Hope Rogers scored twice as the USA powered to a commanding 33–12 victory over Australia in Kansas City, with the match delayed over two hours due to severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings.

Key moments

12 mins – TRY USA: The Eagles opened the scoring after sustained forward pressure, with Hope Rogers powering over from close range following a dominant maul and several strong carries from Erica Jarrell-Searcy. Bella Vogel converts. (USA 7–0 Australia)

16 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Maya Stewart sin-binned after a string of penalties against the Wallaroos, with the USA camped inside the 22.

20 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Siokapesi Palu responds immediately, breaking through tackles and powering over from close range after Samantha Wood’s brilliant 50-22 kick turned the momentum. Wood converts. (USA 7–7 Australia)

29 mins – TRY USA: Georgie Perris-Redding dots down after initially being denied for a knock-on. The TMO intervenes to confirm the flanker had just held on as she stretched out under sustained pressure near the line. Vogel converts. (USA 14–7 Australia)

32 mins – TRY RULED OUT AUSTRALIA: Tania Naden crosses from the back of the maul, but the TMO spots a clear knock-on in the build-up. USA scrum 5m out.

Half-time: USA 14–7 Australia. The USA headed into the sheds with plenty to like after a strong opening half built on forward dominance and territorial pressure. Freda Tafuna and Jarrell-Searcy consistently got over the gainline. Australia showed resilience through Palu’s powerful try, but handling errors and breakdown turnovers halted their momentum.

50 mins – TRY AUSTRALIA: Desiree Miller finishes a lovely set-piece move on the left edge after the Wallaroos capitalise on a USA handling error near the line. Nicole Ledington wraps around to release Maya Stewart, who fires it wide for Miller to dive over in the corner. Wood misses the conversion. (USA 14–12 Australia)

58 mins – TRY USA: Freda Tafuna piles over from close range after the USA maul edges towards the 22 and the pack rumbles through multiple phases. Vogel converts. (USA 21–12 Australia)

65 mins – TRY RULED OUT USA: Hope Rogers powers over in trademark fashion, but the TMO spots a clear forward pass from Alev Kelter to Erica Coulibaly almost 40 metres upfield. Australia scrum on their 10m line.

69 mins – TRY USA: Rogers gets her double, spying space close to the line and touching down after Australia cough up possession twice in quick succession. Vogel converts. (USA 28–12 Australia)

75 mins – YELLOW CARD USA: Rogers shown yellow for a high shot on Palu, who departs for an HIA. Australia opt to scrum on their own 10m line.

80 mins – TRY USA: Emily Henrich seals the win, picking from the base of the ruck and barging over after sustained pressure. Kristin Bitter misses the conversion. (USA 33–12 Australia)

Full-time: USA 33–12 Australia

Full match report to follow.

Teams

USA: 15 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Emily Henrich, 12 Katana Howard, 11 Erica Coulibaly, 10 Bella Vogel, 9 Cass Bargell, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 6 Hann Humphreys, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (c), 4 Hallie Taufoou, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers.
Replacements: Paige Stathopoulos, Reece Woods, Alivia Leatherman, Kapoina Bailey, Tessa Hann, Abigail Paton, Kristin Bitter, Telesi Uhatafe.

Australia: 15 Faitala Moleka, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Sidney Taylor, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Nicole Ledington, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Piper Duck, 7 Emily Chancellor, 6 Siokapesi Palu (c), 5 Kaitlan Leaney, 4 Tiarah Minns, 3 Eva Karpani, 2 Tania Naden, 1 Brianna Hoy.
Replacements: Adiana Talakai, Faliki Pohiva, Bridie O’Gorman, Michaela Leonard, Dillyn Blackburn, Ella Ryan, Ava Wereta, Waiaria Ellis.

Match details

USA 33 (Tries: Rogers 2, Perris-Redding, Tafuna, Henrich; Conversions: Vogel 4/4, Bitter 0/1)
Australia 12 (Tries: Palu, Miller; Conversions: Wood 1/2)
Half-time: 14–7

Venue: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)

Canada outmuscled the Wallaroos 24–0 in a rain-soaked Pacific Four Series opener at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, crossing for four tries in a dominant display that was delayed over 70 minutes by thunder and lightning.

Key moments

Kick-off delayed – Weather chaos in Sacramento: Thunderstorms force a 70-minute delay, with the match eventually played behind closed doors for safety reasons. No anthems are held as the teams go straight into action.

