- Hoping to make up for their monumental defeat, Kazakhstan took to the field against the United States, who were looking to avenge their narrow defeat to the Irish last match. It was the Kazakhstan ladies who struck first blood, fly-half Yakovleva rushing up to intercept a loose pass to then sprint in from 50 yards, narrowly avoid the cover tackle. It wasn't long before America struck back - twice in quick succession - using intelligent running lines and slick hands to move the ball out wide and around the Kazakh defence, allowing each wing to open their accounts for the game. And it was winger Nathalie Marchino, who's powerful cutting run and subtle offload which allowed the USA to score their third try just before the break - Hooker, Wagner diving over from close range. But poor goal kicking meant the American's only lead 15-7 at the break. The bonus point wasn't long coming and three minutes into the second half, forward power blew open the Kazakhstan defensive line, and support from fly-half Stolba meant a fourth try underneath the posts. America didn't stop there and despite their famous forward power, kept looking to spread the ball wide early, finishing with eight tries in total and leaving them on 6 points in the pool.
Final Score: USA 47 - Kazakhstan 7
- Second game of the day pitched Australia against the Welsh, who were desperate for win to keep their play-off hopes alive. However it was Australia leading from the front early on, a penalty three minutes into the game gave them the lead, before a controlled 5m scrum gave the Wallabies good attacking ball and a hard powerful run from centre Williams took her over the try line. Australia's second try had the same feeling of ease as the first one, a scything run took the backline through the Welsh tacklers before two beautiful passes put the right-winger Brown in for an easy touchdown, for a 17-0 lead at half time. In the second half a first phase back's move allowed Australia to spread the ball across the pitch quickly to put Brown outside the cover tackles and into the corner for her second try. A penalty half way through the second period gave Wales fan's something to cheer for, but it was cancelled out by a late kick by Australia. The result drops Wales from the tournament, while Australia sit with 8 points - after failing to obtain the bonus points in both of their games.
Final Score: Australia 25 - Wales 3
- Next up England looked to continue their form against minnows Spain, but it took almost 20 minutes for the first score to be recorded, after a lot of ball retention England fly-half Ceri Large poked a grubber through, with winger Kay Wilson grounding the bouncing ball in the corner. England seemed to be taking the game easy, with Spain proving difficult opponents to break down, as it took another 13 minutes for Englands next score - centre Scarratt knocking over a penalty. It wasn't until practically the last play of the first half that England recorded their second try, a fantastic solo effort from nothing by fullback - Danielle Waterman - accelerating her way through a tight Spanish defence, and stepping past the fullback to dot the ball down underneath the posts for a half time scoreline of 17-0. England found their form in the second half, a try for replacement hooker Keates came from a lovely string of quick soft hands from the England forwards, and five minutes later England rounded of the bonus point. The pack were not to be out done for try of the game by Waterman however, a dummy maul set up from a lineout, allowed flanker Packer to take a wide pass from the scrumhalf and being a storming run, handing off numerous Spanish wannabe tacklers on her way to the try-line. Spain eventually found the try line, after hard graft from their forwards a penalty was awarded by the referee, tapped quickly, then a dummy allowed fly-half Bravo to bundle her way over the try-line. The England pack had the last words of the game however, forming and reforming a driving maul against a tired Spanish outfit, allowing Packer to score her second try of the game.
Final Score: England 45 - Spain 5
[Again apologise blogger not finding this video: England 45-5 Spain at Women's Rugby World Cup]
- In the other game from Pool A, a strong Canada team were looking to head into their final pool stage game with two wins, while the Samoan women were hoping to make up for their thorough defeat by England last game. Canada struck first, two good "off the toe" pickups, lead to No. 13 Marchack busting through a weak Samoan tackle (something I never thought I'd say), to finish underneath the posts. Some quick recycling and slick hands lead to Canadian winger Brittany Waters scoring their second in the corner. A sloppy pass, followed by an audaciously large dummy from fullback Alarie sent her scampering away for 21-0 half time scoreline. Canada's bonus point try came from utter faith in their attacking ability, winning a penalty on their own 5m line; they took it quickly and spread it even quicker. Centre, Burk breaking away from her 22 before the Canadian backline showed lines of support and passing skills more accustomed to the 7's version of the game to release number 9 Bernier for the try - 2 minutes into the half. Samoa's only try came through typical South Sea Islander methods, using large crash balls to batter their way through the opposition defence. Canada refused to let the game slip from their grasp however, a half break from replacement Zussman, allowed winger Waters to score her second try, and Zussman was the crux again for the final try of the game, a simple switch with her inside centre allowed Burk to crash through and over the white-wash.
Final Score: Canada 42 - Samoa 7
- The biggest game of the day was the match-up between reigning champions New Zealand and the women from Ireland. The Black Ferns drew first blood, fly-half Brazier taking a 3 point opportunity; they also claimed the first try of the game. Good work from lock Patea won a turnover for the Ferns, who in typical New Zealand fashion capitalised, spreading the ball quickly outside the recovering defence to allow fullback Winiata in at the corner. Ireland brought the game to back within a score, with constant battering from the forwards on the New Zealand try line, before finally No. 8 O'Brien got the ball over the line for a half time scoreboard to read 8-7 to the champions. New Zealand extended their lead with another Brazier penalty early in the 2nd half, but a loose kick allowed the Irish fullback to steam through the New Zealand chasers on the counter-attack, and then setting winger Alison Miller away down the touchline to beat the cover defence and take Ireland into the lead for the first time. A third penalty for the Ferns brought them back level heading into the final 15 minutes of the game. A penalty from Irish fullback Briggs from out wide gave the lead back to the team in green, who then closed out the game camped in the New Zealand 22 to be the first team to beat the Black Ferns in a World Cup for over a decade, and to put Ireland in command of Pool B
Final Score: New Zealand 14 - Ireland 17
- The host nation played last again, against a South African team who had lost their opening game to Australia. The power of the France pack was obvious from the outset of the match, the first try coming from a dominant scrum sending the South African's reeling, allowing No. 8 N'Diaye to ground the ball with ease. France soon scored their second try, the referee awarding a penalty try from another powerful French scrum as the South African's collapsed yet again. France scored their third of the night after some gorgeous offloading and interplay by the French back-line, finally finishing off with strong close range pick-and-go's in the corner. The fourth - and bonus point - try was a lot easier to come by, a simple crash ball from first phase sent the huge second row Koita over the line. France rounded off the first half with yet another try, yet again wonderful interplay between the backline, allowed the fly-half Le Duff to dive in unopposed taking the score to 31-3 at half time. France continued where they left off scoring within 10 minutes of the second half whistle. Some crisp miss passes set full-back Tremouliere on her way, who pulled of a lovely popped offload to the looping Le Duff for the second of the half. France kept attacking, a dropped catch by the South African winger allowed Guiglion on the winger to pounce on the ball and offload it to her outside centre - Poublan. Even with the game totally lost and the final whistle gone, South Africa refused to give up attacking from deep in an attempt to regain some national pride, France were having none of it. A scrappy turnover quickly dug out unleashed the rapid Grassineau away down her left wing to round of a nine try rout.
Final Score: France 55 - South Africa 3
No comments:
Post a Comment