from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - The IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2006 is finished and team managers and tournament officials joined together to select the tournament's All Star XV, which was announced at the post-tournament dinner on September17. This year, three U.S. players were included in this elite XV, proving the increased level of play from the Eagles has not gone unnoticed on the international scene.


US players Jen Crouse, Phaidra
Knight and Ellie Karvoski with
their Women's Select XV awards.
Photo © 2006 Jen Doan "I think it proves that we have what it takes to be competitive on an elite level, both as a team and individually," U.S. Women's National Team Head Coach Kathy Flores said. "It is tough to recognize the most valuable players in a team sport, but I truly believe that the women who received this honor fully deserved it. They helped the team get better with each match they played, and it showed with our performance as the tournament went on."

The Eagles selected to the All Star team were U.S. Captain Jen Crouse, of Oakland, Calif., who, as a lock, scored a try against Australia and showed great leadership on and off the field; Flanker Phaidra Knight, of Riverdale, N.Y., who scored two tries in the game against Ireland; and wing Ellie Karvoski, of Little Rock, Ark., who scored four tries, including a hattrick against Australia in the semifinals for the U.S.

Each of the players selected to the All Star XV received a certificate and gift at the dinner.

The All Star XV

1. Rocio Garcia (Spain)
2. Laetitia Salles (France)
3. Vanessa Gray (England)
4. Jenny Sutton (England)
5. Jen Crouse (USA)
6. Phaidra Knight (USA)
7. Rochelle Martin (New Zealand)
8. Anna Yakovleva (Kazakhstan)
9. Paula Chalmers (Scotland)
10. Sarahjane Belton (Ireland)
11. Ellie Karvoski (USA)
12. Exia Edwards (New Zealand)
13. Huriana Manuel (New Zealand)
14. Heather Moyse (Canada)
15. Amiria Marsh (New Zealand)

9.18.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta -The USA Women's National Team finished 4-1 and secured fifth place at the Women's Rugby World Cup, today, showing an impressive defensive display and some attacking flare in shutting out Scotland 24-0 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.

"I think the U.S. should be extremely proud of how the women did at this World Cup," USA Rugby's Chairman of the Board, Bob Latham said. "A 4-1 record is very impressive and they will only continue to improve on their world ranking going forward."


The US Women Eagles after their win
against Scotland in their final match
of the 2006 World Cup.
Photo © 2006 Jen Doan Thanks to an impressive display from the back row and some hard work in the scrums, the USA produced a platform that led to three tries, while their consistently physical and committed defense held the Scots scoreless, and means Scotland has not scored a try against the USA in more than 240 minutes of rugby.

The Eagles took an early lead about two minutes into the game. From the lineout they won clean ball at midfield and sent it out to the backs. A swift inside pass to Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.) allowed the wing to break the line and link up with California's fullback Ashley English, who then raced 50 meters only to be hauled down inches short of the line. Quick support from the forwards allowed Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) to pass out to the backs and center Pam Kosanke (Chicago, Ill.) took the pass and closed the gap to score.

Sunday's World Cup Results

5th Place Play-off:
USA 24 - Scotland 0

3rd Place Play-off:
France 17 - Canada 8

Championship Match
New Zealand 25 - England 17 Kosanke converted her own try to make it 7-0, but then Scotland regrouped and inched their way into the USA half. Using center Rimma Petlevannaya to some effect, Scotland tested the USA defense, but the Eagles held firm, with flanker Kristin Zdanczewicz (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and No. 8 Tina Nesburg (San Francisco, Calif.) forcing turnovers.

Scotland did get a scoring opportunity when the USA's Jamie Burke (Oakland, Calif.) was judged offside, but Scotland's scrumhalf Paula Chlamers pushed her kick wide.

Attacking afterward, the American forwards kept the Scots on the back foot and forced a penalty 35 meters out. Kosanke lined it up and while she had plenty of distance, her kick just missed.

The USA kept up the pressure, with their physical defense setting the tone and a strong pack pushing the Scottish scrum backwards. A sloppy pass from the Scots allowed the ball to roll into in-goal, and three American backs swarmed in like the swooping Eagles they are. Scotland only touched the ball down for a five-meter scrum and the put-in placed the Eagles forward about three meters before Braymer sent the ball wide.

Flyhalf Kristin Baja (Brooklyn, N.Y.) used Kosanke as a decoy and passed to center Hedwig Aerts, also of Brooklyn, who took the gap and touched down near the posts. Kosanke was good on the conversion to make it 14-0.

The USA spent much of the remainder of the first half in the Scottish territory, but some problems in the lineout hurt their better scoring chances.

Late in the first half the forwards, led by Californian's Erin Carter and Jen Crouse, pounded their way close to the Scottish line, and eventually referee Clare Daniels penalized Scotland right in front of the posts. Kosanke made the easy kick and the half ended with the USA up 17-0.

The second half began with Scotland desperate to score some points, and they camped out in the USA end for several minutes. The Eagles helped their opponents' cause by losing several of their lineouts and it was only their characteristically staunch defense that kept the shutout alive.

The Eagles did gain some ground, though, as quick passing movements among the forwards, especially the back row, kept the Scots backpedaling.

A promising run from sub flanker Phaidra Knight (Riverdale, N.Y.) was just corralled, with an offside call, later in the game, handing Kosanke a very manageable opportunity at goal, which she barely missed.

The USA kept up the pressure late and Knight almost scored in the corner off a blocked kick. Knight took the pass and headed for the line and launched herself into in-goal, but was just pushed into touch before she touched down.

With time running down, the Eagles attacked off a scrum six meters out, and some slick passing by the backs, with Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.) making an impressive offload in the tackle, allowed sub wing Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) to race in for her fourth World Cup try. Kosanke's conversion ended the game 24-0.

The USA ended their World Cup run 4-1, having lost only to finalists England, and having beaten Australia twice, Scotland, and Ireland. They finish the World Cup ranked fifth. The game also was the swan song for all-time Eagle great Patty Jervey, who finished her fifth World Cup and will retire the all-time USA leader in caps, tries, and points.

"I'm very proud of our position. How often do you end up fifth and have a 4-1 record?" said head coach Kathy Flores. "Going forward, one goal for the USA is to have more international matches. We need to have played more than ten games before we come to the World Cup. We competed well, but imagine what we could do if we played more games leading up to here."

"I think everyone on the U.S. team has handled this experience with tremendous integrity," said Crouse." I think everyone came here ready to play. We built up a lot of positive energy coming in here. We had a few ups and downs as you would expect with a very long tour. We came out on a very positive note."

USA 24
Tries: Aerts, Kosanke, Karvoski
Conversions: Kosanke, 3
Penalty Kick: Kosanke

9.17.06 - The US is victorious after a hard fought match against Scotland. Ellie Karvoski scored a resounding final try in the last seconds of the match to bring the score to 24-0. This is the final match for the US in the World Cup and they finish 4-1, their only loss to finalists England. The win seals a 5th place finish for the US, one place higher than their 6th place finish in the 2002 World Cup.

Video Highlights
Try by Hedwig Aerts
Try by Pam Kosanke
Try by Ellie Karvoski

Photo Gallery
Gallery by photographer Jen Doan
NEW! Gallery by photographer Bill English

Match highlights:
1:30 - US Center Pam Kosanke puts the US on the board in the opening minutes of the match. After a midfield lineout, wing Laura Cabrera hits open space, passes to Kosanke to English. After the ensuing ruck, Braymer has the ball out to Kosanke for the try. Kosanke hits her own conversion.
10:28 - US disrupts Scottish scrum. New scrum has Scotland kicking into US try zone with Ashley English covering up.
12:21 - US offside penalty gives Scots a penalty kick... kick goes wide.
14:25 - Scotland penalized for diving over top of ruck. English is shaken on play but returns to line. US kicks to mid field.
16:40 - Scots penalized for taking ball from ruck.. Kosanke's kick goes wide.
19:12 - US penalized .. Scots kick clear from US 5 meter line.
20:52 - Center Hedwig Aerts slices in from a driving 5 meter scrum, making a tackler miss... Kosanke kicks the conversion. US 14 - Scotland 0.
40:00 - Pam Kosanke kicks a penalty kick directly in front of post after a Scot penalty. US 17 - Scotland 0.

