WHANGAREI, New Zealand — England cemented their status as favorites
for the
Women’s Rugby World Cup but were pushed all the way in a 13–7 win over
France in New Zealand on Saturday.
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Earlier, Australia
beat Scotland 14–12 and the United States pulled away from Japan 30–17, leaving
the two beaten teams on the brink of elimination.
On a day of tense
matches in Whangarei, it was the Pool C showdown between the two Six Nations
heavyweights that carried the most significance, with England and France strong
contenders to meet again in the final next month.
Emily Scarratt
scored all the points for England, including their lone try, as they extended
their unbeaten run to 27 matches.
Looking in trouble
at 13–0 down with 15 minutes remaining, France scored against the run of play
through replacement forward Gaelle Hermet to give them a glimmer of hope.
However, England’s
domination of possession and territory continued over the closing stages,
although they continued to squander scoring opportunities against a staunch
French defensive line.
England captain
Sarah Hunter was not surprised by the tight nature of the game.
“We know encounters
between us and France over the last few matches have come down to fine margins.
Tonight was no different, it’s two very good sides,” said Hunter, who equaled
England’s record for Test caps with her 137th appearance.
The world’s
top-ranked side forced fourth-ranked France to attempt more than 140 tackles in
the first half, and that pressure told when outside center Scarratt crossed.
Her conversion,
followed by penalty goals on either side of half-time, helped set up victory
against opponents stung by injuries to two key players in the first 20 minutes.
Scrum-half Laure
Sansus and No 8 Romane Menager both had to be helped off the field, and their
fitness for the remainder of France’s campaign was unclear.
The two earlier
matches involved four teams beaten in the opening round last week.
Scotland must now
upset hosts New Zealand in the final round next week to have any chance of
qualifying for the quarter-finals from Pool A, while Japan will face the same
scenario against Pool B rivals Italy.
The little-fancied
Japanese threatened a major upset when they led the US 5–3 at half-time.
They were still two
points ahead with 25 minutes remaining but could not hold off the Eagles, who
created tries for Joanne Kitlinski, Elizabeth Cairns, Jennine Detiveaux, and
Alev Kelter.
US captain Kate
Zachary said her team reached another level when they realized what was at
stake after a modest first-half display.
“Deep down inside,
the players know how important that second half was,” Zachary said. “We said we
needed to shine in that second half, and every player did.”
The match was a
sharp contrast to the only other meeting of the two nations, when the US won
121–0 in pool play at the 1994 World Cup.
Earlier, Australia
held their nerve after losing both of their hookers to red cards in the closing
stages against Scotland.
Second-half tries
to Bienne Terita and Ashley Marsters helped the Wallaroos overcome a 12–0
deficit at the interval, but the match finished in tense circumstances when
Marsters and Adiana Talakai were both sent off for high tackles.
Australia captain
Shannon Parry was relieved following their first-up 41–17 loss to New Zealand.
“A bit of a
nerve-wracking one, it was a real tough battle,” Parry said. “We didn’t play as
clinically as we wanted to, but we’ll take the points, we’re still in this
tournament and that’s what matters.”
It was a second
narrow defeat for the Scots, who lost in the final minute, 18–15, to Wales last
week.
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