As much as early season victories over New Zealand, Canada and France have given the USA Eagles a real boost, it is a deeper, more profound change that is getting star playmaker Sariah Ibarra really excited.
“New generations are starting to flow into the team which shows a new depth that USA rugby has,” Ibarra said ahead of the third leg of the HSBC SVNS Series, starting on 31 January in Singapore. “It’s the first wave of fresh young girls who know the game of rugby inside out and are not just pure athletes. They are rugby athletes.”
This is a major step forwards for a nation that is still somewhat of a toddler in rugby terms.
The bronze medal the women’s sevens side won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, combined with Rugby World Cup 2025, and the on and off-pitch exploits of Ilona Maher et al have created a longed-for virtuous circle of interest, growth and development.
For Ibarra, a rugby fanatic since she discovered the game aged eight, it is heaven.
“When we get on the field it really shows, USA doesn’t just have power and athletes, now we have playmakers, people with different skills,” she said. “I would say we are a cool group and we’re developing into something really great.”
‘Diverse skills’
Boasting a young squad — Ibarra at 20 and in just her second year on the SVNS tour considers herself a veteran — the USA Eagles are playing differently this season, under head coach Emilie Bydwell.
“We have a system that we’ve implemented where everyone’s strengths are valued and skillsets are valued,” Ibarra explained. “We have a very diverse group and we all have very diverse skills.
“We’re just a more, not versatile, but more adaptable team. We can now adapt to play different styles of rugby; we’re not stuck to one structure. We can adjust and play on top and we can play with pace and we can play with stepping and skill and play-making, instead of just, ‘OK we have bash and crash every single game’.”
‘Tournament in the States is huge’
Ibarra, who made her debut at 19 for both the USA sevens and XVs, cannot wait to show it all off to her compatriots later this season.
“It was nice when [the SVNS tour stop in the USA] was in LA because it was in my own backyard,” the California native laughed. “But we have a lot of girls from the East coast area, so having a tournament in New York is really nice. It’s going to help our sport in that area and just having a tournament in the States is huge for us.”
Ibarra and teammates kick-started their season with that magical pool-stage 21-17 victory over defending SVNS series and Grand Final winners New Zealand in Dubai. It was a first win over the world’s number one side for six years and something the USA had “been working at”.
Only a damaging opening defeat to Fiji stopped the USA Eagles from climbing higher than fifth place in the tournament.
They went one better in Cape Town, and Ibarra is expecting the trend to continue.
“I’m really excited,” Ibarra said. “We’re building. Singapore and Australia (in Perth) is going to be a build, and then by the time we get to Canada (Vancouver) and New York, I think we're going to be really wowing some of our fans.”
‘42-year-old in 20-year-old’s body’
It was nearly all so different for Ibarra. After heading to New Zealand for the final throes of high school, she played for the Black Ferns’ U18 sevens side, alongside the likes of Braxton Sorensen-McGee. At one stage, it looked like the duo might be teammates for many years to come.
“It was a really tough decision,” Ibarra said of her call to choose the chance to represent the USA over New Zealand.
“But as an American I really wanted to make rugby great and I wanted people to know that you don't have to leave the country, your own country, to go find good rugby. The USA has great rugby.”
Picked in the matchday 23 for the USA’s opening day match against hosts England at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Ibarra has never regretted her choice. She now revels in the chance to hand on the many experiences she has garnered, in a short time, to as many young Americans as she can.
“A lot of the girls, they say, I’m a 42-year-old trapped in a 20-year-old’s body,” Ibarra laughed. “I guess I have got a lot of experience.
“Playing at the Women’s Rugby World Cup really opened my eyes to the fact that not a lot of people get these opportunities, and you really need to enjoy and take in all the moments.”
Despite all the great stuff in-between, Ibarra is well aware that the “greatest moment” will come in her home city in two-and-a-half years.
“It's always in the back of my mind, like every single time I come to work and come on the field,” Ibarra said of her team’s plan to peak at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“It’s a home tournament for me, straight in my back yard and I just come to training every morning (thinking) alright, today’s the day to get closer to winning a gold medal.”