Women's U-23 Team Lose Second Match of Tour, Learn Valuable Lessons

PALMERSTON NORTH, New Zealand — The USA U-23 Women’s National Team fell to the Manawatu Women NPC on Saturday, July 28 at the Massey University Sport & Rugby Institute in Palmerston North. With a final score of 34-3, this second match of the team’s New Zealand tour demonstrated the physical intensity of the game and the rugby style played in New Zealand.

“We came over to learn the hard lessons and Manawatu provided them,” Head Coach Barb Fugate said. “We will see how the players respond by raising their physical pressure in contact and improving their ability to attack while under pressure.”

The young USA squad was overcome by the Manawatu Women, who scored six tries, with two of those converted. The U-23’s points resulted from a penalty kick in the first half by fullback Kirsten Ahrendt (Dartmouth), making the final score 34-3.

The team will spend a couple of days training in Palmerston North before heading to Auckland for their tour-concluding match on Saturday, August 4. The U-23 coaching staff will be joined by New Zealand Rugby development officers, including Farah Palmer, former New Zealand Black Ferns captain.

Penalty kick: Kirsten Ahrendt

Staff:
Barb Fugate, head coach
Martha Daines, assistant coach
Susan Whitwell, assistant coach
Annemarie Henning, program manager
Teresa Tucker, team manager
Nicole Titmas, athletic trainer