The Eagles knew heading into their match against New Zealand that not only would they need a win but they would also need help elsewhere. Unfortunately for them results earlier in the day meant that both the Black Ferns and the Eagles were eliminated before the match began. Despite that news both teams played hard in a fantastic match but in the end the quality of New Zealand was too much as they won 34-3.
The U.S. came out on the front foot and earned a penalty early. However, signaling their intentions on the day the Eagles elected to go for the scrum rather than the long penalty. They would keep possession and a few minutes later had their first real opportunity. Unfortunately they would be judged to be off their feet five meters short killing the opportunity.
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After that opening scare the Black Ferns settled down and began to impose themselves. Only a few minutes later they had their first try of the day when Huriana Manuel scored in the corner. That lead would almost double just a few minutes later when Renee Wickliffe scored in the opposite corner. Both tries came from simple overlap play and finding the gaps the Eagles had created. New Zealand also did well at the breakdown where they stole the ball on numerous occasions. With the tries New Zealand led 12-0 after 14 minutes.
Things got worse for the U.S. around the 20 minute mark when captain Kate Daley was ruled out with what looked like a broken leg. Daley had been one of the best Eagles at the tournament and her loss was a big blow to the team.
Rather than feeling down about Daley's loss the Eagles actually gained territory and possession in the next ten minutes but a series of scrums slowed down the play preventing either side from getting much going. New Zealand were also fantastic and holding up the U.S. players and creating turnovers.
As the first half wore down the U.S. ramped up its pressure on New Zealand. Jillion Potter had a shout for a try denied after it was judged she was just short of the line. Fortunately for the Eagles New Zealand had committed a penalty, and were subsequently warned by the referee, allowing the U.S. to keep pressing. But it wasn't to be as New Zealand once again stole the ball and cleared.
The second half started with the U.S. continuing to press the Black Ferns. Several players tried to claim tries but couldn't get the signal from the referee. However, the pressure did cause New Zealand into one too many infringements leading the referee having no choice but to give them a yellow card. Despite the advantage the Eagles still couldn't punch through. Eventually they settled for a Rozier penalty to make it 12-3 with 52 minutes gone.
Settling for the three points seemed to take the energy out of the Eagles at the same time New Zealand turned it on. Soon the floodgates opened for New Zealand. Manuel scored her second of the day and then Kendra Cocksedge and Wickliffe, also her second, scored just minutes apart to ballon the lead to 29-3. The match settled down after that with both teams not finding much going on offense. New Zealand did get a last try from Justine Lavea to make the final 34-3.
The Eagles will now move to the 5th-8th place round. Seeding for that will be determined after the final match of the day. Although they failed to reach their semi-final goal the Eagles did play well in pool play. They took top seeded Ireland to the edge, blew out Kazakhstan, and then held New Zealand close for over a half. There is still plenty of play for so the team needs to regroup, especially from the loss of captain Daley, and focus on once again finishing 5th.