By Jonathan Bowen
In a game both sides really wanted to win for very different reasons, Canada showed why they are considered a favorite to win the tournament with a bonus point win over the USA 29 – 14. This was the fifth time in a row the Canadian side had beaten the USA team however this game proved that the skill gap between the two sides is narrowing.
The Canadians started strongly, scoring the first two tries of the game. Canada’s first try was scored through their reliable rolling maul move. The team took possession of the ball from a line out 15 meters from the try line and from there the rest was predictable. Canada’s second try was scored after a brilliant run from Alysha Corrigan, who received a pass inside her own half and ran at the USA defensive line where she was able to shrug off a tackle and run into free space. Alysha was tackled 10 meters from the try line and after some heavy pushing and shoving by the Canadian front row pack trying to push their way over the line, the ball was then passed through two sets of hands where it found Alex Tressier in space to score an easy try.
Alev Kelter would bring the score back to 12-7 by scoring arguably the best try of the game with individual brute strength. Alev received a pass less than ten meters from the try line charging through a defender and powering through with the defender hanging off her like a rag doll to cross the line and score the try. She even managed to convert her own try.
The USA started to up their game after the Alev try. The team held possession of the ball for longer periods of time and a brilliant kick for touch by Alev from inside her own half bringing the play to within thirty meters of the try line showed the USA team meant business.
The USA were given a penalty from the subsequent line out however Gabby Cantorna’s inability to kick the ball into touch for a USA line out was a moment that swung the momentum of the game back towards Canada.
Once Canada had avoided conceding another try, the team kicked back into gear with phase after phase of continued possession play. This led to a great try being scored down the wing by Paige Ferris. Throughout this tournament Paige has proven she doesn’t need a lot of space to be effective and punish those teams that aren’t awake to her turn of speed. That was the last score of the half and Canada went into the break with a 19-7 lead.
The USA started the second half with fire and passion in their play. They outplayed Canada in the first ten minutes and looked for all money to have scored a try in the 55th minute. However, an off the ball tackle from USA player Evelyn Ashenbrucker who impeded the Canadian defender from moving to tackle the USA player passing the ball was enough to overrule the try. That decision swung the momentum of the game back towards Canada.
Canada would use the momentum they built to punish the USA side for their inability to convert their possession play into points. Canada would score two more tries to finish off the game although the yellow card issued to Kate Zackery in the 76th minute did the USA side no favors in chasing the game at the death.
The lesson learnt by the USA in this game is that if they are to defeat Canada in the quarterfinal next weekend, they need to convert their chances into points. Too many times the USA had possession of the ball and either through bad kicking or bad play management couldn’t make Canada pay for their mistakes. There will be no room for second place in next week’s game as we march towards the Final.
In the other major games of the tournament, New Zealand secured the top seed position for the quarterfinals when Wayne Smith fielded a much-changed Blackferns team against Scotland. The Blackferns, even with all the changes to their starting side, managed to easily account for Scotland 57-0 which was a clear indication of the difference in the depth of talent between the two sides.
England easily accounted for South Africa in their final pool game 75–0. This meant that New Zealand, England, and Canada become the only unbeaten sides through the group stages. Canada and New Zealand were the only teams to score maximum try bonus points in each of the pool games.
An injury depleted France team secured their place in the quarterfinals with a 44–0 win against Fiji. Italy, the surprise packet of the tournament so far also secured a place with a solid win against Japan 21–8.
Australia secured their place in the knockout phase with a tough win against Wales. Wales was the last team to qualify thanks to their win against Scotland earlier in the tournament.
So, the quarterfinals next week look like this: France v Italy, New Zealand v Wales, England v Australia and live next Saturday night on NBC Peacock, USA v Canada. This game will be a must watch event and I will be in New Zealand to cover the game exclusively for the Irish Examiner USA. So, look out for next week’s edition for all the behind the scenes’ photos and post-match press conference wraps ups from each of the games.
In other rugby news, the USA Eagles men’s rugby team played the South African provincial side the Pumas over the weekend losing 33–15. The match was another warm-up game in preparation for the final Rugby World Cup Qualification tournament which kicks off in Dubai UAE on November 6th. The USA Eagles will gain a lot from the game as they managed to score two tries in the last ten minutes. That sort of resilience will be what’s needed if they expect to take the last spot at the World Cup.
Munster played Leinster over the weekend in the URC tournament at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. In what was an improved performance by Munster the team still lost 27–13. Munster will take heart from their performance given their injury depleted squad and the inconsistent performances of late, however even with all these issues Leinster were still able to show Munster who is the boss of Irish provincial rugby now.
If you want to keep up to date with all the latest rugby news you can find me on Instagram @jb052006 or and at twitter@Jonatha25906847.
Until next time.