Pacific Four 2026 – USA vs New Zealand

The Pacific Four kicks off with a double-header in Sacramento on Saturday. It’s the first match for both the USA and New Zealand since the World Cup, which saw the Eagles knocked out in the pool stage and the Black Ferns settling for Bronze after being upset by Canada in the Semi Final. Both have new Head Coaches and feature some new names in their match day squads.

FORM GUIDE

Current World Ranking: 8 (72.90 points)
2025-09-06 – USA 60, Samoa 0 (York)
2025-08-30 – USA 31, Australia 31 (York)
2025-08-22 – England 69, USA 7 (Sunderland)
2025-08-01 – Canada 42, USA 10 (Ottawa)
2025-07-19 – USA 31, Fiji 24 (DC)

Current World Ranking: 3 (89.85 points)
2025-09-27 – France 26, New Zealand 42 (London)
2025-09-19 – Canada 34, New Zealand 19 (Bristol)
2025-09-13 – New Zealand 46, South Africa 17 (Exeter)
2025-09-07 – Ireland 0, New Zealand 40 (Brighton)
2025-08-31 – New Zealand 62, Japan 19 (Exeter)

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

	IN	OUT
6	Hann Humphreys	Rachel Johnson
7	Georgie Perris-Redding	Kate Zackary
10	Bella Vogel	McKenzie Hawkins
12	Katana Howard	Gabby Cantorna
14	Bulou Mataitoga	Ilona Maher
15	Alev Kelter	Sariah Ibarra

	IN	OUT
3	Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu	Tanya Kalounivale
7	Kennedy Tukuafu	Jorja Miller
9	Maia Joseph	Risi Pouri-Lane
11	Ayesha Leti-I’iga	Portia Woodman
13	Amy du Plessis	Stacey Waaka
14	Mererangi Paul	Braxton Sorenson-McGee

NOTES

Jack Hanratty takes over the American side from Sione Fukofuka, who has since moved on to Scotland… originally from Ireland, Hanratty led Canada to a Silver Medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics… he was also an assistant coach with Canada’s senior women’s XVs side
Hann Humphreys and Bella Vogel will make their test debuts as starters… Humphreys impressed on the World Sevens circuit while Vogel was a collegiate start at Life University… Hope Cooper (hooker), Reece Woods (prop), Abigail Paton (halfback), and Telesi Uhatafe (midfield) are expected to earn their first caps as replacements
regular skipper Kate Zackary and center Gabby Cantorna are both out of the tournament with injury… Erica Jarrell-Searcy will captain the side in Zackary’s absence
Whitney Hansen is the new coach of the Black Ferns… she is the daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and previously in charge of Matatu in Super Rugby Aupiki
three uncapped players are named on New Zealand’s bench… loose forward Mia Anderson, halfback Tara Turner, and winger Justin McGregor
Julianne Zussman will be in the middle of what is an all-Canadian match official team

QUOTES

Jack Hanratty (Head Coach)

“It’s been a fast learning for all staff and athletes, but the one thing that has been there from Day 1 is the willingness and openness to create an Eagles style of rugby. We want to explore the game and give the right to try things and be adaptive and responsive to all elements in the game. We only know where we are when tested, and who better to be tested by than historically the most successful Women’s rugby program in the world?”

Whitney Hansen (Head Coach)

“This match is the first opportunity for us to test our rugby identity and highlight our strengths. Our identity isn’t completely new; it’s refining what has already been done and we look forward to putting out a strong performance in front of fans in the USA and back home.”

PREDICTION

Damp and overcast conditions are forecast, which shouldn’t have a substantial impact. The Black Ferns field an experienced side with world class flyhalf Ruahei Demant again in the lineup. It’s a big ask for the likes of Humphreys and Vogel to start their test careers opposite one of the best teams on the planet. Expect the Black Ferns to make a statement as they look to defend their tournament title. New Zealand are clear favorites in Sacramento.

TEAMS

USA
1 Hope Rogers, 2 Kathryn Treder, 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu, 4 Hallie Taufo’ou, 5 Erica Jarrell-Searcy (capt.), 6 Hann Humphreys, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding, 8 Freda Tafuna, 9 Cassidy Bargell, 10 Bella Vogel, 11 Erica Coulibaly, 12 Katana Howard, 13 Emily Henrich, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 15 Alev Kelter

Replacements: 16 Hope Cooper, 17 Reece Woods, 18 Alivia Leatherman, 19 Emerson Allen, 20 Kapoina Bailey, 21 Abigail Paton, 22 Kristin Bitter, 23 Telesi Uhatafe

NEW ZEALAND
1 Chryss Viliko, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4 Maia Roos, 5 Laura Bayfield, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt.), 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 9 Maia Joseph, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-capt.), 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12 Sylvia Brunt, 13 Amy du Plessis, 14 Mererangi Paul, 15 Renee Holmes

Replacements: 16 Vici-Rose Green, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18 Tanya Kalounivale, 19 Ma’ama Vaipulu, 20 Mia Anderson, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Hannah King, 23 Justine McGregor

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, April 11
Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento
Kickoff: 16:00 local (19:00 Eastern, Sunday 11:00 NZ)
Weather Forecast: cloudy with showers, 61°F (16°C), wind S 8-12mph (13-19km/h)
Broadcasts: Paramount+ (USA), Sky Sports (New Zealand), RugbyPass TV

OFFICIALS

Referee: Julianne Zussman (Canada)
Assistants: Emma Gallagher (Canada) & Kristine Lovatt (Canada)
TMO: Cam Russell (Canada)

HISTORY

HEAD-TO-HEAD (17): New Zealand 16, USA 1
2025-05-24 – New Zealand 79, USA 14 (Auckland)
2024-05-11 – New Zealand 57, USA 5 (Hamilton)
2023-07-14 – USA 17, New Zealand 39 (Ottawa)
2022-06-18 – New Zealand 50, USA 6 (Whangarei)
2019-07-02 – USA 0, New Zealand 33 (Chula Vista)
2018-11-03 – USA 6, New Zealand 67 (Chicago)
2017-08-22 – USA 12, New Zealand 45 (Belfast)
2015-07-05 – USA 14, New Zealand 47 (Edmonton)
2014-08-17 – USA 5, New Zealand 55 (Paris)
2014-08-09 – USA 3, New Zealand 34 (Paris)
2004-06-13 – USA 0, New Zealand 35 (Calgary)
2000-09-27 – USA 0, New Zealand 45 (Winnipeg)
1999-10-19 – New Zealand 65, USA 5 (Palmerston North)
1998-05-16 – USA 12, New Zealand 44 (Amsterdam)
1996-09-11 – USA 8, New Zealand 88 (Edmonton)
1991-04-12 – USA 7, New Zealand 0 (Cardiff)
1990-08-30 – New Zealand 9, USA 3 (Christchurch)