Latest news with #USARugby
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
US women's rugby star, Olympian Alev Kelter sent off for stamping on the head of an opponent
SYDNEY (AP) — United States Olympic rugby star Alev Kelter will face a judicial hearing and potentially lengthy suspension after being sent off in a women's rugby test against Australia on Saturday for stamping on the head of an opponent. Kelter received a straight red card in the 79th minute of the Pacific Four Series test against Australia after referee Aimee Barrett-Theron reviewed footage that showed Kelter stamping forcefully on the head of Australian center Georgie Friedrichs. In comments captured by television microphones, Barrett-Theron said '12 blue (Kelter) is going to receive a permanent red card because this is thuggery, it is deliberate and it is very dangerous foul play. 'She's clearly stamped on the head of the Australian player. That's reckless, that's dangerous and she's going off.' Friedrichs was not seriously injured in the incident. The United States team coach Sione Fukofuka later apologized to the Australian players. Foul play in rugby that involves contact with the head is treated with extreme seriousness. Rugby, like many contact sports, has changed its rules in an effort to limit the danger of concussion and other head injuries. Kelter is a three-time US Olympic representative in rugby sevens and won a bronze medal in Paris last year. She previously played ice hockey and soccer for the University of Wisconsin. In rugby, judicial hearings over foul play usually take place withing 48 hours of a match. Australia won Saturday's match 27-19. ___ AP rugby:
Associated Press
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Australia beats Ilona Maher-led US team in women's rugby international
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Despite all the pre-match hype over the world's most-famous rugby player, Ilona Maher wasn't able to help her American team beat Australia on Saturday in a Pacific Four match. Australia led 19-14 at halftime and went on to beat the U.S. 27-19 in the match at Canberra stadium. Maher was by far the most popular player on either side in the game which preceded a men's Super Rugby match between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds as part of a doubleheader. If anyone needed persuading about the popularity angle, Australian backrower Tabua Tuinakauvadra provided it. 'I've been talking to my friends about this,' Tuinakauvadra said ahead of the match. 'This is the first game they're coming to watch me play rugby, but they're coming to watch Ilona first.' Maher played recently on a short-term deal for the Bristol Bears in England. It was the second loss in a row for the Americans in the tournament and the first win for Australia. In opening matches, New Zealand beat Australia 38-12 in Newcastle north of Sydney, while Canada defeated the U.S. 26-14 in Kansas City. The 28-year-old Maher helped lead the U.S. to the bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics. But the Vermont native has returned to the 15-a-side game in hopes of boosting her chances of making the U.S. team for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England. Maher is the most followed rugby player on social media and her three-month contract at Bristol brought significant attention to the English league. Maher has more than eight million followers combined on Instagram and TikTok. She also was a runner-up on the 'Dancing With The Stars' TV show. ___ AP rugby:
Japan Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
USA hosts Pacific Nations Cup finals with eye to 2027 Rugby World Cup
Fiji players, celebrating last year's Pacific Nations Cup title, will try and defend their crown in September, with the United States hosting the finals of the six-nation tournament rugby union The United States will host the knockout rounds of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup tournament, organizers announced Wednesday, with three teams directly qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The tournament in August and September will feature Japan, Tonga, defending champion Fiji, Samoa, Canada and the United States with semifinals in Denver on September 14 and the final six days later in Salt Lake City, Utah. The USA, which is set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup, will also host a USA-Japan pool play match at Sacramento on September 6. "With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 inching closer, major event opportunities like the Pacific Nations Cup are key contributors in growing the American rugby fan base, engaging partners and raising the profile of our sport," USA Rugby chief executive officer Bill Goren said. "We have a lot to look forward to this fall as our men's Eagles target Rugby World Cup qualification in front of the home crowd." Teams are divided into Pool A, with Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, and Pool B with Canada, Japan and the USA with each nation assured one home match and at least three matches overall. "By balancing high-performance standards with financial, environmental, and logistical considerations, the PNC offers a model that supports the long-term health of our sport," World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said. Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The three other best finishers in the Pacific Nations Cup will also qualify for Australia with the last-place team to join a South America-Pacific playoff for a chance to reach the World Cup in two years. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USA hosts Pacific Nations Cup finals with eye to '27 Rugby World Cup
Fiji players, celebrating last year's Pacific Nations Cup title, will try and defend their crown in September, with the United States hosting the finals of the six-nation tournament (Philip FONG) The United States will host the knockout rounds of the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup tournament, organizers announced Wednesday, with three teams directly qualifying for the 2027 Australia Rugby World Cup. The tournament next August and September will feature Japan, Tonga, defending champion Fiji, Samoa, Canada and the United States with semi-finals in Denver on September 14 and the final six days later in Salt Lake City, Utah. Advertisement The USA, which is set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup, will also host a USA-Japan pool play match at Sacramento on September 6. "With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 inching closer, major event opportunities like the Pacific Nations Cup are key contributors in growing the American rugby fan base, engaging partners and raising the profile of our sport," USA Rugby chief executive officer Bill Goren said. "We have a lot to look forward to this fall as our men's Eagles target Rugby World Cup qualification in front of the home crowd." Teams are divided into Pool A, with Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, and Pool B with Canada, Japan and the USA with each nation assured one home match and at least three matches overall. Advertisement "By balancing high-performance standards with financial, environmental, and logistical considerations, the PNC offers a model that supports the long-term health of our sport," World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said. Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the 2027 Australia Rugby World Cup. The three other best finishers in the Pacific Nations Cup will also qualify for Australia with the last-place team to join a South America-Pacific playoff for a chance to reach the World Cup in two years. js/nr
France 24
07-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
USA hosts Pacific Nations Cup finals with eye to '27 Rugby World Cup
The tournament next August and September will feature Japan, Tonga, defending champion Fiji, Samoa, Canada and the United States with semi-finals in Denver on September 14 and the final six days later in Salt Lake City, Utah. The USA, which is set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup, will also host a USA-Japan pool play match at Sacramento on September 6. "With Rugby World Cups 2031 and 2033 inching closer, major event opportunities like the Pacific Nations Cup are key contributors in growing the American rugby fan base, engaging partners and raising the profile of our sport," USA Rugby chief executive officer Bill Goren said. "We have a lot to look forward to this fall as our men's Eagles target Rugby World Cup qualification in front of the home crowd." Teams are divided into Pool A, with Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, and Pool B with Canada, Japan and the USA with each nation assured one home match and at least three matches overall. "By balancing high-performance standards with financial, environmental, and logistical considerations, the PNC offers a model that supports the long-term health of our sport," World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said. Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the 2027 Australia Rugby World Cup. The three other best finishers in the Pacific Nations Cup will also qualify for Australia with the last-place team to join a South America-Pacific playoff for a chance to reach the World Cup in two years.
