USA head into their second Pacific Four Series encounter of 2026 with five Loughborough Lightning players in their matchday squad.
The Eagles kicked off their campaign with a defeat to New Zealand, and will be looking to bounce back when they take on Australia at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday 18 April (kick-off: 2am UK time).
They will do so with Alev Kelter at fullback, Bulou Mataitoga on the right wing, Kathryn Treder and Mae Sagapolu in the front row and Paige Stathopoulos named amongst the replacements.
Head Coach Jack Hanratty said: “Last week we wanted to showcase that we could score from different areas of the game. We showed glimpses of that but we definitely want more. The starting team has remained unchanged allowing the group to build on the good and have a redo of what needs to be better.
“Australia and the USA seem to be growing a rivalry. Last year’s RWC tie was likely one of the games of the tournament but it was still a tie and I know both sides will be targeting this as a win.”
USA team to face Australia
15 Alev Kelter (Loughborough Lightning)
14 Bulou Mataitoga (Loughborough Lightning)
13 Emily Henrich
12 Katana Howard
11 Erica Coulibaly
10 Bella Vogel
9 Cass Bargell
1 Hope Rogers
2 Kathryn Treder (Loughborough Lightning)
3 Mae Sagapolu (Loughborough Lightning)
4 Hallie Taufoou
5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (C)
6 Hann Humphreys
7 Georgie Perris-Redding
8 Freda Tafuna
Replacements:
16 Paige Stathopoulos (Loughborough Lightning)
17 Reece Woods
18 Alivia Leatherman
19 Kapoina Bailey
20 Tessa Hann
21 Abigail Paton
22 Kristin Bitter
23 Telesi Uhatafe