High school rivals Bella Vogel and Nina Mason now drive USA Eagles' five-match winning run

Bella Vogel and Nina Mason spent their teenage years trying to get the better of each other on Pennsylvania club pitches — Vogel for Doylestown, Mason for Knightmares Rugby. These days, they are the engine of a USA Eagles side that has won five matches in a row and is preparing to host world champions England for the first time on home soil in seven years.

“I was not a fan of Nina. It was hard because she was just really good,” Vogel laughs. Mason is equally candid: “It was not fun when we were playing against each other.” The rivalry dissolved once both players enrolled at Life University in Marietta, Georgia, where they were paired as a 10-12 axis — a combination that has since carried over into the Eagles set-up.

“Now, it’s good,” says Vogel. “It’s great we’re together on the same team.”

The mood in the USA camp has been lifted further by individual recognition. Vogel, 19, became the first American player nominated for World Rugby’s Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year award — news delivered by head coach Jack Hanratty during a team meeting that Vogel describes as one of the most memorable moments of her life.

“I was in shock,” she admits. “One of the best surprises I’ve ever had in my whole life. They all just stood up and came over, and I just love this team so much. My heart was beating so fast. I can’t even explain it. It was even cooler almost than the award, having all of them there.”

A goalkicking centre with sharp acceleration, Vogel made her Eagles debut in April and has been a consistent presence since. She is also thinking beyond personal accolades. “I’m hoping that it starts more awards for this team, because so many players on our team deserve awards. I’m shocked that it hasn’t happened before.”

Mason’s international journey began more recently, with her debut arriving in September during the USA’s win over Ireland. Watching Vogel break into the squad first only sharpened her own ambition. “I was really happy for Bella, but honestly, it just kind of made me want it more, too. We kind of have a good competition going in practice and we make each other better, I think.”

Their routes into rugby differed slightly. Vogel’s parents spotted an advert for a rugby camp and signed her up; she was immediately hooked. Mason came to the sport through family — her father and grandfather both played — though her introduction was unconventional. “He didn’t take me to the high school practice — he took me to the women’s practice,” she recalls. “I said I didn’t like it, and he was like, ‘no, it’s fine, you’re just gonna keep trying.’” The rest, as their current form suggests, is history.