Tafuna hat-trick propels USA to 26-24 WXV win over Wales at Cardiff Arms Park
Freda Tafuna scored a hat-trick as the United States defeated Wales 26-24 at Cardiff Arms Park in WXV on 26 September 2026, the match ending in a narrow two-point margin.
Tafuna, who had been a standout in USA's victory over Ireland the previous week, finished with three tries for the visitors while Erica Coulibaly also crossed; Wales replied with tries from Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Alex Callender with Freya Bell credited with two conversions in the match summary. The hosts, who had earlier looked fluent in a win over South Africa, struggled with handling errors and discipline in Cardiff. The Eagles dominated the second half and their winning streak extended to three games, while Wales face a trip to Japan next month.
Former Wales hooker Jonathan Humphreys saw his USA pack create the platform for the opening score as Tafuna broke through a determined defence for the first try. Wales failed to settle early, their game disrupted by handling errors and indiscipline that prevented sustained pressure. A knock-on led directly to Tafuna's second try, and although replays showed Emily Henrich obstructed a defender the referee Amber McLachlan allowed the score to stand.
Wales responded when co-captain Kate Williams produced a clean line break and, after Amy Williams threatened down the wing, the ball was recycled inside for Bevan to finish despite a tap tackle. Wales were unable to retain momentum after the restart; a knock-on handed possession back to the USA and the ball found the pacy Coulibaly who scored. Wales appealed for a yellow card for a high tackle on Tuipulotu but were awarded only a penalty, which Lleucu George kicked to touch.
The Welsh pack produced quality from a drive to power hooker K Jones over the line, and later a penalty allowed the forwards to carry deep into USA territory before Tuipulotu bulldozed over for her third try in two games. Freya Bell's conversion hit the post which looked to have given USA a two-point lead at the break, but George then put in a grubber kick that pegged the visitors back. Wales won the turnover from line-out ball and Callender took the quick ball to score, leaving Wales ahead at the interval.
Keira Bevan returned to the scrum-half role this week after playing at 10 against South Africa, but Wales' hopes after the break were short-lived as Tafuna powered over early for her third of the afternoon. That score restored a two-point lead for the USA which they retained as the visitors dominated the second half. Wales were starved of possession and territory, with both scrum and line-out under pressure and the back line unable to move the ball freely despite support from a crowd of 3,367.
Wales named Neumann; Cox, Keight, Bell, A Williams; George, Bevan; Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Evans, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King. Replacements: Reardon, Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, Aiono, S Jones, De Vera, Prothero. USA named Canett; Uhatafe, Henrich, Vogel, Coulibaly; Mason, Paton; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu-Senele, Taufoou, Ehrecke, Humphreys, Perris-Redding (co-capt), Tafuna. Replacements: Hill-Huse, Leatherman, Woods, Jarrell-Searcy (co-capt), Bailey, Bargell, Howard, Hann.
The result sends the USA on to home fixtures against Italy and world champions England, while Wales must regroup before their trip to Japan next month.