Second half action:
12:00 - still no scoring in the half. US subs come in: Ellie Karvoski, Phaidra Knight are in match. US struggles in lineout..losing several of their own lineouts.
19:55 - Nesberg shaken up after Scot penalty. Kosanke to kick for points.. she misses to the left. Nesberg recovers and joins restart.
22:05 - Scotland subs in 3 players. US brings in Heather Hale.
31:00 - Scotland pressuring at US 5 meter line. US scrum at 5 meter line. Scotland subs in several more players.
34:00 - US substitution - lock Kate Pope comes in.
37:21 - Blocked kick by Pope nearly brought in for a try by Phaidra Knight.. US still pressuring in Scot half.
40:00 - US brings in scrumhalf Lee Knight.. 5 meter scrum to attacking US... last play
41:00 - US wins scrum.. pressures.. out to Ellie Karvoski.. she scores! Pam Kosanke converts. Final Score - 24-0!

9.5.06 - Want to feel like you are right in Canada with the team? Check out these blogs written by several of our very own Women Eagles. Also, be a part of history by sending your best wishes to the team on our WomenEagles.com Wishes Page.

Claudia's Adventures - http://www.claudiabraymer.blogspot.com
Lee's Rugby Life - http://rugbylife.blogspot.com
Jaime's - Are You Sure? - http://sitwithmeinthismoment.blogspot.com

9.17.06 - from 247.tv
FINAL: New Zealand v. England - Defending champions New Zealand attempt to win their third world cup in a row as they take on England in a repeat of the last Women's Rugby World Cup final. Seeking their first World Cup under the guidance of Jed Rowlands, New Zealand are confident going into the final but will have to overcome the strong English pack to keep their hands on the trophy. The English had a last minute scare against the Canadians in the semi final, but will be focused on avenging their 2002 final defeat. The scene is set for a enthralling final as we move to the 60,000 Commonwealth Stadium - home to the Edmonton Eskimos and host of the 2001 World Athletics Championships.

Saturday's World Cup Results

11th Place Play-off:
South Africa 0 - Kazakhstan 36

9th Place Play-off
Samoa 5 - Spain 10

7th Place Play-off
Ireland 14 - Australia 18 3RD PLACE PLAY-OFF: Canada v. France - In a repeat of the 3rd place play-off in 2002, which France won, Canada will hope that their vocal home support will help them to victory over the French this time round. Heather Moyse looked virtually untouchable in the semi final against England, whilst France captain and fly half Estelle Sartini will want to end her Women's RWC career with a win.

5TH PLACE PLAY-OFF: Scotland v USA is the first match up at the commonwealth Stadium with both teams determined to finish the tournament strongly. Scotland will be looking to regroup following their narrow one point victory over the Irish earlier this week. USA will be looking for more of the same free-following rugby that saw them comfortably defeat the Australians in their last match.

Watch the matches LIVE on pay per view:

9.16.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - The USA Women's National Team Head Coach Kathy Flores has named the starting 15 that will be best suited to go up against Scotland on Sunday in their last match at the Women's Rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Alberta.

"Scotland plays a very smart positional game, Flores said. They really know how to use their kicking game and I have made sure we have players in the lineup that will be able to counter their strengths."

"We are also giving some of our players, who have been in every game, a break, and getting some fresh legs in there," Flores added. "But, we will definitely use our substitutions to our advantage."

More specifically, Flores will be looking for a very strong performance from her forwards. The U.S. plans to dominate the play up front with Jamie Burke (Oakland, Calif.) returning to her loosehead position, Mari Wallace (San Francisco, Calif.) returning at hooker for her second-straight match, and Meredith Ottens (Austin, Texas) coming back at tighthead. Captain Jen Crouse (Oakland, Calif.) partners with first-year team member Erin Carter (San Francisco, Calif.) in the second row.

A major change to the lineup comes at the hands of Kelly McMahon (Brooklyn, N.Y.), who takes her turn at blindside, while fellow New Yorker Phaidra Knight (Riverdale) gets a breather on the bench. But, it's back to the familiar with Kristin Zdanczewicz (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and Tina Nesberg (San Francisco, Calif.) keeping their respective positions at openside and No. 8, to round out the pack.

New Yorkers Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park) and Kristin Baja (Brooklyn) man the halfback positions, while Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.) pairs with Atlanta's Patty Jervey, who starts in her fifth World Cup, at wing. Jervey takes the place of Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) who scored a hattrick in the USA's last match against Australia. Hedwig Aerts (Brooklyn, N.Y.) comes in at inside center in place of Pam Kosanke, of Chicago, Ill., and Kosanke moves over to outside center, while California's Ashley English starts once again at fullback.

I am looking to Hedwig Aerts strong running ability to break up their defensive effort, Flores said.

The Eagles play at noon for what could be their fourth-straight win of the tournament, and a fifth place finish overall, after losing their first match against England.

"We are looking to go 4-1. That is our goal now," Flores added. "To finish fifth is kind of misleading, but because of the format of this tournament that is just how we ended up. We would be happy to walk away from this World Cup with only one close loss to England."

Scotland

1. Lynne Reid
2. Iona Frickleton
3. Karen Findlay
4. Jilly McCord
5. Lindsay Wheeler
6. Susie Brown
7. Donna Kennedy
8. Clare Muir
9. Paula Chalmers (Captain)
10. Erin Kerr
11. Veronica Fitzpatrick
12. Rimma Petlevannaya
13. Rhona Shepherd
14. Lynsey Douglas
15. Lucy Millard
16. Gail Russell
17. Heather Lockhart
18. Sarah Mee
19. Shona Watt
20. Elizabeth Dalgliesh
21. Rachael Nicholson
22. Sara Mears

USA

1. Jamie Burke
2. Mari Wallace
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse (Captain)
6. Kelly McMahon
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Kristin Baja
11. Patty Jervey
12. Hedwig Aerts
13. Pam Kosanke
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Danielle Miller
17. Annie Collier
18. Kate Pope
19. Phaidra Knight
20. Lee Knight
21. Heather Hale
22. Ellie Karvoski

#8 Tina Nesberg on the attack.
Photo © 2006 Bill English 9.14.06 - New video and photo highlights from the US vs. Australia II match:

Videos
US Kickoff Return - 6 Eagles carry the ball.
#8 Tina Nesberg dives in for her second try.
3 tries by Ellie Karvoski!

Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery I - photographer Jen Doan
Photo Gallery II - photographer Bill English

9.13.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - Paced by three spectacular second-half tries by Arkansas' Ellie Karvoski, the USA Women's National Rugby Team opened up their backline attack and defeated Australia 29-12, today, at the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The victory, which is the third in a row at the tournament for the Eagles, means they play Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium for 5th place in the World.


Scotland 11 - Ireland 10 9.12.06 - It came down to the final minutes in a hotly contested match between perennial rivals Scotland and Ireland before a Paula Chalmers drop goal gave the Scots a lead that would see them home 11-10.
Read more. The Eagles started off the very physical test with plenty of offensive pressure. Within minutes of the kickoff they took a lineout five meters from the Australia line. The throw didn't hit the jumper, but was recovered by flanker Kristin Zdanczewicz (St. Louis Park, Minn.) and fed inside to No. 8 Tina Nesberg, of San Francisco, Calif., who burst through the Australian forwards to score.

Up 5-0 early on, the Eagles then spent much of the next 15 minutes on the back foot. Australia pressured off the restart and came close to scoring on several occasions, Ashley English (Oakland, Calif.) and Keenya Warner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) were among the backs who put in big tackles for the Eagles. Australia earned two kickable penalties during that time, but both were wide, allowing the Americans to stay on top.


Eagle Lisa Butts shouts out her
encouragement during Tuesday's
US vs. Australia match.


Wing Ellie Karvoski sprints upfield.


#8 Tina Nesberg sets down
for a try against the Aussies.
Photos © 2006 Jen Doan Once they cleared their lines the Eagles began to show some more effective attacking ability, with Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) setting free Pam Kosanke, of Chicago, Ill., Karvoski, and Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.) on several attacks.

Good coverage on a probing kick from Hale forced Australian No. 8 Alex Hargreaves to kill the ball, and she was sin-binned for the infringement. This set up a huge American opportunity. They drove off a lineout but were stymied repeatedly by the Australian defense.

