Kirshe's double keeps USA perfect in Bordeaux as Eagles edge Canada 33-22

USA captain Kristi Kirshe delivered a match-winning double as the Women’s Eagles defeated Canada 33-22 in a fiercely contested Pool C clash at Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux on Saturday, preserving their unbeaten record at HSBC SVNS Bordeaux and securing top spot in the group.

The result sets up a quarter-final meeting with host nation France, with a place in the semi-finals at stake. It was the standout fixture of the second day in Bordeaux — two North American rivals, both undefeated heading in, colliding in what Kirshe described as one of the most physical matches on the calendar.

“Both teams get up for it equally high every time we play each other and I think everyone feeds into it,” Kirshe told RugbyPass in Bordeaux. “It’s a pretty even rivalry. We go back and forth and it’s always one of our most physical games so we definitely get up for it.”

Canada were far from outclassed. Charity Williams continued her impressive form with a brace, and 2025 Rugby World Cup standout Asia Hogan-Rochester also crossed, but the Eagles did enough to pull clear by 11 points.

Kirshe was equally candid about where her side’s game still needs to improve. “We’ve been growing all year… but we knew this weekend was going to feel hard. Two back-to-back tournaments, so coming out yesterday we were lucky to come out with two wins but I don’t think we played the type of rugby that we know we can play. Coming in today, it was really just about delivering a performance that we can be proud of.”

Elsewhere in the pool stage, World Championship leaders Australia charged through with a perfect 3-0 record and a staggering +78 points differential, while New Zealand’s Black Ferns Sevens — led by tries from Katelyn Vahaakolo and Risi Pouri-Lane — also advanced with an unblemished group stage.

The USA arrive in Bordeaux with genuine momentum. Last weekend at SVNS Valladolid they defeated Australia in the group stage — a result that underlines their status as the only team this season to have beaten both of the circuit’s top two sides. They also downed the Black Ferns Sevens in Dubai earlier in the year.

Ariana Ramsey has been nominated for World Rugby’s Sevens Player of the Year, and Tahna Wifley is in contention for SVNS Rookie of the Year — recognition that reflects a squad that finished the regular season third overall and continues to mature.

“So much belief. This group is growing together,” Kirshe said. “Coming into this year we’re a pretty young team and I think that we’ve built together all year.”