Top Women's Rugby Players Brave Stormy Weather at Pacific Four Series in Sacramento

The annual tournament featuring teams from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. went on despite heavy rain and lightning.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:55pm

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One of the world's largest women's rugby events, the Pacific Four Series, took over Sacramento this past weekend. Top athletes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States competed in the tournament, which saw heavy rain and lightning storms that temporarily halted play. Despite the inclement weather, fans remained enthusiastic and supportive, celebrating the growth of women's sports.

Why it matters

The Pacific Four Series is a major international women's rugby competition that showcases the sport's rising popularity and the continued progress of gender equity in athletics. The event's ability to draw top talent and passionate fans to Sacramento underscores rugby's expanding foothold, especially among women, in the U.S. sports landscape.

The details

The tournament featured matches between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. Play was disrupted when a thunderstorm rolled through the area, forcing a 30-minute delay. Despite the rain and lightning, fans remained engaged, with one New Zealand supporter saying 'rain or shine, we'll be there to watch rugby.' In the end, New Zealand's Black Ferns defeated the U.S. team 48-15 before the game was called due to the weather.

  • The Pacific Four Series took place on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in Sacramento, California.
  • A 30-minute lightning delay halted play during the tournament.

The players

Teresa Wright

A fan who attended the event to support Team USA.

Kacee Klyne

A fan who attended the event to support Team USA.

Claire Czap

A player for the Life University rugby team who competed in the tournament.

Salote Naikau

A fan of the New Zealand Black Ferns who attended the event.

Abby Vogel

A player for the Bay Breakers, who were at the event to promote their first season.

Nikki Lynch

A player for the Bay Breakers, who were at the event to promote their first season.

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What they’re saying

“'You thought there was a storm out there? Well, there's a storm here,'”

— Kacee Klyne, Fan

“'It's a great sport to be a part of. A lot of teamwork. I've learned so many things from being a part of this sport and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.'”

— Claire Czap, Life University rugby player

“'If it were just rain, we would have continued play, but because like there was lightning, we had to do like a lightning warning, like a lightning break, which is 30 minutes.'”

— Claire Czap, Life University rugby player

“'Nah, no we were expecting full-on mud and there's no mud, but we're ready for it here. We got jackets, etc.'”

— Teresa Wright and Kacee Klyne, Fans

“'When we heard about the forecast, that it's going to rain, I said rain or shine will be there to watch rugby.'”

— Salote Naikau, New Zealand Black Ferns fan

What’s next

The Pacific Four Series will continue its 2026 season with upcoming matches in other cities across the western United States.

The takeaway

The Pacific Four Series showcased the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's rugby, with passionate fans braving stormy weather to support their national teams. The event highlighted rugby's expanding foothold in the U.S. sports landscape and the continued progress of gender equity in athletics.