Canada have booked their place in the World Cup Semi Final after a convincing victory over Australia at Ashton Gate on Saturday. The Maple Leafs scored seven tries as they outclassed the Wallaroos by a final score of 46-5, in doing so earning a shot at the defending champions next weekend.
It was just two minutes into the match when Caroline Crossley broke from her own end, crossing to the Australian side of halfway. One quick ruck later and Asian Hogan-Rochester was off on a clear run-in from 40 meters. The Wallaroos found a quick reply through their own speedster, Desiree Miller equaling the effort with her own breakaway score on the end of a counter-attack.
That would be the end of parity between the two sides. Three tries in seven minutes left the Wallaroos gasping for air. Alysha Corrigan was up first, reaching out of a tackle to score in the corner. Soon after Australia were again pinned in their end and when the ball was dislodged from Justine Pelletier’s hands, Sophie de Goede was on hand to casually snatch up possession and saunter over for the score. Corrigan then made it a double, sliding over on the end of a multi-phased attack.
If there was any doubt about the result at that stage, it evaporated when the Canadians pushed a driving maul 15 meters upfield before McKinley Hunt broke away to score and make it 31-5 at halftime. Not long into the second half Fabiola Forteza brushed off two defenders and crashed through two more for yet another Canadian try.
The Maple Leafs seemed to sense it was job done and squandered a couple scoring opportunities during a 20-minute scoreless stretch, though a sudden downpour also played its part. Alex Tessier eventually settled for a penalty goal, but there was time for one more addition to the highlight reel. Canada went off the top at a lineout and Karen Paquin came flying into the frame, her inside angle beating the first wave of defenders and a shimmy taking the flanker past the cover for a wonderful individual effort.
Eyes turn immediately to Sunday’s Quarter Finals with England taking on Scotland and France facing Ireland. Regardless of those results, Canada’s Semi Final opponent will be New Zealand. Crowned champions in Auckland three years ago, the Black Ferns enter the game in unusual territory with the Maple Leafs currently sitting one spot above on the World Rankings.
CANADA 46
Tries (7) – A. Hogan-Rochester (2′), A. Corrigan 2 (13′, 20′), S de Goede (16′), M. Hunt (38′), F. Forteza (49′), K. Paquin (77′)
Cons (4) – S. de Goede 4/6 (17′, 21′, 39′, 50′), A. Tessier 0/1
Pens (1) – A. Tessier 1/2 (72′)
AUSTRALIA 5
Tries (1) – D. Miller (7′)
Cons (1) – S. Wood 0/1
CANADA
1 McKinley Hunt (17 Brittany Kassil 47′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 59′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Olivia DeMerchant 59′), 4 Sophie de Goede (20 Laetitia Royer 66′), 5 Courtney O’Donnell (19 Tyson Beukeboom 50′), 6 Caroline Crossley, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Fabiola Forteza (21 Gabrielle Senft 66′), 9 Justine Pelletier (22 Olivia Apps 61′), 10 Taylor Perry, 11 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 12 Alex Tessier (capt.), 13 Florence Symonds (23 Shoshanah Seumanutafa 69′), 14 Alysha Corrigan, 15 Julia Schell
AUSTRALIA
1 Lydia Kavoa (17 Faliki Pohiva 69′), 2 Adiana Talakai (16 Katalina Amosa 23′), 3 Eva Karpani (18 Bridie O’Gorman 46′), 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Michaela Leonard (19 Ashley Fernandez 69′), 6 Piper Duck, 7 Emily Chancellor (20 Ashley Marsters 50′), 8 Siokapesi Palu (capt.) (21 Tabua Tuinakauvadra 46′), 9 Samantha Wood (22 Tia Hinds 57′), 10 Faitala Moleka (22 Tia Hinds 23′-33′), 11 Desiree Miller, 12 Cecilia Smith (23 Trilleen Pomare 66′), 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Maya Stewart, 15 Caitlyn Halse
Date: Saturday, September 13
Venue: Ashton Gate, Bristol
Kickoff: 16:00 local
Weather: partly cloudy, 59°F (15°C), wind W 14-22mph (25-37km/h)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand) & Holly Wood (England)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