After five minutes on the Aussie line the USA earned another penalty. Captain Jen Crouse called for a scrum and Nesberg picked up from the back, stiff-armed one tackle, and scored. Kosanke's well-struck kick hit the post.

"If our scrumhalf [Claudia Braymer] had tapped the ball quickly I wouldn't have been upset, but I thought our scrum was stronger this game and we could suck in their forwards and run a play," said Crouse.

Up 10-0 at halftime the Eagles caught a break on the second-half kickoff as the Australian kick didn't go ten meters. From that scrum the Eagles attacked with the backs to the right, and only desperate Australian tackling kept Cabrera from scoring.

Still with continued pressure and Zdanczewicz, California's Jamie Burke, and New York's Phaidra Knight stealing the ball in the rucks, the Eagles kept up the attack. Kosanke hit the post once again with a penalty kick, but the Australians could breathe more easily only for so long.

A simple USA backline move eight minutes into the second half gave Karvoski the ball with some room and she easily rounded the corner for her first World Cup try.

"The tournament has been one of putting the pieces together, so not scoring hasn't really been a frustration for me personally, but more of a team frustration," Karvoski said. "I am just trying to do the job a good wing is supposed to do."

In the 58th minute, the Eagle backline struck again, this time with sub center Hedwig Aerts (Brooklyn, N.Y.) fielded a pass a little behind her, turned and fed Kosanke, who popped the ball for Karvoski entering the right side of the backline from her left wing position. Karvoski zipped through the Australian defense with startling speed to score near the posts, and Kosanke's conversion made it 22-0.

Three minutes later it was Karvoski again showcasing her speed for her third try. Kosanke's kick made it 29-0. The Eagles appeared to be ready to score one more, as Karvoski, Kosanke, Knight and Cabrera combined on the most intriguing movement of the day, but Australia didn't give up and made the tackles they needed to make.

With the USA bench emptied and time winding down, Australia kept attacking. The Aussies scored twice with wing Tricia Brown touching down in the 67th minute and inspirational captain Selena Worsely scoring at the 73rd minute. But a stern talking-to from Crouse saw the Americans hold their defensive line thereafter and win 29-12.

"I told the players we had 15 minutes to go, so that's what we've got; let's show what we can do," said Worsley.

"We have a tremendous amount of respect for the Australians," added USA head coach Kathy Flores. "We stepped back a little, which is I guess natural when you're up 29-0. It was a mental thing more than anything else. But the Australians made us pay."

Despite the iffy ending, the Eagles were generally pleased to have showed their scoring punch and also shown marked improvements in their scrums, lineouts, and ball retention.

"We had the pieces of the puzzle but we hadn't brought them all together at the right time," said Crouse. "Things all came together for large portions of the game today."

Added double try-scorer Nesburg, "I felt everyone else was doing all the hard work. Jamie poached the ball, the scrums were solid. I was just behind it all taking advantage of everyone else's hard work."

The USA will now play Scotland, whom the Eagles have beaten this year, to finish 5th. "We're not really looking at it as finishing 5th," said Flores. "We're looking at it as we want to finish this tournament 4-1, and we'll have only lost to England, and that's not too shabby."

USA 29
Tries: Karvoski 3, Nesberg 2
Conv: Kosanke 2


USA Lineup (Hedwig Aerts replaced Patty Jervey on the bench due to illness) 1. Annie Collier (Meredith Ottens @ 57); 2. Mari Wallace (Danielle Miller @ 67); 3. Jamie Burke; 4. Erin Carter (Kate Pope @ 62); 5. Jen Crouse (c); 6. Phaidra Knight; 7. Kristin Zdanczewicz; 8. Tina Nesberg (Kate Cox @ 64); 9. Claudia Braymer (Lee Knight @ 65); 10. Heather Hale; 11. Ellie Karvoski; 12. Pam Kosanke; 13. Keenya Warner (Hedwigh Aerts @ 56); 14. Laura Cabrera (Kristin Baja @ 67); 15. Ashley English.

Australia 12
Tries: Brown, Worsley
Conv: McGann


Australia
1. Lindsay Morgan, 2. Louise Burrows, 3. Vanessa Bradley, 4. Alicia Frost, 5. Chris Ross, 6. Kim Wilson, 7. Selena Worsley (c), 8. Alexandra Hargreaves, 9. Cheryl Soon, 10. Tobie McGann, 11. Tricia Brown, 12. Rebecca Anderson, 13. Lisa Fiaola, 14. Ruan Sims, 15. Kelli Donnelly Reserves 16. Annette Finch, 17. Rebecca Trethowan, 18. Kate Porter, 19. Tasiletta Bethell, 20. Alana Thomas, 21. Lito Fata, 22. Iliseva Batibasaga

9.12.06 - from USA Rugby.org

EDMONTON, Alberta - The USA makes two personnel changes and one positional switch to the starting 15 that beat Australia three days ago in pool play at the Women's Rugby World Cup. With all the changes coming in the front row, the USA looks to its rejuvenated athletes in the scrum to help get the Eagles through this first round of tournament play against the Aussies today at St. Albert Rugby Football Club.

"The changes we've made are mostly to get some fresh legs in there," said captain and lock Jen Crouse, who leads the USA for the 10th time. "We've had some players who have played a lot of rugby lately."

Jamie Burke (Oakland, Calif.) switches from loosehead to tighthead for the rematch with the Aussies. Coming in at hooker is Mari Wallace, of San Francisco, Calif., who has been sharing time with Danielle Miller (Seattle, Wash.), while Dr. Anne Collier, of New York, slots in at loosehead. Meredith Ottens (Austin, Texas) is on the bench after starting all three previous World Cup games, as is Miller.

The remainder of the side is the same as that which had plenty of scoring opportunities against the Wallaroos, but struggled in the set pieces, especially late in the game. Californians Crouse and Erin Carter pair up at lock, while New York's Phaidra Knight, Minnesota's Kristin Zdanczewicz and San Francisco's Tina Nesberg are the back row.

Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) make up the halfback pairing, while Pam Kosanke (Chicago, Ill.) and Keenya Warner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) form a tough defensive front at center. Arkansa's Ellie Karvoski joins forces with Oakland residents Laura Cabrera and Ashley English as the back three.

"We saw the adjustments the Australians made in the second half against us," said Crouse. "We saw them starting to take it up with the forwards for a couple of phases before going wide. They gained some ground that way, so we're going to have to be very tight around the fringe of the breakdowns."

Crouse added that the forwards need to be faster to the breakdown to ensure some continuity in their play, and that the backs need to protect the ball better and press less to take advantage of the ball they get. However both teams adjust, it promises to be a very tight and hotly-contested game.

"I like the Aussies," said Crouse. "I like them as people and I like playing them. They put it all out there and they are very competitive, but they don't lord that over you."

Australia has made five personnel changes and two positional changes, although they retain American-born forward Chris Ross at lock. Louise Burrows and Lindsay Morgan come in at the front row. Kim Wilson starts at flanker and Alexandra Hargreaves at No. 8, partnering with captain Selena Worsley, who returns at openside flanker. The Wallaroos have also moved hard-running fullback Tobie McGann to flyhalf, and big center Ruan Sims out to the wing.

There's plenty at stake in this game. The winner of Tuesday's match will play the winner of Scotland v. Ireland for fifth place on Sept. 17 at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. The loser will play the loser of Scotland v. Ireland for 7th place on Sept 16 at Ellerslie Rugby Park.

Australia
1. Lindsay Morgan
2. Louise Burrows
3. Vanessa Bradley
4. Alicia Frost
5. Chris Ross
6. Kim Wilson
7. Selena Worsley (C)
8. Alexandra Hargreaves
9. Cheryl Soon
10. Tobie McGann
11. Tricia Brown
12. Rebecca Anderson
13. Lisa Fiaola
14. Ruan Sims
15. Kelli Donnelly
16. Annette Finch
17. Rebecca Trethowan
18. Kate Porter
19. Tasiletta Bethell
20. Alana Thomas
21. Lito Fata
22. Iliseva Batibasaga USA
1. Annie Collier
2. Mari Wallace
3. Jamie Burke
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse (C)
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Danielle Miller
17. Meredith Ottens
18. Kate Pope
19. Kate Cox
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Hedwig Aerts

9.11.06 - The Women Eagles will meet Australia once again on Tuesday. The match kicks off at 2:30pm at St. Albert Rugby Football Club. The winner will go on to play the winner of the Ireland vs. Scotland match. The US took away a well-deserved win last Friday against the Australians (10-6). The US will start with a different look in their front row with Annie Collier at loose head prop and hooker Danielle Miller and Jamie Burke at tight head prop. The Eagles are holding steady with the same backline as their earlier match. The Aussie roster shows a change at hooker, flanker, flyhalf, #8, and on the wings. Notably, their strong center Ruan Sims moves to wing.

