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USA building 'depth and pressure' under Sione Fukofuka
By Joe Harvey
Sione Fukofuka knows his USA team must keep improving in 2025.
At the end of his first year in charge of the Women’s Eagles, the Australian is hoping for his team to keep progressing as they enter a Rugby World Cup year.
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Having been at the heart of the Wallaroos’ highest ever World Cup finish in 2022, as an assistant coach, he led his new team to three wins, a draw and five losses.
Awarding six players their international debuts, the 40-year-old has added plenty of depth to his squad in matches against South Africa and a two-Test series against Japan, which his team had just four days preparation for.
Already Fukofuka has managed the hurdles of such a unique position in world rugby.
Whether it is operating across such a vast country, with over 20 players plying their trade in Premiership Women’s Rugby or even further afield, it is a challenge he has taken head on.
“What I knew coming in is that I had a very experienced playing group which had potential,” Fukofuka said.
“Coaching against them I knew their strengths and some of the weaknesses that needed improving on, but if I’m honest I didn’t get the full comprehension of the challenge that comes with such a vast country.
“We are a fair way down the path to where we want to be, but we are still not where we would like to be.
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“What I have been super impressed with is that right from the outset I have got a playing group thirsty to be better and wanted to be better.
“What I was able to bring from the Australian programme is a fair bit of experience that aligned well with where the Eagles were.
“Obviously the 23 that gets selected for Test matches is important, but what we are chasing is depth in all of our positions.
“So, it is actually 35 to 40 players. That is important moving into the World Cup year so that we have depth and pressure in positions.”
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After wins against South Africa, Australia and Japan, the Eagles faced their biggest challenge of the year at WXV 1.
Three tests for Fukofuka’s squad were the final barometer for their season before entering a World Cup year.
Despite leaving Canada without a win or a point, there were plenty of positive signs in losses to England, France and Ireland.
Alev Kelter’s try against the Red Roses in their 61-21 defeat showed that the USA could unpick some of the best defences in the world, and close losses at the hands of France and Ireland left the side wondering ‘what if’ as encounters drifted away from them.
But despite negative results Fukofuka was able to notice a distinct attitude shift in his players, with performances suggesting that good things could be just around the corner.
“When WXV came around, we really enjoyed our approach and where we built to. But there were opportunities that we missed,” he said.
“What was pleasing was that as a collective, that disappointment says a lot about where we think we are and where we think we can be.
“One of the players shared with me after the France game – we lost by eight points, and I was disappointed because we were in positions to compete for the result – and one of the players made the comment that 12 months ago they would have been happy to turn up and compete. Not thinking that they could win.
“We are moving forward, but we are very aware of where we need to keep improving.
“We have had 13 months with consistent staff, a playing group that we have been able to introduce new players into.
“There is a real belief in the group that we are almost there, which is exciting going into 2025 because there are a few big games coming up.”
One of those big games is the Rugby World Cup opener.
Fukofuka watched along with the rest of the world as the Eagles were drawn with England in the same pool and then as the tournament opener next August at the Stadium of Light.
Pool matches will then see the 40-year-old pitted as opposition with the Wallaroos and take on the ever-improving Samoa at York Community Stadium.
“We are in a pretty tough pool,” Fukofuka stated. “England are world No1s; Australia are world No5 and Samoa are such a physical team who will be more threatening with more time together.
“The opportunity to play England in front of such an immense crowd and know what we are facing, with 10 months to prepare for it, is exciting.”
The Australian is also hoping for a repeat of the tournament opener two years ago.
Coaching the Wallaroos, Fukofuka watched on from the sideline as his team scored three early tries and set a cat amongst the pigeons at Eden Park.
“What I remember distinctly, and this is something I hope to achieve as a team in England, is when the crowd went quiet,” he grinned.
“Everybody was there supporting the Black Ferns, and we were able to quieten them for a bit.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity for the US to be their best and to go out there and really play with some freedom. The reality is that there isn’t a lot of pressure on us.”
Even before the World Cup draw it already felt like a significant year for women’s rugby in the USA.
With Women’s Elite Rugby having its inaugural season starting in the spring, some 180 players will be paid to play for the first time and set the foundations for long-term professional women’s rugby in the States.
For much of the past five years the domestic game in America has been a pay-to-play model, with players funding their own rugby journeys, with the only way to be a professional being contracted to Emilie Bydwell’s sevens side or moving abroad, while the player-established XV Foundation has also helped subsidise athletes.
With players from PWR expected to join the competition after the English domestic season concludes in March, it means that even more of the core playing group will be on home soil with time to spare before the Pacific Four Series and World Cup camps.
But when the squad does gather, there could be a returning face.
More than three years on from winning her last XVs cap, Ilona Maher has signed with Bristol Bears in PWR on a three-month contract in the aim of representing her country at a 15-a-side World Cup for the first time.
It is a move that started far before the 28-year-old’s bronze medal win, when Fukofuka reached out to the sevens squad to see which players could be available in 2025.
Maher demands an entirely different level of stardom to any other rugby player in the world thanks to her millions of social media followers and after finishing second on Dancing with the Stars signed a short-term deal with the West Country club.
With her every minute on the pitch due to be scrutinised and poured over, Maher’s arrival at last season’s PWR runners-up will see her play under Dave Ward and Tom Luke, playing alongside the likes of Jasmine Joyce and Millie David.
“She is going to a very competitive environment and even to make the team will be competing against established internationals,” Fukofuka said.
“We are looking for Ilona to be herself and express herself as that physical player who is skilful and can have an impact on the momentum of the game.
“I don’t think that will be a surprise for anyone and I am excited with the conversations that we have had.
“She is very aware that first and foremost she has got to make the team to then join us on that journey to the World Cup.”
Maher’s potential arrival into Fukofuka’s squad is just a microcosm of where the team is.
There are spots in the matchday 23 available for selection. It is a team with a renewed mentality. Players will have a run-up like no other thanks to WER and the Pacific Four Series.
At this time it does feel like anything is possible for this group of Eagles who look ready to make the leap after a promising 2024.
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