In the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup held in Bristol, Canada decisively defeated Australia with a score of 46-5, earning a spot in the semi-finals against defending champions New Zealand on Sunday (AEST). New Zealand showcased their resilience by overcoming a challenging match against South Africa, winning 46-17 and marking their impressive run in the tournament.
The upcoming semi-final will see the second and third-ranked teams in the world clash for the first time in a World Cup playoff, creating a highly anticipated matchup. Canada’s coach, Kevin Rouet, expressed confidence in his team, stating that while overconfidence should be avoided, there is a strong sense of belief among the players.
On the same day, England will face Scotland while France takes on Ireland to determine the other semi-finalists. Canada has a competitive history with New Zealand, having beaten them for the first time last year and drawing in their last encounter earlier this year. Canadian wing Asia Hogan-Rochester noted that the upcoming match promises excitement, similar to their previous encounters.
In the match against Australia, Canada dominated in the first half, scoring five tries and disallowing two others. They took an early lead, demonstrating impressive speed and skill, with Julia Schell’s break leading to a try by Hogan-Rochester. Although Australia responded with Desiree Miller’s try, they struggled to keep pace with the Canadians.
Although scoring tapered off in the muddy conditions after half-time, Canada managed to extend their tally, with notable performances from players like Sophie de Goede, who not only scored a try but also assisted in three others. Alysha Corrigan contributed two tries, and prop McKinley Hunt also made her mark. Veteran Karen Paquin sealed the game with an impressive long-distance try.
After the match, Australian player Emily Chancellor reflected on the team’s journey, noting improvements since the last World Cup despite the disappointment of the loss.
In the other quarter-final, South Africa, aiming to disrupt New Zealand’s dominance, surprised many by performing strongly in the first half, going into the break tied at 10-10. However, New Zealand’s experience shone through in the second half, quickly scoring and maintaining a comfortable lead. Player of the match Kaipo Olsen-Baker and young star Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who enhanced her tournament statistics, were pivotal in pushing New Zealand forward.
This quarter-final marked a significant achievement for South Africa, showcasing their growth and determination, with coach Swys de Bruin praising the team’s progress since struggling to secure any wins in the previous World Cup. The upcoming matches promise thrilling rugby, with both semi-finals set to deliver intense competition.