4 mins – Soap ball conditions: Both teams struggle to handle the drenched ball with puddles across the pitch. The Wallaroos’ scrum holds firm in the early exchanges.

8 mins – Australia adapt early: Samantha Wood’s box-kicking pins Canada inside their own half. The Wallaroos embrace the grind and earn a penalty inside Canada’s 22, though the chance comes to nothing.

18 mins – TRY CANADA: Canada open the scoring as Julia Omokhuale picks up from the base of the ruck and burrows over from close range. The rolling maul had done the damage, drawing repeated penalties before the lock finds the chalk. Claire Gallagher curls the conversion wide to the right. (Canada 5–0 Australia)

24 mins – Wallaroos threaten: Desiree Miller conjures a remarkable break, blocking a grubber in behind and racing 50 metres on the counter. The ball is moved to Maya Stewart on the far wing but the winger is hauled down just short of the line, spilling the ball.

29 mins – Canadian scrum dominates: The Canadian set-piece establishes clear supremacy, with several penalties conceded by the Wallaroos both for short arm and full arm infringements. The pressure is building.

38 mins – TRY CANADA: Justine Pelletier wriggles through a gap at the ruck to put Canada in a threatening position, and moments later Pamphinette Buisa crashes over in a pick-and-go to extend the lead. Gallagher converts. (Canada 12–0 Australia)

Half-time: Canada 12–0 Australia. Canada have been the dominant force in a miserable first half in Sacramento, their powerful pack repeatedly breaching the Wallaroos’ defence through the rolling maul and pick-and-go. Australia showed glimpses of attacking intent — Miller’s counter-attack the standout moment — but could not convert pressure into points. The Canadian scrum has been a weapon, and with Justine Pelletier directing traffic smartly at nine, the Maple Leafs will be the happier side at the interval.

47 mins – Stewart escapes sanction: Maya Stewart clatters Justine Pelletier high but referee Aurélie Groizeleau finds mitigation in the drop in body height. A fortunate escape for the Wallaroos.

50 mins – Double changes: Australia make a series of replacements including Piper Duck and Waiaria Ellis, while Canada introduce World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year Sophie de Goede from the bench.

55 mins – Wallaroos hold firm: A huge defensive stand from the Wallaroos as they twice force turnovers on their own goal-line, denying Canada a third try.

58–62 mins – Lineout woes: Both teams struggle with lineout throwing in the wet conditions, with back-to-back throws going to ground for the Wallaroos.

66 mins – TRY CANADA: Canada’s patience pays off. Taylor Perry creates the opportunity and a series of passes finds Asia Hogan-Rochester unmarked in the corner to dive over. Gallagher misses the conversion. (Canada 17–0 Australia)

72 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Brittany Merlo is shown a yellow card, reducing the Wallaroos to 14 after one too many penalties conceded as Canada launch into the 22 through their rolling maul.

73 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Cecilia Smith compounds the Wallaroos’ misery with a yellow card for a high shot in the build-up, reviewed by the TMO and confirmed. Australia are reduced to 13 men.

74 mins – TRY CANADA: With Australia down to 13, Kiki Idowu crashes over from short range to seal a comprehensive victory. Justine Pelletier plays a key role in the build-up. Gallagher converts. (Canada 24–0 Australia)

Full-time: Canada 24–0 Australia

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Canada: 15 Chloe Daniels, 14 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12 Claire Gallagher, 11 Aurora Bowie, 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier (capt.), 8 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Gabrielle Senft, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 5 Laetitia Royer, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 1 Brittany Kassil.
Replacements: 16 Kiki Idowu, 17 Sierra Gillis, 18 Brooke Rempel, 19 Ashlynn Smith, 20 Sophie de Goede, 21 Rachel Smith, 22 Corinne Fréchette, 23 Paige Farries.

Australia: 15 Faitala Moleka, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Sidney Taylor, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Nicole Ledington, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt.), 7 Emily Chancellor, 6 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Tiarah Minns, 4 Michaela Leonard, 3 Bridie O’Gorman, 2 Adiana Talakai, 1 Brianna Hoy.
Replacements: 16 Brittany Merlo, 17 Faliki Pohiva, 18 Eva Karpani, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Lily Bone, 21 Piper Duck, 22 Waiaria Ellis, 23 Cecilia Smith.

