The USA looks to bounce back after a 38-5 loss to England in the opening round of the Women's Super Series, and will have to do so against the #1 team in the world as the Eagles take on the Black Ferns live on FloRugby on Tuesday, July 2.

Both teams have named their lineups for the game, which kicks off 5:15 PM PT at the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, CA. 

Watch USA vs New Zealand LIVE on FloRugby
(Shown worldwide except in New Zealand)

USA head coach Rob Cain has made ten changes to his starting 15 from last week’s loss to England, with another five adjustments to the reserves. 

Among the changes are up to three Eagles who will play for the first time this tournament including starting hooker Katy Augustyn, center Amy Talei Bonte, and reserve Nicole Strasko. Augustyn played her last test match in the USA’s victory over Ireland last November while Bonte and Strasko played their last test matches in 2015 and 2017, respectively. 

Tuesday’s lineup will also see Captain Kate Zackary shift to No. 8 with Bui Baravilala playing fullback and Bulou Mataitoga in at wing. Five players who were reserves last match against England are starters this week including prop Nick James, lock Alycia Washington, flanker Elizabeth Cairns, newly-capped flyhalf Katana Howard, and wing Kris Thomas. 

Cain Carries Positives

“There were lots of positives from the England game," said Cain. "We showed that when we get the small things right and in the right order we can create and put one of the best teams in the world under pressure, stopping them doing what they want, when they want.  

“Full credit to England they took their chances well, for us we know we created some headaches for ourselves, it's a process we are going through,  we will get better at managing some of the headaches we created for ourselves through the experience of the last game. I think we need to remember the type of pressure England gave us and how that was the very first time many of our group had experienced that pressure before.  

“The great thing is that we have another exciting prospect ahead of us, with the aspiration to use those key learning moments through our play. Having the players experience this type of pressure, tempo and best teams in the world will allow them to make another step in the direction we are all headed as a group.”

New Zealand Names Lineup

New Zealand head coach Glenn Moore has also made changes, bringing in three uncapped players onto the bench. 

Wellington lock Joanah Ngan-Woo, Canterbury hooker Forne Burkin and Waikato flanker Kennedy Simon are all set to make their Test debuts from the reserves.

Moore said the squad had recovered well from their match against Canada and would need to step up a notch against the USA.

"We watched the match between USA and England, and the Americans brought a lot of physicality and made some big hits so we need to be ready for that. We've put strategies in place to counter what we expect them to bring and are ready."

New Zealand Lineup
1. Phillipa Love (8)
2. Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate (25)
3. Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (30)
4. Eloise Blackwell (38)
5. Charmaine Smith (22)
6. Charmaine McMenamin (20)
7. Les Elder (Captain, 14)
8. Pia Tapsell (1)
9. Kendra Cocksedge (Vice captain, 48)
10. Ruahei Demant (6)
11. Ayesha Leti-I'iga (4)
12. Chelsea Alley (19)
13. Carla Hohepa (20)
14. Natahlia Moors (1)
15. Renee Wickliffe (36)

16. Forne Burkin*
17. Toka Natua (17)
18. Leilani Perese (6)
19. Joanah Ngan-Woo*
20. Kennedy Simon*
21. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (1)
22. Kelly Brazier (37)
23. Theresa Fitzpatrick (9)