Canada pushes England to the limit before falling in Rugby World Cup semifinal

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — England downed a decided Canada 26-19 on Saturday to prolong its profitable streak to 30 matches and transfer into the final of the Rugby World Cup.

The significant-tempo game was a showcase for women’s rugby on a sunny but windy afternoon at Eden Park. Third-ranked Canada gave No. 1 England all it could cope with in a challenging-hitting actual physical affair.

There was a turning place in the 50th moment when England, soon after resolutely defending a extended Canadian attack deep in its have 50 percent, won the ball again. Alternatively of kicking to security, wing Claudia MacDonald elected to run out from powering her check out-line. Soon after slicing by way of the Canadian defence, she handed to Abby Dow who accelerated earlier the past line of defence for a spotlight-reel test — her 2nd of the working day — and 23-12 lead.

Canada eventually breached the England defence in the 68th moment with lock Tyson Beukeboom crashing in excess of for a transformed attempt that lower the lead to 23-19.

Emily Scarratt’s 70th-minute penalty prolonged the English guide to seven points. Canada held coming, forcing the English to make tackle immediately after tackle. But England held on.

The Purple Roses have not dropped because a 28-13 defeat at the palms of New Zealand in July 2019. And they have now won 9 straight over Canada.

The Canadian ladies, meanwhile, came into the semifinal on an 8-recreation get streak considering that a 28- decline to New Zealand in June at the Pacific 4 Series.

The English are a specialist side with gamers below agreement to the Rugby Soccer Union. Many of the Canadians have employment outdoors of rugby that they put on hold to put together for the Earth Cup.

England will perform both No. 2 New Zealand or No. 4 France, who satisfied in the 2nd semifinal at the 50,000-capability Eden Park, in the last. The Canadian women of all ages will enjoy the loser of that video game for 3rd spot.

Karen Paquin and Alysha Corrigan also scored tries for Canada, which trailed 15-12 immediately after a to start with 50 percent that saw the Canadians enjoying into the wind. Captain Sophie De Goede kicked two conversions.

Marlie Packer also scored a try out for England. Scarratt booted a conversion and 3 penalties.

It was all-action from the kickoff with the Canadians implementing early force only to be permit down by dealing with errors. England then attacked and, soon after a Canadian scrum penalty, kicked into the corner to established up a driving maul from the lineout with Packer heading in excess of in the ninth minute.

Scarratt’s conversion gave England a 7- direct.

Dow capped off a free-flowing England attack, highlighted by a slashing operate from fullback Helena Rowland that opened up the Canadian defence, with a 15th-minute try to up the guide to 12-. Scarratt’s conversion attempt hit the submit.

Canada answered four minutes later following Justine Pelletier darted out from guiding the scrum and raced down the subject, making metres in advance of launching a kick that Paquin acquired to initially to contact down to make the rating 12-5.

Canada was penalized for not rolling absent in the breakdown right after an additional extended English attack, manufacturing an additional lineout near the Canadian consider-line. The ball was spun vast this time and England lock Abby Ward crashed over but couldn’t get the ball down with Canadian defenders holding her up to deny the attempt.

Canada’s driving maul received back-to-again penalties and, immediately after a Canadian lineout 5 metres out from the England try out-line, Corrigan went about in the 35th moment for a converted attempt that tied the rating as 12-12.

Scarratt gave England a 15-12 guide with a penalty on the stroke of halftime soon after Canada was penalized for an infraction at the breakdown.

England came out with intent in the second 50 % and Scarratt kicked one more penalty for an 18-12 lead in the 43rd minute after Canada’s Sara Kaljuvee was penalized all over again at the breakdown.

England shed Rowland to harm early in the second 50 percent. And prop Vickii Cornborough was despatched to the sin-bin in the 54th moment for repeated England violations.

Canada coach Kevin Rouet stuck with the same commencing 15 that beat the seventh-rated People 32-11 in final weekend’s quarterfinal.

Both equally Canada and England came into the match having received their 4 earlier matches at the tournament. And both groups boasted a potent pack with successful driving mauls.

The great importance of the Canadian pack was proven by the fact that Rouet, for the 2nd video game in a row, experienced seven forwards and just one particular back again on the bench.

The Canadians dropped veteran ahead Laura Russell and fly 50 percent Taylor Perry to injuries on the eve of the match. Scrum half Brianna Miller was dominated out immediately after an injury towards Italy.

The event was at first slated for 2021 but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Canada’s greatest finish at the match was next in 2014 when it misplaced 21-9 to England in the closing. The Canadian women of all ages positioned fourth in 1998, 2002 and 2006 and have been fifth last time out in 2017.

England has under no circumstances completed out of the top rated three at the match.

The Purple Roses also won in 1994 and have finished runner-up five-situations (dropping to the U.S. in 1991 and New Zealand in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2017). They had been 3rd in 1998.

England arrived into the recreation with a 28-3-1 all-time edge above Canada. The Purple Roses experienced won the previous eight meetings, outscoring the Canadians 360-110, since a 52-17 reduction in the Women’s Rugby Tremendous Series in July 2016.