The USA women’s rugby team kept their Rugby World Cup 2025 dreams alive with a commanding 60-0 victory over Samoa in York. The result gave the Eagles their biggest winning margin in more than a decade and secured a crucial bonus point, but their path to the quarter-finals is still uncertain. To qualify, they need England to beat Australia in Brighton and prevent the Wallaroos from earning a bonus point. On top of that, the Americans must rely on a large points swing across the two matches, with a gap of 135 points separating them from Australia before kick-off.
From the opening whistle, the USA showed their intent. Freda Tafuna powered through the Samoan defense for the first try after only six minutes. Soon after, Hope Rogers scored twice in the space of twelve minutes, giving the Eagles full control. Cassidy Bargell and Erica Coulibaly crossed the line before halftime, sending the team into the break with a 27-0 lead. The early rush of tries also delivered the four-try bonus point the team needed, but the players knew the job was far from done. They had to keep scoring to keep their hopes alive.
The Americans continued their momentum in the second half. Erica Jarrell touched down within seconds of the restart, and Tafuna quickly added her second try with a strong run. Tafuna then scored twice more around the hour mark, bringing her total to four tries in a single match, a standout performance for the forward. Gabby Cantorna added five conversions to keep the points tally climbing.
Fly-half Kristin Bitter drove the attack for much of the game, but her yellow card midway through the second half slowed the team’s rhythm. With Samoa backed by a lively crowd, there was a brief spell where the Eagles lost some momentum, and it even looked as though Samoa might finally score their first try of the tournament. However, the USA regrouped and struck again in the final minutes. Olivia Ortiz scored in the closing stages, and Cantorna converted to bring the total to 60 points.
For Samoa, the match was another difficult outing. They entered the contest having failed to score a try in their first two games and could not break that pattern despite determined efforts. Their defense was tested throughout the match as the Eagles maintained relentless pressure, leaving Samoa shut out once again.
The final whistle brought relief and satisfaction for the USA, but also left them facing an anxious wait. Their performance was powerful and disciplined, but qualification now rests in the hands of another team. England must not only defeat Australia but also win by a significant margin and deny the Wallaroos a bonus point for scoring four or more tries. Only then will the Eagles move ahead and claim a place in the last eight.
The situation sets up a dramatic finish to the group stage. England have been in strong form throughout the tournament and are capable of scoring heavily. The Americans will hope the hosts can deliver one more dominant performance, one that not only secures England’s place but also keeps the USA in the competition. If all goes their way, it would mark one of the most remarkable qualifications in the team’s history.
For now, the Eagles can take pride in their achievement against Samoa. Scoring ten tries in a World Cup match, with Tafuna leading the way, was a clear sign of progress and belief. Their victory was not just about keeping dreams alive but also about showing their strength on the global stage. Whether it proves enough to carry them into the quarter-finals will be revealed in Brighton, where their hopes now rest on the outcome of England versus Australia.