Match details

Canada 24 (Tries: Omokhuale, Buisa, Hogan-Rochester, Idowu; Conversions: Gallagher 2/4; Penalties: nil)
Australia 0 (Tries: nil; Conversions: nil; Penalties: nil)
Half-time: 12–0

Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Amelia Luciano & Alexis Saari (USAR)
TMO: Derek Summers (USAR)

Mererangi Paul scored a hat-trick as the Black Ferns launched the Whitney Hansen era with a commanding 48–15 victory over the USA in Sacramento, though discipline issues saw them reduced to 12 players at one stage.

Key moments

5 mins – TRY USA: The Eagles opened the scoring through forward pressure, with Hope Rogers powering over from close range after a well-executed rolling maul. Bella Vogel converts. (USA 7–0 New Zealand)

8 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Individual brilliance from Mererangi Paul, who chipped and chased inside the 22 after Maiakawanakaulani Roos won strong lineout ball and Maia Joseph sped up delivery. Renee Holmes converts. (USA 7–7 New Zealand)

11 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Paul has her second after Sylvia Brunt powered into the 22 and Kaipo Olsen-Baker made strong carries. Joseph’s quick ruck ball allowed Ruahei Demant to release Paul on the right edge. Holmes misses the conversion. (USA 7–12 New Zealand)

14 mins – PENALTY USA: Vogel slots from in front after the Black Ferns were isolated at the breakdown following a scrappy restart. (USA 10–12 New Zealand)

32 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Brunt breaches the defensive line with footwork and pace, stepping past Katana Howard to score to the left of the posts. Holmes converts. (USA 10–19 New Zealand)

34 mins – TRY USA: Hann Humphreys steals at the breakdown and Howard delivers a perfectly weighted chip to the left edge. Erica Coulibaly wins the foot race to touch down. Vogel’s conversion drifts left. (USA 15–19 New Zealand)

Half-time: USA 15–19 New Zealand. A fast and ferocious opening half saw both sides enjoy periods of control. The USA started strongly through forward pressure, but the Black Ferns looked more dangerous with ball in hand through Brunt and Olsen-Baker. Handling errors prevented New Zealand from building a bigger lead.

42 mins – YELLOW CARD NEW ZEALAND: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u sin-binned for a high tackle, with an off-field review to follow.

48 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Clinical execution as Joseph and Demant fire back-to-back skip passes to the right edge, leaving Holmes unmarked to walk in. Holmes converts her own try. (USA 15–26 New Zealand)

52 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Paul completes her hat-trick, leaping over in the right corner after another slick move involving Joseph. Holmes runs out of time for the conversion. (USA 15–31 New Zealand)

56 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Brunt fires into midfield, with Olsen-Baker offloading for Amy du Plessis before Paul and Holmes combine for Holmes to score in the corner. Holmes converts. (USA 15–38 New Zealand)

60 mins – RED CARD NEW ZEALAND: Tanya Kalounivale shown a 20-minute red card for an illegal cleanout after TMO review. Black Ferns reduced to 13 players.

63 mins – TRY NEW ZEALAND: Despite being two players down, Hannah King strides in down the left edge after quick hands off the lineout. Holmes converts. (USA 15–45 New Zealand)

72 mins – YELLOW CARD NEW ZEALAND: Vici-Rose Green sin-binned for repeated infringements, leaving New Zealand with 12 players.

80 mins – PENALTY NEW ZEALAND: Holmes slots from in front to complete the scoring as thunderstorms roll into Sacramento. (USA 15–48 New Zealand)

Full-time: USA 15–48 New Zealand

Full match report to follow.

Teams

USA: 15 Alev Kelter, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 11 Erica Coulibaly, 10 Bella Vogel, 9 Cass Bargell, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 6 Hann Humphreys, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (c).
Replacements: Hope Cooper, Reece Woods, Abigail Paton, Telesi Uhatafe, Kristin Bitter, Kapoina Bailey, Alivia Leatherman, Emerson Allen.

New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Ruahei Demant (c), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (c), 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Laura Bayfield, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: Mia Anderson, Tara Turner, Justine McGregor, Tanya Kalounivale, Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, Hannah King, Vici-Rose Green, Maddi Robinson.

Match details

USA 15 (Tries: Rogers, Coulibaly; Conversions: Vogel 1/2; Penalties: Vogel 1/1)
New Zealand 48 (Tries: Paul 3, Brunt, Holmes 2, King; Conversions: Holmes 5/7; Penalties: Holmes 1/1)
Half-time: 15–19

Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento
Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)