1. Annie Collier
2. Mari Wallace
3. Jaime Burke
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse - Captain
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Danielle Miller
17. Meredith Ottens
18. Kate Pope
19. Kate Cox
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Patty Jervey

Kristen Zdanczewicz spoils
Australian ball at a ruck.


Center Pam Kosanke finishes a 60 meter
run for a try in the second half.
Photos © 2006 Jen Doan 9.10.06 - Check out these video and photo highlights from the US vs. Australia match:

Videos
Captain Jen Crouse scores on a maul from a lineout in the first half.
Center Pam Kosanke runs 60 meters for the second try of the match.

Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery I - photographer Jen Doan
Photo Gallery II - photographer Bill English

9.9.06 - With the tournament format the way that it is - despite Friday's win against the Aussies - US hopes of getting into the semi-finals have been dashed. Although the Women Eagles came away with a well deserved win, the US is now out of the top four teams as they compete in the semi finals next Tuesday at Ellerslie Rugby Park. The US will now meet Australia again on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in a 6th vs. 7th place knockout match. The match will be played at 2:30 pm at the St. Albert Rugby Football Club. If the US beats Australia in the next game, they will either play Ireland (again!) or Scotland for a 5th place ranking in the World Cup.

Check out the official IRB standings.

RWC Day Three Roundup

New Zealand finished top of the pool
standings at the IRB Women's Rugby
World Cup after defeating Scotland 21-0
and will play France in the semi finals.

England also retained their unbeaten run,
defeating France 27-8, and they will play
Canada in the other semi.

Scotland, despite a brave performance
against New Zealand, which saw them
trail 6-0 at half time, end up in fifth place,
thanks to an inferior points difference to
Canada and France.

USA defeated Australia 10-6, but results
elsewhere meant that they finished sixth
and will play the Wallaroos once again in
the first knockout stage.

Spain's surprise 14-12 win over Samoa at
Ellerslie Rugby Park allowed Ireland to
sneak into eighth position and, with it,
a chance of finishing fifth overall. The
Irish will face a familiar foe in Scotland next.

Samoa will play South Africa and Spain
will face Kazakhstan in the first knockout
round to decide positions 9-12.

The first knockout round, including the
semi finals, takes place on Tuesday 12
September. 9.9.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - With a huge defensive effort and up against a big, physical Australia team, the USA Women's National Team held on to defeat the Aussies 10-6 in Round 3 of pool play at the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The victory puts the USA at 2-1 in the World Cup standings, but because they failed to earn a bonus point by scoring four tries, they did not secure a spot in the semifinals.

The game was played in a brisk wind that favored Australia in the opening half. The USA, which had used the kick regularly in the earlier matches, was forced to keep the ball in hand more. Early breaks by Keenya Warner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) put Australia under pressure, and the Wallabies were forced to commit penalties to slow the ball down. From one of these penalties flyhalf Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) kicked to the corner, and the USA lineout and maul saw captain Jen Crouse (Oakland, Calif.) touch down for the opening try.

Leading 5-0 the USA immediately went on the back foot, giving up penalties and seeing the huge Australian center Ruan Sims blast through the line. A penalty in front of the posts gave Aussie fullback Tobie McGann an opportunity for goal and she made no mistake. The score was 5-3 USA after 14 minutes.

The Eagles spent much of the next eight minutes on defense, with several last-ditch tackles halting Australian breaks. A superb tackle from Karvoski and a USA turnover gave them some relief, but the Eagles were called for holding onto the ball on the ground, and McGann kicked her second penalty to give Australia the lead after 22 minutes, 6-5.

Led by outstanding tackling from Hale at flyhalf and Erin Carter (San Francisco, Calif.) at lock, the Eagles held the line from then on. But Australia was patient when the U.S. had the ball and forced a turn-over and kicked back downfield.

"They did a really good job of slowing our ball down," said USA head coach Kathy Flores. "We knew they were going to be physical and we knew they wanted to slow down our ball to make it harder for us to attack. They did a good job of that."

Late in the first half came the turning point for both teams. The Eagles also forced several turnovers deep in their territory, and on one scrumhalf Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) sent the ball weak to Pam Kosanke (Chicago, Ill.). The inside center took off and outfoxed the Aussie defense by selling a dummy pass to wing Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.). The defense took the bait, and Kosanke went 60 meters for the try. She missed the conversion, but the USA led 10-6.

As time wound down Australia seemed to have the measure of the Americans and attacked down the wing. But Cabrera shoved wing Tricia Brown into touch to end the half.

The second half was dominated by penalties, most committed by the USA as both teams ramped up their physical play.

"We were getting a little tired, especially as we were going backward, and that made us commit penalties," said Carter.

With their scrum under significant pressure and problems in the lineout, especially with American-born Aussie lock Chris Ross stealing plenty of ball, the USA did not get regular possession.

"The plan was to kick to the corners and pressure, but we couldn't get good enough possession to do that on a regular basis," said Flores.

When they did kick, Cabrera, Karvoski, and especially California's Ashley English were very dangerous following up. English was also a handful on the counter.

"Every time we kicked to her on the full she did something," said Australia coach Steve Hamson. "We really wanted to keep the ball away from the USA deep three."

Australia looked close to scoring on several occasions, taking a tap penalty five meters from the USA line and driving over the line off a lineout, but being held up. Meanwhile the Eagles spent the final eight minutes in the Australian 22, and several movements looked close to bringing a score. But neither team could put the game away and the second half ended as it started, 10-6.

"We knew this was a big game, and we talked about getting the four tries and things like that," said Crouse. "But in the game we were just taking it one moment at a time, one tackle at a time."

The USA moves to 6th in the pool standings at the World Cup. They can finish no higher than 5th, and will then move into the Plate bracket playing for 5th along with Australia, Ireland, and either France or England.

USA 10
Tries: Crouse, Kosanke


Australia 6
Penalties: McGann 2

9.8.06 - From USA Rugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - USA head coach Kathy Flores has named virtually the same lineup for Friday's crucial match with Australia that she did against England on August 31. Flores said the team underperformed in their victory over Ireland despite earning a bonus point by scoring four tries.

"I still feel we need to play with more of the confidence I know we can," said Flores. "We need to defend much better than we did against Ireland if we are to contain a young and very aggressive Australia team."

The only changes from the team that lost 18-0 to England in the World Cup opener are in the front row. Seattle's Danielle Miller remains at hooker following a strong performance in the Ireland game where she scored a try and was part of an improved lineout effort. Carrie Dubray (Roselle, N.J.) will be a prop substitute in favor of New York's Annie Collier, and hooker Mari Wallace (San Francisco, Calif.) moves to the bench.

Miller will be joined in the front row by Jamie Burke (Oakland, Calif.) and Meredith Ottens (Austin, Texas). Veteran Ottens starts her third-straight World Cup match. Erin Carter (San Francisco, Calif.) and Jen Course (Oakland, Calif.) form the lock paring, with Crouse captaining the USA once again.

Flores returns a very quick, ball-hungry back row with New York's Phaidra Knight, who scored two tries against Ireland, at blindside, Minnesotas Kristin Zdanczewicz, who recovered from an ankle injury, at openside, and hard-running Tina Nesburg (San Francisco, Calif.) at No. 8.

Flores said she has not yet seen the best from her backline, and that she expects them to make better use of solid possession against the Australians. Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) form the halfback pairing, while Pam Kosanke (Chicago, Ill.) and Keenya Warner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) are in the centers. Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.) and Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) return at wing, while California's Ashley English starting once again at fullback.

The USA last played Australia in the 2002 World Cup, losing 17-5. Crouse and Hale were the only players in that game, also in tomorrow's starting 15. The two teams also faced off in 1997, with the Eagles winning 28-24.

