2 weeks ago
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The Beeb has just switched to York where a blustery breeze is blowing scarves and flags.
It’s starts and stripes and starts and Union Jacks.
A reminder that a win here would see Australia go through to the quarters. If the USA win they’ll have their destiny in their own hands.
It’s a sellout at the Community Stadium. We’ve had a series of blowouts and one-sided games. I’m expecting this to be the first genuinely close contest of the World Cup. That is, if both teams deliver.
For those just joining us, England crushed Samoa 92-3 in Northampton.
Here’s Sarah Rendell’s report:
USA team
Now or never for the Eagles. Defeat would see them crash out and take the most marketable rugby player on the planet with them.
There are nine changes to the team that was swatted aside by England last Friday as head coach Sione Fukofuka has rolled the dice for this must-win clash.
There’s no room for sentiment as three-time Olympian Alev Kelter has been dropped. Elsewhere wingers Cheta Emba and Erica Coulibaly will have to step up and deal with Australia’s lightening edges.
There is plenty of pressure on Emily Henrich’s shoulders but the 25-year-old showed last week she is more than capable of handling it. Strong in defence and full of power, she and Ilona Maher will provide plenty of questions for Australia’s midfield. Expect straight running and big collisions.
USA: Sharp; Emba, Maher, Henrich, Coulibaly, Hawkins, Bargell; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu, Taufoou, Jarrell-Searcey, Tafuna, Zackary (c), Johnson.
Replacements: Stathopoulos, Leatherman, Jacoby, Ehrecke, Brody, Ortiz, Cantorna, Ibarra.
Australia team
For Australia, it is all about getting the job done.
Winger Desiree Miller already has three RWC 2025 tries to her name and will be one to watch, while co-captains Emily Chancellor and Kaitlin Leaney continue in the absence of injured Siokapesi Palu.
Second-row Michaela Leonard is set to win her 40th cap - just the third Wallaroo to reach such a mark. A formidable athlete and a former skipper, Leonard will be out to stamp her authority on this momentous fixture.
“The focus is about us, we’ve done a lot coming into this competition around our try lines and try line defence and generally our collision dominance,” said their coach, Jo Yapp.
Australia: Halse; Stewart, Friedrichs, Smith, Miller, Moleka, Wood; Pohiva, Nadem O’Gorman, Leaney (c), Leonard, Duck, Chancellor, Tuinakauvadra.
Replacements: Amosa, Kavoa, Karpini, Codey, Marsters, Morgan, Pomare, Hinds.
Australia are flying under the radar this World Cup and are still a very outside bet at winning the thing.
But they’re a team on the rise. Don’t be surprised if they do something special this evening.
Are mismatches bad for the game? Not according to those in charge:
England have just thumped Samoa. I reckon this will be much, much tighter
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
The equation is simple for the USA. Win and they live to fight another day. Lose and the inaugural winners of the World Cup will be out of the competition.
“This is the game of the round,” says our man Aaron Bower. I fully agree. The World Cup has had everything apart from jeopardy and close games. This one promises both.
The Wallaroos are a team on the rise. Quarterfinalists three years ago, they’ve benefited from an influx of sevens stars and increased attention and funding. Their most recent game against the Eagles ended with a 27-19 victory in the Pacific Four Series in May and they’ll be full of confidence after thrashing Samoa in an 11-try, 73-0 rout.
Does that make them favourites? Not accordinng to Alivia Leatherman, the USA’s prop who told reporters this week, “We should win,” adding, “we have everything we need” to get the result.
I love it. I want a bit of needle and a bit of chest thumping in the sport I consume and there’ll be plenty of that, I’m sure of it.
Australia’s coach Jo Yapp has said she’s not interested in her team playing “pretty” rugby. All she cares about is the win.
That sort of do-or-die attitude is what makes World Cups the unmissable showstoppers that they are. I can’t wait for this one!
Team news, some quality reading and other bits and bobs to follow.
Kick off is at 7.30pm BST/4.30am AEST/2.30pm EDT.
