Sharks star Georgie says USA can rule the world
SALE flanker Georgie Perris-Redding claims there is nothing stopping the USA from winning the World Cup this autumn.
USA won the World Cup in its inaugural edition in 1991 before claiming backto-back runners-up medals in 1994 and 1998. They then suffered a dip but finished the last tournament in 2017 in fourth place.
Perris-Redding, 25, made her USA debut in the Pacific Four Series in New Zealand last month in a 36-5 loss to Canada. Despite the torrential rain she was honoured to earn her first international cap and sees a bright future for the side.
She said: “The game didn’t go our way but it was an amazing experience. I’ve never played in such torrential rain before and that says a lot coming from England! I thought we played well considering the time we had together before that wasn’t much.”
The defeat to Canada was followed by a 50-6 reverse by world champions New Zealand but Perris-Redding believes the 16-14 win over Australia shows the quality that USA possess.
She said: “Going to Pac Four was a fantastic marker for the team and showed where we’re at, with the work on’s going into the summer and in the training camps.
“The USA have an extraordinary number of talented players and I think we can be a really competitive team. I don’t think there’s anything stopping us from winning the World Cup.
“We really made a statement against Australia and with our camp before the World Cup we can work out all the things we need to prepare. We can definitely become competitive and one of the best teams in the world.”
Perris-Redding enjoyed a standout season at Sale, making 18 appearance and scoring two tries. Sale finished ninth, but it was Perris-Redding’s performances in a Sale shirt that earned her with international recognition.
“I’ve made huge developments this season, still only being relatively new to back row as I’ve only played there for two seasons,” said the former centre/wing. “It’s been a big learning curve and have loved how I’ve gone on to the USA radar.
“Rob Kate who’s the head coach has been a great help for me as well in terms of my development and helping take me to the next level. I’m really enjoying the process and I can’t say I score many, but I do enjoy it when I score one.”
Perris-Redding is relising life in the Premier 15s and believes the standard of the competition grows year on year.
She added: “By far it is the most competitive league for women’s rugby in the world. It has the highest standard of players and it adds a level of professionalism which I don’t think other countries have been able to keep up with yet, which hopefully they do. The Prem is by far in a league of its own.
“The scary thing is that it’s only touching the surface. The Premier 15s have set a standard to what women’s rugby can look like. It helps that USA have numerous players in the Premier 15s learning and advancing their games.”