"We have been training hard for this game," said Flores. "We know Australia really has nothing to lose. We will have to hold onto the ball better than we did in our last game and clean up some of our play to win."

A win with four tries will give the USA 10 points in the World Cup standings and a solid chance at a semifinal place. Failure to earn the bonus point, or a loss or tie, would have them playing for fifth.

Australia
1. Lindsay Morgan
2. Silei Poluleuligaga
3. Vanessa Bradley
4. Alicia Frost
5. Chris Ross
6. Kate Porter
7. Selena Worsley (C)
8. Tasileta Bethell
9. Cheryl Soon
10. Rachelle Pirie
11. Tricia Brown
12. Ruan Sims
13. Lisa Fiaola
14. Lito Fata
15. Tobie McGann

Reserves
16. Louise Burrows
17. Alexandra Hargreaves
18. Paige Butcher
19. Kim Wilson
20. Kelli Donnelly
21. Rebecca Anderson
22. Niseva Batibasaga
USA
1. Jamie Burke
2. Danielle Miller
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse (c)
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesburg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English


Reserves
16. Carrie Dubray
17. Mari Wallace
18. Kelly McMahon
19. Kate Cox
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Patty Jervey

9.7.06 - from 247.tv
See defending champions New Zealand attempt to maintain their unbeaten run against Scotland and the crunch match between France and England. Canada can also qualify for the last four, and a shot at the Women's RWC crown, as can Australia and USA, who face each other at St. Albert Rugby Football Club.

Spain v Samoa is the first match up with both teams suffering on match day two, conceding numerous tries against stronger opposition. Both teams will want to win their last match to finish the pool stage strongly and Spain will be looking for their first points of this tournament.

Ireland vs. South Africa - The other midday match will see the Irish take on South Africa in a game where both teams will be seeking their first victory of the campaign. South Africa have suffered two heavy defeats so far, but will be determined to move off the bottom of the overall standings.

Kazakhstan vs. Canada will be a fascinating game with both teams comfortable running the ball in hand. Although Kazakhstan are yet to win a match, they have pushed their opponents all the way to the wire. With both teams showing their strength in the line out and running the ball from deep this will be a attacking game of rugby that will be sure to have the home crowd shouting from the stands.

Australia vs. USA is a vital match with both teams pushing for a semi final spot. Australia were dominant in their opening game but were pinned back by the French on match day two whereas USA bounced back from their opening encounter with the English to beat the Irish on match day two.

New Zealand vs. Scotland - Our final match at Ellersie Rugby Park will see the top two teams battle it out as the defending champions and number one seed, New Zealand take on the determined Scottish. The Scottish have fared well so far in this tournament but will have to raise their game to take on the impressive New Zealanders.

England vs. France - Our 'pick of the day' match is the final game at St. Albert Rugby Football Club. The English (seeded 2) will clash with the French (seeded 3) in what will be a massive match in which the winner is assured of a semi final spot.

(All times are local times Edmonton, Canada)
At Ellerslie Rugby Park
12:00 SPAIN V SAMOA
14.30 KAZAKHSTAN V CANADA
17:00 NEW ZEALAND V SCOTLAND

At St. Albert Rugby Football Club
12:00 IRELAND V SOUTH AFRICA
14:30 AUSTRALIA V USA
17:00 ENGLAND V FRANCE


Watch these matches LIVE

Download and own is NOW available. 247.tv has been given permission to perform this service which means you can now download to your hard disk and watch whichever bits you wish whenever you wish. All matches from day two onwards will be available for download. You can access the downloads by clicking on the link 'Replays of earlier matches'.

9.7.06 - The US must win, and win BIG, against Australia in Friday's pool match. A winning score of four tries or more will help the Women Eagles to advance into the semi-finals. The Aussies have a different ending in mind, but the US is ready for the challenge. Coach Kathy Flores says her players are "excited to play. They are ready to go knowing this is a make or break match for them."

US Squad
US vs. Australia match

1. Jamie Burke
2. Danielle Miller
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse - Captain
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Carrie Dubray
17. Mari Wallace
18. Kelly McMahon
19. Kate Cox
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Patty Jervey

Phaidra Knight battles for possession in the second half.
Knight had 2 tries against Ireland.
Photo © Bill English 9.5.06 - Check out these video and photo highlights from the US vs. Ireland match:

Videos
First half try: Phaidra Knight
Second half try: Kristen Baja

Photo Galleries
Photo Gallery I - photographer Jen Doan
Photo Gallery II - photographer Bill English

9.5.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta
Despite some serious problems keeping out of penalty trouble, the USA women's national team defeated a very tough Ireland team 24-11 at the Women's Rugby World Cup at St. Albert Rugby Park in Edmonton, Alberta.






Photos © 2006 Jen Doan The Eagles started out in fine style, weathering an early Irish attack, and then using their backs to slice impressively through the Irish line.

From an attacking scrum the USA worked their way close using fullback Ashley English (Oakland, Calif.) and quick ball recycling to get the ball to flanker Phaidra Knight (Riverdale, N.Y.) who powered over under the posts. New York's Kristin Baja made the kick to make it 7-0.

The USA started to get into some penalty trouble which gave the Irish an attacking opportunity, but solid backline defense held Ireland out.

The USA backs made plenty of ground using Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) and English, and while the backs didn't score, they earned a penalty which gave them a lineout five meters out. Lock Erin Carter (San Francisco, Calif.) made a strong take and the USA forwards pushed over with Danielle Miller (Seattle, Wash.) touching down for the second USA try. Baja's kick made it 14-0 after 14 minutes.

For the rest of the half, while the USA showed the ability to make ground with probing kicks and aggressive backline play, they were constantly in trouble with French referee Christine Hanizet for being offside and handling in the ruck. This helped stop American attacking moves and gave Ireland plenty of time in the USA half.

Ireland tried to score tries from the penalties but the USA defense was too strong. Eventually Grace Davitt made good on a penalty kick to make it 14-3. Karvoski had a prime opportunity on a superb backline move, but dropped the ball as she was shifting it from one hand to the other, and the half ended soon thereafter.

In the second half, the Eagles started as they had the first, pressuring hard and recycling well. After the forwards punched it up close, scrumhalf Lee Knight (Port Washington, N.Y.) fed Baja, who carried her defender over the line to make it 19-3.

With the game seemingly in hand the USA needed to score one more try to earn a bonus point in the standings, but that try was a long time coming. Soon after, more repeated infringements saw Knight sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, and the Eagles continued to commit unnecessary penalties, while also squandering excellent scoring chances with some dropped balls.

Ireland inched closer with Gillian McAllister eventually powering over from close in, right after Knight was sent away, and then Davitt hit another penalty goal at 33 minutes to make it 19-11.

Much of the final minutes were spent in the Irish end, as the Eagles sensed the urgency to come away from the game with a maximum five standings points. One clear scoring chance was lost as sub center Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) delayed her pass to Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) a little too long. But then off a lineout close to the Irish line the Eagles mauled again and after recycling the ball twice Knight burst through the fringe defense for the critical fourth try.

The Eagles now sit at 1-1 in the World Cup with five standings points and a points differential of -5. They must win against Australia on September 8 to have a shot at the semifinals.

"We started with the same intensity as the England game," said captain Jen Crouse." But we made the same mistakes again, not adjusting to the referee."


Scrumhalf Claudia Braymer and
US Head Coach Kathy Flores
photo: © Jen Doan "We need to sharpen up going into the game against Australia and improve once more to stand a chance of moving on," Baja added. "We need to get everyone together and on the same page."

Head coach Kathy Flores was not convinced saying, "I am very disappointed with the performance, especially the mental concentration. The penalty count was far too high, and we will certainly be training tomorrow."

Final score 24-11

USA (24)
Tries: Knight 2, Miller, Baja
Con: Baja 2

Ireland (11)
Tries: McAlister
P: Davitt 2

USA
1. Anne Collier (Mari Wallace @ 69); 2. Danielle Miller; 3. Meredith Ottens (Jamie Burke @ 40); 4. Erin Carter (Kate Pope @ 53); 5. Jen Crouse; 6. Kellie McMahon (Tina Nesburg @ 63); 7. Phaidra Knight; 8. Kate Cox; 9. Lee Knight; 10. Kristin Baja; 11. Pat Neder (Heather Hale @ 77); 12. Hedwig Aerts; 13. Patty Jervey; 14. Ellie Karvoski; 15. Ashley English (Laura Cabrera @ 60).

