AUCKLAND, New Zealand — New Zealand and Canada joined England in
guaranteeing themselves berths in the
women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with
contrasting wins in Auckland on Sunday.
اضافة اعلان
Canada used
forward power to suffocate Italy 22–12 before tournament hosts New Zealand
unleashed a high-octane brand in a 56–12 demolition of Wales.
The two
performances came a day after England used pressure rugby to beat stubborn
fourth seeds France 13–7 as the three top-ranked nations rose to the top of
their pools through two rounds of matches.
The weekend
ended on a thrilling note when Fiji scored a try in the final minute to upset
South Africa 21–17 to secure their first win in tournament history.
Fly-half Libbie
Janse van Rensburg put South Africa three points ahead with a penalty four
minutes from the end, but Fiji snatched victory with a try to No 8 Karalaina
Naisewa, prompting colorful celebrations.
While both of
those teams can still secure a quarter-final berth in next week’s last round of
pool play, England, New Zealand, and Canada have already booked tickets to the
knockout phase with 100 percent records.
New Zealand’s
Black Ferns turned on an attacking masterclass in their 10-try display.
Playing with a
willingness to offload passes rather than kick, the Black Ferns had too much
speed and skill for a Welsh side, who had beaten Scotland 18–15 last week.
There were two
tries each for 18-year-old center Sylvia Brunt and prolific wing Portia
Woodman, who lifted her extraordinary career tally to 36 tries in 22 Tests.
New Zealand
captain Ruahei Demant said her side had improved from last week’s
tournament-opening 41–7 defeat of Australia.
‘Deadly players’
“I’m proud of the way the team bounced back from last week,” said
Demant, who was among the try-scorers and made eight offloads.
“We weren’t
happy with the way we started the tournament and so to come up here and apply
ourselves mentally, I’m pleased with the way we played to the spaces that we
saw,” she said.
Wales skipper Siwan Lillicrap, who scored their second try in
the dying stages, said New Zealand’s style will have the top teams on high
alert.
“They pounced on
our mistakes, they have deadly wingers that can create stuff from nothing,” she
said. “They have deadly players all around the park, with great attacking
ability.”
Woodman is the
tournament’s joint top try scorer with five, level with Canadian hooker Emily
Tuttosi, who scored twice in Canada’s forward-based win over the fifth-ranked
Italians.
Down 5–0 after
conceding a try to fullback Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi in 31 seconds, the Canucks
took control up front, launching a series of ferocious forward drives. Tuttosi
was the beneficiary, adding to the hat-trick she scored in last week’s big win
over Japan.
Canada captain
Sophie de Goede believed her forwards would continue to be a weapon at the
tournament.
“They are just
so technically sound and they’re powerful and athletic,” said the No 8. “We
work really well as a unit and all those parts make the difference.
“This win is
massive. We came here wanting to win the World Cup, and the first step is to
get wins and bonus points,” she added.
Canada’s other tries
went to center Sara Kalijuvee and speedy winger Paige Farries, who has six
tries in her last four Tests.
Read more Sports
Jordan News
.jpg)
.jpg)
