Tafuna hat-trick lifts USA to 26-24 WXV victory over Wales

Freda Tafuna scored three tries as the United States beat Wales 26-24 at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday in the WXV Global Series. BBC Sport reported that the Eagles overturned a 24-21 half-time deficit and kept Wales scoreless after the interval to secure a third consecutive victory.

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Tafuna crossed twice in the first half, while Erica Coulibaly also scored for the visitors. Wales responded through Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Alex Callender to take the lead into the break. Freya Bell converted two Welsh tries, while the USA's Vogel landed three conversions across the match, providing the difference between teams that each scored four tries.

Tafuna's third try early in the second half restored the American lead. Wales then struggled for possession and territory, with problems at both scrum and line-out preventing a sustained response. BBC Sport reported an attendance of 3,367 for a match that ultimately ended in a two-point defeat for the hosts.

Wales had approached the fixture after a 50-19 victory over South Africa in their series opener. According to the Welsh Rugby Union's team announcement, head coach Sean Lynn retained the same starting pack for the American challenge. Tuipulotu had scored twice against South Africa, while Jones and Maisie Davies completed the front row selected for both games.

There was also a milestone for second row Georgia Evans, who was named to make her 50th Wales appearance after debuting against Spain in 2019. The WRU paired her with Branwen Metcalfe in the second row. Callender and Kate Williams shared the captaincy, with Bryonie King completing the back row. Carys Cox returned from injury to start on the wing.

The WRU had identified the scale of the challenge before kick-off: the United States were ranked sixth in the world, five places above Wales, and arrived after beating Ireland in Dublin. Wales' programme also includes two WXV Tests in Japan, giving Lynn's squad further opportunities to develop after their contrasting home results.