The United States is determined to surprise in the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup against England, which will be played on Friday in Sunderland.
The “Red Roses” have only lost once against the United States, in their first encounter in the 1991 World Cup final, and are the clear favorites before the tournament.
However, they face a team of the “Eagles” who are eager to spoil the party and make a statement of intent, with the aim of reaching the semi-finals.
“I don’t see it as a challenge. I see it as a great opportunity to really show what we’ve been working on and make a name for ourselves,” said captain Kate Zackary.
Kate Zackary
“So I approach that match thinking we have a chance to win. Obviously, if we don’t win, our goal is to achieve many small victories. England has a great attack, can we stop it? They have incredible players in the three-quarter line. Can we stop them?”
After a disappointing campaign in 2022 and falling to number 10 in the world, the United States is desperate to succeed and shake off the label of “sleeping giants”.0:52Ortiz: No hay mejor lugar para ser sede de una Copa del Mundo que Inglaterra. La medio scrum de Estados Unidos, Olivia Ortiz, comparte su entusiasmo por enfrentarse a Inglaterra en el partido inaugural de la Copa Mundial Femenina de Rugby de 2025.“We are built to do something great, and I just want everyone to feel rewarded when we get out of here, that they really gave it their all,” said Zackary.
“We’re leaving with, ideally, a trophy, but, at the very least, with our heads held high. We return to the United States and everyone sees that we are truly a force. Not the sleeping giants that people have talked about for years.”
Ilona Maher, the biggest star of the game who will start as outside center against England, said they are aware that anything less than a full 80-minute performance will not be enough.
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“We’ve started very strong in some of these games and in the first half,” Maher said. “It’s how we can maintain that momentum. I think [against] England, you’ll need to be in form all the time. You can’t make mistakes with them.”
The scrum-half Olivia Ortiz said they want to bring an explosive and offensive style of rugby to the tournament, with players like fly-half McKenzie Hawkins, Maher and winger Bulou Mataitoga looking to ignite the competition.
“We really want to play a fast-paced and very physical game, and then, if spaces open up, we want to kick and take advantage and put the pressure on our opposition,” Ortiz said.
“Whether through our run, pass, or kick. We seek to show the world what we are made of.”