9.4.06 - Ellerslie Park, Edmunton - Two first half tries by the US quickly put the match nearly out of reach for Ireland. Flyhalf Kristen Baja converted on both kicks. Ireland got on the board with a penalty kick at 35 minutes. In second half action, Kristen Baja scored a unconverted try just after the half opened. Flanker Phaidra Knight was sin binned for an infraction causing some harrowing defensive situations. Ireland posted a try and later in the half another penalty kick. Penalties on both teams slowed play but quick thinking by replacement fullback Laura Cabrera brought the ball to the 5 meter line and subsequently another Phaidra Knight try to bring the score to 24-11. Knight spoiled Irish hopes by picking up a loose ball and bringing it near the US tryline again. The final minutes of the match were spent within the Irish 22 battling over the ball with several missed scoring opportunities by the US. At the end of the match, exhausted Irish and US players saluted the vocal crowd and each other.

The US will continue with World Cup pool play this Friday against Australia.

9.4.06 - from USARugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - USA women's national team head coach Kathy Flores makes nine changes to the team that battled so hard in an 18-0 loss to England Thursday.

Jen Crouse (Oakland, Calif.) again leads the side, but she and Meredith Ottens (Austin, Texas) are the only forwards to step on against Ireland who played the same position four days before.

In the backs the entire interior backline is changed, as Flores looks for some scoring punch after Thursday's shutout.

Up front Ottens is joined by New Yorker Annie Collier (and hooker Danielle Miller (Seattle, Wash.). With the USA struggling at the lineout against England, Miller will be under some pressure to hit the mark on Monday against Ireland.

Erin Carter joins her Berkeley teammate Crouse in the second row, while the back row is much changed from the first game, and upon their shoulders also will ride the fate of the lineout. Phaidra Knight (Riverdale, N.Y.) returns at flanker but moves from blindside to openside. Kelly McMahon, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who came on as a sub on Thursday, moves to blindside, and Kate Cox (Smyrna, Ga.) steps in for Tina Nesburg (San Francisco, Calif.) at No. 8. It is a bigger, more physical back row to combat what is expected to be a very powerful Irish forward pack.

In the backs Lee Knight (Port Washington, N.Y.) steps in at scrumhalf and will hook up with her New York WRFC clubmate Kristin Baja (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Another New Yorker, Hedwig Aerts, starts at inside center, and she will be expected to showcase her considerable playmaking ability in tandem with Baja at the inside, and Altanta's Patty Jervey at outside center. Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) and Ashley English (Oakland, Calif.) return at wing and fullback, respectively, but Pat Neder (Smyrna, Ga.) gets her first run-on in favor of Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.).

The USA faces an Ireland team they defeated 23-5 on January 25. That game was much tighter than the final score indicates, with the Eagles only leading 8-5 at the half.

The Irish named four changes to the team that lost 43-0 to France on Thursday, and ten of the players set to take the field Monday played against the USA in January.

The USA plays Ireland at noon Mountain Time at Ellerslie Rugby Park, Edmonton on Monday September 4.

9.3.06 - The Women Eagles are reloading for their next pool match against Ireland. After a day of rest and relaxation with their host team liasons in Canada, coach Kathy Flores has selected a squad for Monday's match against Ireland.

Flores said "our preparations for the next match have gone well though it has gotten a bit warmer. The Eagles are rested and ready to take up the next challenge. We have adjusted our lineup for the Ireland match to utilize our strength, size and fresh players."

1. Annie Collier
2. Danielle Miller
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse - Captain
6. Kelly McMahon
7. Phaidra Knight
8. Kate Cox
9. Lee Knight
10. Kristin Baja
11. Pat Neder
12. Hedwig Aerts
13. Patty Jervey
14. Ellie Karvoski
15. Ashley English
16. Jamie Burke
17. Mari Wallace
18. Kate Pope
19. Tina Nesberg
20. Claudia Braymer
21. Heather Hale
22. Laura Cabrera

9.1.06 - In post match interviews, Women Eagles coach USA Captain Jen Crouse said the team is "hungry to play again. We are a team that learns from our mistakes and always try to improve...We will take away some great experiences and use that to move forward."

US Coach Kathy Flores will be "making adjustments for our next matches, specifically working on shaping up our lineouts and we will strive to go as far as we possibly can."

The Women Eagles will next face Ireland on Monday, September 4 with kickoff at noon.

USA v. England Photo Gallery
USA v. England Photo Gallery II - courtesy of Bill English

Action from the US vs. England match - US number 8 Tina Nesburg takes a quick penalty from scrumhalf Claudia Braymer after a scrum barge by England for this near score.

Posted 9.1.06 - From USA Rugby.org
August 31, 2006, Edmonton, Alberta - England rode two second-half tries to defeat the USA 18-0 in the opening round of the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup.

In a hard and very physical tussle between two highly-regarded teams, the game was very tight for the first 60 minutes before two late tries put the game away for the English.

In the first half both teams enjoyed few scoring chances as the defenses held firm and a short but heavy rain shower made ball handling somewhat difficult.

The Eagles came very close to scoring a try midway through the first half when flanker Phaidra Knight powered ahead. She was tackled but from the ensuing ruck the USA spun the ball wide to wing Laura Cabrera, who capped off her run with a chip to the goal line. England fullback Charlotte Barras fielded the ball but pressure from Cabrera forced a knock on. The Eagles were stopped at the scrum, through, and England dodged a bullet.

England too came close with a chip into in-goal, but fullback Ashley English covered well. And the it was the English who finished the stronger, camping out on the USA line for the final minutes of the half. Solid defense and a turnover and clearance kick kept the game at 0-0.

In the second half the USA had the earliest real scoring opportunity, but a nicely-struck penalty kick from center Pam Kosanke from 35 meters out drifted just wide.

The Eagles struggled to avoid penalties much of the day, especially at the breakdown, and one such offense finally produced some points, as substitute flyhalf Shelly Rae slotted a penalty at the 50th minute. From the restart England gave away a penalty at the ruck and Kosanke had another shot from 30 meters, but again just missed.

The game remained very close and played mostly in the middle of the pitch until the Eagles suffered a double blow. Flanker Kristin Zdanczewicz, who until then had been having an excellent game challenging the English at the breakdown and poaching possession, injured her ankle fielding a kick. She tried to play on but was taken off in favor of Kelly McMahon. Minutes later McMahon was sin-binned for dangerous use of the boots, and a short-handed USA having lost one of their most effective defenders, felt the pressure.

At the 60th minute England center Kim Oliver broke through several tackles in midfield to touch down under the posts. Rae's kick made it 10-0. Again the USA countered, this time with No. 8 Tina Nesburg slicing through the English defense to within five meters of the goal line. But the American support wasn't there, and England took the ball and cleared their lines.

Still shorthanded, the USA was punished for an infraction at the ruck and Rae had no trouble with the kick to make it 13-0. From there England began to control possession much more effectively, and capped off the day with another try: prop Rochelle Clark powering over from two meters out on the final play of the game.

For England it was something of a relief to win what could be their toughest match of pool play. For the USA it was the start of a series of three challenging games, and little solace that they were so close for three quarters of the match.

Next the USA faces Ireland on Monday, September 4.

USA
1. Jamie Burke (Berkeley), 2. Mari Wallace (Berkeley), 3. Meredith Ottens (Austin), 4. Erin Carter (Berkeley), 5. Jen Crouse (Berkeley) (Captain), 6. Phaidra Knight (New York) , 7. Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota), 8. Tina Nesberg (Berkeley), 9. Claudia Braymer (Albany), 10. Heather Hale (Atlanta), 11. Ellie Karvoski (New York) , 12. Pam Kosanke (Chicago North Shore), 13. Keenya Warner (New York) (Vice Captain), 14. Laura Cabrera (Berkeley), 15. Ashley English (Berkeley)

Reserves: 16. Danielle Miller (Seattle) (on for Wallace at 76 min), 17. Annie Collier (New York) (on for Burke at 74 min), 18. Kate Pope (Philadelphia), 19. Kelly McMahon (New York) (on for Zdanczewicz at 53 min) , 20. Lee Knight (New York), 21. Kristin Baja (New York), 22 Patty Jervey (Atlanta)

8.30.06 - Host team Canada was dominated by the New Zealand Black Ferns in the first WWC match. Wing Claire Richardson was outstanding with three tries on the day. The final score was 66-7. New Zealand opened the scoring within the first minutes and barely slowed down the rest of the way. Canada posted its only points in the first half with a score by scrumhalf Julie Suguwara.

