USA Women’s Rugby World Cup 1991 Champions Reunite at Atlanta 7s

April 7, 2016

USA Women’s Rugby World Cup 1991 Champions Reunite at Atlanta 7s

Photo: Ann Barford – USA Women’s Eagles Rugby 1991 Rugby World Cup Championship team, in Cardiff, Wales

Doug Coil

The initial Women’s Rugby World Cup was held in Wales April 6-14, 1991 when 12 teams vied for the title. The Final held in Cardiff and featured England and the United States. The teams that failed to qualify for the semi-finals took part in a Plate tournament between April 11-13.

The winners of each of the four Pools met in the Cup Semi-finals, while the other eight teams competed for the Plate.

Pool 1:                             Won Draw Lost PF      PA

• New Zealand   2        0         0     48      14
• Canada             0        1          1      17      33
• Wales               0        1          1      15      33
• April 6 New Zealand 24-8 Canada
• April 8 Wales 9-9 Canada
• April 10 Wales 6-24 New Zealand

Pool 2:                             Won Draw Lost PF      PA

• France              2        0         0     99      0
• Sweden            1        0         1      20      37
• Japan               0       0         2       0       82
• April 6 France 62-0 Japan
• April 8 France 37-0 Sweden
• April 10 Japan 0-20 Sweden

Pool 3:                             Won Draw Lost PF      PA

• USA                  2        0         0     53       0
• Netherlands    1        0          1     28       7
• Soviet Union   0        0         2      0      74
• April 6 Netherlands 0-7 USA
• April 8 Netherlands 28-0 Soviet Union
• April 10 USA 46-0 Soviet Union

Pool 4:                             Won Draw Lost PF      PA

• England              2        0         0     37       9
• Spain                   1        0         1      13      19
• Italy                     0       0         2      16      25
• April 6 England 12-0 Spain
• April 8 England 25-9 Italy
• April 10 Italy 7-13 Spain

Plate Quarter-finals April 11

• Canada 38-0 Soviet Union
• Italy 18-0 Sweden
• Wales 3-6 Netherlands
• Japan 0-30 Spain

Plate Semi-Finals April 12

• Canada 6-0 Italy
• Netherlands 0-8 Spain

Cup Semi-Finals April 12

• New Zealand 0-7 USA
• England 13-0 France

Plate Final April 13: Canada 19-4 Spain

3rd Place – Officially shared between France and New Zealand

• An unofficial match between France and New Zealand was held April 14 and is not regarded as a test match. While France awarded caps for their players, New Zealand did not, as they played with players that had not played many games in the tournament.

Cup Final April 14 England 6-19 USA

USA Women’s Eagles: Ann Barford, Barb Bond (Capt), Tam Breckenridge, Patty Connell, Jen Crwford, MAry Dixey, Colleen Fahey, Tara Flanagan, Annie Flavin, Kathy Flores, Barb Fugate, Claire Godwin, Chris Harju, Tracy Henderson, Jennifer Hertz, Elise Huffer, Sheri Hunt, Patty Jervey, Cassie Law, Krista McFarren, Sandy Meredith, Andi Morrell, Joan Morrissey, Candi Orsini, Jan Rutkowski, Cathy Seabaugh, Maryanne Sorenson, Mary Sullivan, Val Sullivan, Julie Thompson, Morgan Whitehead – Coaches: Kevin O’Brien, Chris Leach

USA Rugby Trust

“Women’s rugby has been played in the United States for nearly half a century and this year the 1991 Women’s Eagles celebrate the 25th anniversary as World Champions at the first women’s rugby world cup in 1991!

In their honor we’re raising funds to support the USA Rugby Women’s 7s program as they head to Atlanta for their final home tournament before the Rio Olympics.”

Please help support these talented non-salaried athletes by making a gift here:

djcoilrugby.com