The second round of the Pool A group matches will see the USA face Australia in York Community Centre on Saturday.
The USA will be looking to earn back some points after their disappointing loss to the Red Roses 63 - 7 last week. Conversely, Australia are currently enjoying top spot in the Pool A rankings, and will be wanting to continue to grow their lead.
The teams last faced each other during a warm-up match, where the Wallaroos emerged victorious with a35 50 - 22 score at full time.
Despite being ranked higher than the USA in the current world rankings, Australia have only beaten the USA in three of their nine encounters, with the USA last walking away with a 14 - 12 victory in 2024.
The Sporting News runs through the latest team news and injury updates for both sides as the match draws nearer.
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Australia vs. USA starting XV, team news.
The Wallaroos broke their record for the most points scored in a World Cup match last week as they demolished Samoa 73 - 0 and will be hoping to continue to ride that wave against the USA.
Coach Jo Yapp has kept the starting XV familiar to the winning side from last week, with Player of the Match Cecilia Smith remaining in her spot as left wing.
However, prop Bridie O’Gorman has been brought into the front row, replacing Asoiva Karpani.
Golden girls of the Wallaroos’ last match against Samoa, Kaitlyn Halse and Desiree Miller, will be also gracing the field again after each scoring two and thee tries respectively last week.
This will be former captain Michaela Leonard’s 40th test match, landing her a spot in the history books as just the third player in Wallaroo history to achieve that milestone.
Australia starting XV:
15 - Halse, 14 - Steward, 13 - Friedrichs, 12 - Smith, 11 - Miller, 10 - Moleka, 9 - Wood, 1 - Pohiva, 2 - Naden, 3 - O’Gorman, 4 - Leaney, 5 - Leonard, 6 - Duck, 7 - Chancellor, 8 - Tuinakauvadra
Full Australia squad
Forwards: Katalina Amosa, Bree-Anna Browne, Annabelle Codey, Emily Chancellor, Piper Duck, Ashley Fernandez, Brianna Hoy, Asoiva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Tania Naden, Bridie O'Gorman, Siokapesi Palu (captain), Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Backs: Lori Cramer, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Manu'a Moleka, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Caitlin Urwin, Samantha Wood
Injured: none
Suspended: none
The USA have changed up their starting XV quite significantly off the back of their loss to the Red Roses.
Erica Jarrell- Searcy, who was the only American try scorer in the match last weekend, remains in the same position, although her second-row partner has been changed to Hallie Tafoou.
Veteran front rows Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder and Keia Mae Sagapalu are also remaining in their same formation from last time.
Captain Kate Zachary will be reappearing on the field, as she moves from blindside to openside flanker. Emily Heinrich will be similarly shifting position, taking over from Alev Kelter as centre.
USA starting XV:
15 - Sharp, 14 - Emba, 13 - Maher, 12 - Heinrich, 11 - Coulibaly, 10 - Hawkins, 9 - Bargell, 1 - Rogers, 2 - Treder, 3 - Sagapolu, 4 - Taufoou, 5 - Jarrell-Searcy, 6 - Tafuna, 7 - Zachary (c), 8 - Johnson
Full USA squad
Forwards: Hope Rogers, Maya Learned, Charli Jacoby, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Catie Benson, Alivia Leatherman, Kathryn Treder, Paige Stathopoulos, Hope Cooper, Hallie Taufoou, Erica Jarrell-Searcy, Rachel Ehrecke, Emerson Allen, Tahlia Brody, Rachel Johnson, Freda Tafuna, Kate Zackary, Georgie Perris-Redding
Backs: Olivia Ortiz, Cassidy Bargell, McKenzie Hawkins, Kristin Bitter, Alev Kelter, Emily Henrich, Ilona Maher, Nana Fa’avesi, Gabby Cantorna, Erica Coulibaly, Cheta Emba, Bulou Mataitoga, Sariah Ibarra, Lotte Sharp
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Australia vs USA score predictions
This will arguably be the best-matched pairing of Pool A, with Australia ranked number six and the USA ranked tenth. The USA will have to work hard to be able to use their physicality against such a fast and inventive Australian side - although history demonstrates that the Eagles are more than up to the job.
Score Prediction: Australia 35 - 32 USA
How to watch Australia vs USA: Live stream, TV channel
All of the Women’s World Cup matches will be broadcast live on the BBC and on England Rugby’s YouTube. Australia versus USA will take place on Friday, August 30, at 19:30 GMT.
Rugby news and related content
- What happened at the Women’s Rugby World Cup? Opening weekend Pool A results, key moments, standout players and more
- USA Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 squad, assessed: Who are the Eagles?
- Australia Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 squad, assessed: Who are the Wallaroos?