8.30.06 - from USA Rugby.org
EDMONTON, Alberta - Jen Crouse (Oakland, Calif.) leads the USA for the seventh time, while Patty Jervey (Atlanta, Ga.) makes the squad in her record fifth World Cup as USA women's national team head coach Kathy Flores names her lineup, today, for the World Cup opener against England.

The team is a mix of youth and experience, with 25-cap veteran Meredith Ottens (Austin, Texas) anchoring a front row that is big and strong, but includes two players with only nine caps between them.

"We have some big girls up there," said Flores. "They don't have a lot of caps but we knew that was what was going to happen. Meredith is our lynchpin and we expect the rest to bring a little something."

Crouse earns her 22nd cap at second row, partnering with Erin Carter (San Francisco, Calif.) who only made the USA team this year.

In the back row, Flores said she would adjust the lineup based on who the opponents are, and she has chosen ball-poaching specialist Kristin Zdanczewicz (St. Louis Park, Minn.) at openside, and the physical, hard-charging Phaidra Knight (Riverdale, N.Y.) at blindside. At No. 8 is Tina Nesburg (San Francisco, Calif.), who emerged as the team's first-choice at that position this year.

Claudia Braymer (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and Heather Hale (Atlanta, Ga.) man the halfback spots, Braymer, who plays for the Albany Sirens, is another who took control of a position up for grabs this season.

Pam Kosanke (Chicago, Ill.) starts at inside center and is the likely goal-kicker, while vice captain Keenya Warner (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) brings a steady head and powerful attacking style to outside center. The wings are Ellie Karvoski (Little Rock, Ark.) and Laura Cabrera (Oakland, Calif.), the two most consistently dangerous offensive players in the USA arsenal.

California resident Ashley English, the 2005 USA Rugby women's Player of the Year, is at fullback. Among those waiting in the wings will be Jervey, who has played in all four previous World Cups and leads the USA all-time list by a country mile in caps (37), points (178) and tries (38). It's a sign of Jervey's longevity that seven of her USA tries were worth four points.

The Eagles are coming off a successful assembly in Blaine, Minn. where they scrimmaged a Minnesota Select Side. Now it's about teamwork and playing aggressively, said Flores.

"There's no one in our group that we will look past," said the Coach Flores. "We stand a chance as much as anyone else to try to open our game up a little bit. That's what all our preparation has been about."

"We're not going to look past anybody, and of course England is going to be probably our most challenging game," added Crouse. "We don't have the luxury of an easy match to begin with like we have in the past. We need to be mentally prepared for that. We're excited for another opportunity to prove to ourselves and the rest of the world, what we're capable of."

The USA takes on England at 5 p.m. local time Thursday at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton. Along with New Zealand versus Canada match up, it is the biggest game on the schedule for Thursday.

The two teams last played in June of 2003, with England winning 15-8. Before that they met in 2000, when England won 31-7, and before that in the 1994 World Cup final, when England won 38-23. Most recently, the U.S. beat England in the 1991 World Cup final, where they took the match 19-6. Flores and Jervey both played in that match.

England Starting Lineup
1. Rochelle Clark
2. Amy Garnett
3. Venessa Gray
4. Jenny Sutton
5. Tamara Taylor
6. Georgia Stevens
7. Maggie Alphonsi
8. Cath Spencer
9. Jo Yapp (Captain)
10. Karen Andrew
11. Kim Shaylor
12. Kim Oliver
13. Sue Day
14. Nicky Crawford
15. Charlotte Barras
16. Selena Rudge
17. Katy Storie
18. Jenny Lyne
19. Helen Clayton
20. Amy Turner
21. Shelley Rae
22. Michaela Staniford USA Starting Lineup
1. Jamie Burke
2. Mari Wallace
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse (Captain)
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner (Vice Captain)
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Danielle Miller
17. Annie Collier
18. Kate Pope
19. Kelly McMahon
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Patty Jervey

---

8.28.06 - The Women Eagles have completed their preparations for the World Cup and have a well-deserved day off today. The team travels to Edmunton on Tuesday. US Coach Kathy Flores said "preparations have gone well here in Blaine, Minnesota. After some hard training sessions in intense heat, we scrimmaged a Minnesota Select Side of sorts (coaches Barb Fugate and Roger Bruggemeyer asked some of their players from the Valkyries and the Amazons to participate). We benefited from the competition and used the scrimmage to finalize our team play. We came through the scrimmage well. Tuesday we will have a training session in the evening and a run on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for Thursday's match against England."

Here is the US lineup for Thursday's match. The kick off for the match is scheduled for 5pm in Edmonton's Ellerslie Rugby Park. Coach Flores said, "we feel we've selected a good squad for the strong contest ahead."

1. Jamie Burke
   
2. Mari Wallace
3. Meredith Ottens
4. Erin Carter
5. Jen Crouse (Captain)
6. Phaidra Knight
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Tina Nesberg
9. Claudia Braymer
10. Heather Hale
11. Ellie Karvoski
12. Pam Kosanke
13. Keenya Warner (Vice Captain)
14. Laura Cabrera
15. Ashley English
16. Danielle Miller
17. Annie Collier
18. Kate Pope
19. Kelly McMahon
20. Lee Knight
21. Kristin Baja
22. Patty Jervey

8.28.06 - Add your good luck wishes to the WomenEagles.com Good Luck page.

8.24.06 - The Women Eagles will start their World Cup adventure in Blaine, Minnesota today. The team will assemble for four days of practice and team meetings. They will have time for one last team dinner on Monday night before leaving for Edmonton on Tuesday, Aug. 29th.

8.24.06 - Take part in the journey as Eagle scrumhalf Claudia Braymer shares her thoughts and adventures on her personal blog. Her blog begins 6 days before the world cup and we will be watching and reading as she updates us on what's going on at the World Cup! Special thanks to Claudia for sharing her blog!

Visit Claudia's Adventures.

8.23.06 - The IRB is bringing you a first for rugby - watch every match LIVE or replayed as live from the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2006 through the internet. Watch a single match LIVE for £2.50. Or you can follow your team through their three pool games, LIVE, for £6.50. Do you want access to every single game LIVE? A tournament pass, covering all 30 games, costs £49.99. There are also packages for the semi finals and final. Watch a replay of every match for £1.50. Payment can be made with a credit card, debit card or PayPal. There is a currency converter to help you work out the cost in your own currency.

Learn about ordering the video from the IRB website (English version).

7.14.06 - World Cup tickets are available now thru Ticketmaster. Adult tickets for single days are $25 for general seating. Students get a discounted price at $20. There are several options for viewing the finals, adult assigned seating $30, premium seating $35, students $20. VIP passes are available. Visit the IRB website for more information.

$10 OFF GENERAL ADMISSION! Don't miss this opportunity to save $10 off General Admission. Visit www.ticketmaster.ca and enter the code WRWC06CP to purchase your discounted tickets. For hospitality or group opportunities, call (780) 466-8351 or email jhickey@rugbycanada.ca today!

5.26.06 - Check out the latest travel information for Women Eagle fans who are travelling to the World Cup. World Cup Travel Information.

The US is the sixth seed and will play in Pool C alongside France and South Africa when the 2006 Womens Rugby World Cup kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 31.

The first three days of the Cup will see cross-pool play, with Pool A (New Zealand, Spain, Kazakhstan) playing Pool D (Canada, Scotland, Samoa) and Pool B (England, Australia, Ireland) playing Pool C (France, United States, South Africa), with points going towards one single division table for all four pools.

After three match days, with each team having played three pool matches, positional semi-finals will be played with the top four-positioned sides vying to make the WRWC final, and all other sides playing matches in the final two rounds to determine final tournament standings.

