fans in England and around the world. While they lost their three pool matches heavily, they contributed hugely to each of their encounters. Their set-piece held up respectably against a stronger pack, and they forced the USA into 13 turnovers. For a team still developing on the global stage, Samoa leave with no wins but plenty of respect, and they’ve earned new fans across England and beyond.
Looking Ahead
The victory puts the USA in contention for a quarter-final spot, with Australia holding the points advantage in Pool A (eight points to the USA’s three). The final qualification picture will depend on the result between Australia and England. However, as they say in the sport, rugby is a cruel game in pools decided by mathematics.
