The USA delivered the massive win wanted to remain in competition for the quarter-finals of the Girls’s Rugby World Cup.
The Eagles scorched Samoa 60-0 in York with 10 tries. They’re vying with Australia for the ultimate spot within the final eight. For now, USA and Australia are tied on factors in Pool A, behind already-qualified England.
If Australia lose to England by not less than 76 factors in a while Saturday in Brighton and don’t get a bonus level, USA will advance on factors distinction.
“It’s going to be tight. I’ll be cheering for England,” US captain Kate Zackary mentioned. “At the end of the day we put our whole hearts on the line, that’s all I can ask for. Wherever the chips fall, we’ll pick up the pieces tomorrow.”
Flanker Freda Tafuna scored 4 tries. Tafuna was given a hat-trick in opposition to Australia of their 31-31 draw final weekend however, post-match, one in all her tries was handed to prop Hope Rogers, the Eagles’ most-capped participant. Rogers scored two extra in opposition to Samoa.
Tafuna began the People’ factors chase with a strive from her personal half within the sixth minute and by the twenty seventh, the Eagles had the four-try bonus level.
However with factors so badly wanted, McKenzie Hawkins was changed because the goalkicker after lacking her first three makes an attempt and Gabriella Cantorna took over. She landed 5 of seven.
Samoa, taking part in of their first World Cup in 11 years, have been spirited and fought to the top.
They loved a purple patch whereas US substitute wing Kristen Bitter was within the sin-bin, however the Eagles have been simply as decided to not concede. Flanker Georgie Perris-Redding stripped Samoa in a sort out between her personal posts, and Zackary made a try-saving sort out on Samoa’s Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung.
Tafuna’s fourth strive despatched the US previous 50 factors in a World Cup match for the primary time in 15 years.
Canada 40-19 Scotland
Canada moved into the quarter-finals unbeaten by overpowering Scotland 40-19 in Exeter.
Underdogs Scotland made Canada miss 27 tackles, however the Canadians at all times discovered one other gear to slide into, particularly by way of their pack.
Of Canada’s six tries, 5 have been scored by front-rowers and a penalty strive got here from a pushover try that was illegally collapsed by Scotland. Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi was named participant of the match after scoring twice.
Each groups had already certified for the quarter-finals after beating Fiji and Wales. Because the winner of Pool B, Canada’s last-eight opponents will likely be England, Australia or the US. Scotland will play the winner of Pool A, anticipated to be England.
Prop McKinley Hunt opened Canada’s scoring, and Scotland replied by way of wing Rhona Lloyd of their solely go to to the 22 within the first half.
Hunt would have had a second strive however the ball was cynically jolted from her grasp by Scotland No 8 Evie Gallagher, who was yellow-carded. Scotland’s seven-woman scrum was then monstered by Canada’s for the penalty strive, the latter then sweeping from midway for Tuttosi to achieve out and rating for 19-5 at half-time.
Gallagher returned from the sin-bin within the second half to attain from a fantastic attacking line and path 19-12, however Canada’s forwards took cost once more with tries by Tuttosi and substitute props Brittany Kassil and Olivia DeMerchant.
In between, Scotland wing Francesca McGhie scored her sixth strive of the event, tying Canada’s Julia Schell for the event lead.
Wales 25-28 Fiji
Fiji held on to win a thriller in Exeter and lengthen Wales’ longest World Cup dropping streak to 6 matches.
Fiji received in opposition to Wales in a recreation of small margins
Fiji dominated the primary half to guide 28-15 at half-time however Wales managed the second and scored two extra tries and had one other disallowed for a knock-on over the try-line which was interpreted as a harsh name.
Despite that, Wales’ failure to transform their 5 tries was decisive, as Litiani Vueti transformed all 4 of Fiji’s.
Keira Bevan missed all 4 of her conversion makes an attempt – one was charged down – and Lleucu George missed the final.
Fiji centre Josifini Neihamu starred with two tries on the again of her forwards’ energy, and the last-minute jackal simply metres from her personal try-line that secured the victory.
The victory from the primary worldwide between the groups was not only a boon for the Fijiana, who’re showing at solely their second World Cup, but additionally their coach Ioan Cunningham, who coached Wales from 2021-24 and to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2022.
What’s subsequent?
The group stage of the Girls’s Rugby World Cup concludes on September 7.
On Sunday, Japan play Spain (12pm) earlier than Eire tackle New Zealand (2.45pm) to spherical off the Pool C motion, whereas in Pool D, Italy face Brazil (2pm) and France go up in opposition to South Africa (4.45pm).