2006 Women's Rugby World Cup
Aug. 31-Sept. 17 (Edmonton, Canada)

Seedings
1. New Zealand
2. England
3. France
4. Canada
5. Scotland
6. UNITED STATES
7. Australia
8. Spain
9. Kazakhstan
10. Ireland
11. South Africa
12. Samoa

Pools
POOL A: New Zealand, Spain, Kazakhstan
POOL B: England, Australia, Ireland
POOL C: France, United States, South Africa
POOL D: Canada, Scotland, Samoa

Schedule

•      Thursday, August 31 - US vs England
       Ellerslie Rugby Park
       Kickoff: 5:00 PM
•      Monday, September 4 - US vs Ireland
       Ellerslie Rugby Park
       Kickoff: Noon
•      Friday, September 8 - US vs. Australia
       St. Albert Rugby Football Park
       Kickoff: 2:00 PM
•      Tuesday, September 12
       Knockout matches, tripleheader
       Ellerslie Rugby Football Park
•      Saturday, September 16
       7th, 9th and 11th Place playoffs
       Ellerslie Rugby Football Park
•      Sunday, September 17
       5th and 3rd Place Playoff and Final
       Commonwealth Stadium

Championship History
Year - Site, Champion (Runner-Up)
1991 - Cardiff, USA (England)
1994 - Edinburgh, England (USA)
1998 - Amsterdam, New Zealand (USA)
2002 - Barcelona, New Zealand (England)

5.30.06 - USA Rugby Women's National Team all-time caps leader Patty Jervey (Atlanta, Ga.) has made an unprecedented fifth Women's Rugby World Cup team as head coach Kathy Flores has announced the squad of 26 players and four non-roster reserves that will represent the United States at this year's Women's Rugby World Cup, Aug. 31-Sept. 17 in Edmonton, Alberta.

"I'm very happy with the squad we picked," said Flores. "We tried to pick a team with a good combination of experience and youth, players that are veterans in the international game and those that will be exposed to it for the first time. We are really seeing the benefit and influence of our U-23 program, selecting players that may have another World Cup ahead of them."

While Jervey will be seeing her fifth World Cup, she will be joined by Hedwig Aerts, Kristin Baja, Jen Crouse, Heather Hale, Patty Jervey, Ellie Karvoski, Phaidra Knight and Meredith Ottens, all who played in 2002's World Cup in The Netherlands and came away with a seventh-place finish.

Position specific non-rostered players that will train and travel in the event of a team injury include hooker Lisa Butts (Chico, Calif.), prop Annie Collier (New York), scrumhalf Kim Magrini (Philadelphia) and wing Jen Sinkler (St. Louis Park, Minn.).

"We have a good veteran pool of players that will really be able to teach the younger players that truly want to learn, and learn of the experiences of those older players."

While grateful for the veteran strength that returns, Flores mentioned that not having the knowledge, international experience, on and off-the-field commitment of players like Lisa Rowe, Alex Williams, and Diane Schnapp in '06 will be the real challenge for this squad.

Flores' staff includes Candi Orsini (assistant coach), Krista McFarren (assistant backs coach), Lisa Bartoli (team physician), Tracy Moens (strength and conditioning), Sara Schouse and Katie Peterson (managers) and Anne Barry (program manager).

The Eagles have a strong World Cup history as the U.S. won the first World Cup in 1991 (defeating England 19-6), and brought home runner-up finishes in both '94 and '98.

Updated 8.11.06 - US Head Coach Kathy Flores noted the difficulty in selecting the squad, "many players have participated with us for the past 3 1/2 years. They all have strengths and attributes that make them leaders of their LAU clubs and territorial unions. Each player has worked very hard to improve her performance for the team and individually. All of this hard work gets down to the fact we can only take 26 rostered players. We also selected 4 position-specific non-rostered players to train with us in the event of injury. These 30 players are a reflection of everyone's hard work and effort."

World Cup 2006 Squad
Name (alphabetical order), Caps, Hometown, Club, Territorial Union

1. Aerts, Hedwig (15), Flyhalf/Center, Brooklyn, NY, New York RC, Northeast
2. Baja, Kristin (14), Flyhalf, Brooklyn, NY, New York RC, Northeast
3. Braymer, Claudia (1), Scrumhalf, Clifton Park, NY, Albany Sirens, Northeast
4. Burke, Jamie (4), Prop, Oakland, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
5. Cabrera, Laura (9), Wing, Oakland, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
6. Carter, Erin, Lock, San Francisco, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
7. Collier, Annie (6), Prop, New York, NY, New York RC, Northeast
8. Cox, Kate (1), Number 8, Smyrna, GA, Atlanta Harlequins, South
9. Crouse, Jen (19), Lock, Oakland, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
10. Dubray, Carrie, Prop, Rutland, VT, New York RC, Northeast
11. English, Ashley (10), Fullback, Oakland, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
12. Hale, Heather (16), Fullback/Flyhalf, Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Harlequins, South
13. Jervey, Patty (35), Center, Atlanta, GA, Atlanta Harlequins, South
14. Karvoski, Ellie (6), Wing, Little Rock, AK, New York RC, Northeast
15. Knight, Lee (2), Scrumhalf, New York, NY, New York RC, Northeast
16. Knight, Phaidra (16), Flanker, Riverdale, NY, New York RC, Northeast
17. Kosanke, Pam (3), Center, Chicago, IL, Chicago North Shore, Midwest
18. McDonald, Laura (1), Flanker, Rome, NY, Hartford Roses WRFC, Northeast
19. McMahon, Kelly (4), Backrow/Utility, Brooklyn, NY, New York RC, Northeast
20. Miller, Danielle (2), Hooker, Seattle, WA, Seattle Women, Pacific
21. Neder, Pat (4), Wing, Smyrna, GA, Atlanta Harlequins, South
22. Nesberg, Tina (2), Number 8, San Francisco, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
23. Ottens, Meredith (23), Prop, Austin, TX, Austin Valkyries, West
24. Pope, Kate, Lock/No, (8), Philadelphia, PA, Philadelphia Women, MARFU
25. Wallace, Mari (2), Hooker, San Francisco, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
26. Warner, Keenya (3), Center, Dobbs Ferry, NY, New York RC, Northeast
27. Zdanczewicz, Kristin (1), Flanker, St, Louis Park, MN, Minnesota Valkyries Midwest

Non-Rostered Reserves:

1. Butts, Lisa, Hooker, Chico, CA, Chico, Pacific
2. Douglas, Farrah, Prop, Chicago, IL, Chicago North Shore, Midwest
3. Magrini, Kim, Scrumhalf/Fullback, Philadelphia, PA, Keystone, Northeast
4. Sinkler, Jen (3), Wing, St, Louis Park, MN, Minnesota Valkyries, Midwest

Reserves:

1. Aerts, Kirsten (1), Forward, Chatanooga, TN, Atlanta Harlequins, South
2. Anglade, Olivia, Outside Center, Seoul, South Korea, Stanford, Pacific
3. Barth, Suzanna (5), Number 8, Silverthorne, CO, Harlequin Olde Girls, West
4. Bennett, Stacy, Flanker/Center, Reston, VA, Northern Virginia WRFC, MARFU
5. Bruce, Stephanie, Fullback/Flyhalf, San Francisco, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
6. Costello, Brenna, Flyhalf/Center, Clemson, SC, Atlanta Harlequins, South
7. Henry, Tyshawn (3), Wing , Brooklyn, NY, New York RC, Northeast
8. Joyce, Jen (5), Lock, Austin, TX, Austin Valkyries, West
9. Kanuk, Mel, Center, Washington, DC, Maryland Stingers, MARFU
10. Kugler, Lynelle, Backrow, Denver, CO, Harlequin Olde Girls, West
11. Lange, Jaime, Lock, Arvada, CO, Harlequin Olde Girls, West
12. MacCallum, Katie, Hooker, New York, NY, New York RC, Northeast
13. Ringgenberg, Christy, Fullback, Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota Valkyries, Midwest
14. Trucano, Chris, Lock, Minneapolis, MN, Twin Cities Amazons, Midwest
15. Turpin, Kate, Wing, Minneapolis, MN, Minnesota Valkyries, Midwest
16. Warner, Courtney, Center, Berkeley, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific
17. Whitman, Heidi, Fullback/Wing, Austin, TX, Austin Valkyries, West
18. Whitmore, Rose, Scrumhalf, San Carlos, CA, Berkeley All-Blues, Pacific