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WRWC2017 Day Two: Australian Wallaroos Bundled Out Of Cup

France v Australia - Women's Rugby World Cup 2017

From the Last Word on Rugby department.

The French stamped their mark today at the Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC2017), with the Australian Wallaroos bundled out of Cup contention. They came to Ireland looking for redemption but it wasn’t to be on WRWC2017 Day Two action.

The Irish had to fight from two tries down to win, as competition heats up at the Emerald Isles. And the scorching fire of the Black Ferns match was an amazing result.

Billings Park and the UCD Bowl, Dublin again played hosts to six mouth-watering matches. The crowds were given three international matches to watch on each ground, and it was a great Sunday afternoon of women’s top-class rugby.

Australian Wallaroos Bundled Out

The Aussies were looking forward to gaining back some respectability to Australian Rugby’s image, but they were found wanting. With all the turmoil surrounding the game in the Land Down Under they hoped to show the tenacity and guts of the Aussie spirit.

Now with their campaign over and losing 48-0 to France, it will be interesting how they fair against Japan; who nearly surprised Ireland earlier today (see below image). Could that Asian nation repeat their men’s 2015RWC feat? The darlings of the tournament, tune in on Thursday as the action unfolds.

Maya Shimizu of Japan celebrates with team mates after scoring her teams second try of the game during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 match between Ireland and Japan on August 13, 2017 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

New Zealand were the biggest winners of the day, along with France and the United States while Canada had to dug deep to overcome the plucky Welsh. No doubt though, Portia Woodman was the star of the day grabbing eight tries.

WRWC2017  Day Two Results

Match 1: New Zealand 121 Hong Kong 0

The Black Ferns had a walk in the park in their second game thrashing Hong Kong 121-0. Right from the start when Carla Hohepa out-sprinted the defence, in the tramline for the opening tries. Theresa Fritzpatrick was outstanding at the centers with Kelly Brazier. Charmaine Peters was instrumental at the back of the scrum with her surging runs as the Kiwis scored 19 tries in all.

With the big game against the Welsh on Thursday, some of these players have really put their hands up for selection. The ‘three Ws’ are expected to make the cut: Woodman was devastating today with her eight tries. Selica Winiata came off the bench to score while the other Renne Wycliffe was rested.

Player of the Match

Portia Woodman with her eight tries was phenomenal. She was everywhere showing what a great finisher she is. Her speed and power was too hot to handle for the Hong Kong side.

Next up, it will be the match of the tournament so far: NZLvCAN. Last Word on Rugby are eagerly waiting to enjoy watching the Canadians taking on the Black Ferns.

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Match 2: England 56 Italy 13

It didn’t take too long for Emily Scarratt to open up scoring as the Red Roses ran riot over the Italians. Marlie Packer was everywhere with her bullocking runs, then there is Danielle Waterman who like Mike Brown can find gaps with ease. It was a clinical finish by the English, but captain Scarratt later told worldrugby.org “We have plenty to work on”.

Lydia Thompson and Rachael Burford continue to impress in the backs with Waterman. It will be a great game watching them take on the United States back three of Naya Tapper, Kristen Thomas and Cheta Emba.

Player of the Match

Marlie Packer ran havoc all throughout the game. She was hard to contain with her bullocking runs, combining well with the backs. She ran good lines with Waterman and it is one that the Americans should be wary off.

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Match 3: USA 43 Spain 0

The Americans back three were on fire especially Naya Tapper, who continues to impress. Cheta Emba, Kristen Thomas and Tapper didn’t give the Spanish any chance. Tapper took five defenders to the line ten meters out, her other burst she made from the touchline with five defenders on her. She stood tall with Alev Kelter at inside center. Flankers Kate Zachary and Sara Poulson were lethal in all they did with Hope Rogers impressive off the bench.

Showdown with the Red Roses will be a cracker. On the other hand, the Spanish will give their all for a win in the Pool stages against rivals Italy. The Spanish just need to utilize their possession well, turn possession into points.

Player of the Match

The big number eight continues to make head waves in all her games. It will be interesting how Marlie Packer and Harriett Mills contain her in the decider.

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Match 4: Canada 15 Wales 0

It was a huge game for both sides with Kelly Rusell playing her 50th Test and Elen Evans playing her 70th international game. The Welsh side fought hard with only the experience of Canada standing tall in the end. It had to be Magali Harvey who had to save the day for the Canadians. However, their midfield trio of Emily Bechos, Andrea Burk and Alex Tessier were the toast of the side. They orchestrated and dictated play giving rooms for Kelly Rusell and Karen Paquin to move in the forwards.

The Canadians have used the same lineup in both their matches thus far; it will be interesting how they will lineup against the Kiwis. Plenty firepower on both sides, with the game to go be, a very close encounter. Wales will be chasing their first win when they meet Hong Kong.

Player of the Match

Kelly Rusell deservedly rewarded in her 50th appearance for her nation. She is following in the footsteps of two legends of Canadian rugby in Gillian Florence – a veteran of five World Cups – and Maria Gallo, who presented the team with their jerseys ahead of the Hong Kong match. She led by example from the front and helped her side withstood the entire Welsh onslaught.

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Match 5: Ireland 24 Japan 12

The hosts came from two tries down to beat Japan. They were taken to the wire with the Japanese (see picture at top of page), relying on their speed game to potentially win them the game. It worked well in the opening half, catching the Irish napping but Nora Stapleton kept the Irish in the game. It was her outstanding kicking which saved them the day with Sene Naopu in the centers.

Katie Fritzhenry was sent to the bin which could have been a disaster for the Irish, but they held their nerve. A key to high-performing athletes, where emotion will get you ‘so far’. Full credit to the Sakura, but they ran out of attack and got overwhelmed by the hosts.

Player of the Match

Nora Stapleton saved the Irish from an early exit. She did her country proud and like Jonathan Sexton she has a big boot on her.

The Irish will await the French team in Day Three fixtures, to decide the Pool winner. Japan and Australia will battle it out for the third spot. It will be exciting how both sides finish at the end of the tournament.

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Match 6: France 48 v Australia 0 (UCD Bowl)

It was a dominant performance from the French as they gave the Aussies an early exit. They were ruthless, they didn’t give an inch to the Wallaroos to maneuver something. It was a game to win for the Aussies but it wasn’t to be. They came to the tournament searching for a top four finish but to no avail.

It was the French sevens stars who buried the Aussies. From the kicking and distribution of fullback Amadee Montserratt to Shannon Izar and Chloe Pelle in the wings. However, Romane Menager, the flanker was outstanding in the forwards with sevens star Marjorie Mayans. Gael Mignot’s side has sent out a clear message “we are here to win.”

Player of the Match

Menager is a flanker who runs like a wing, hardworking on and off the ball. Very talented and will be the one to watch as the tournament progresses.

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WRWC2017 Day Two: Standings

WRWC2017 Day Three Fixtures:

  • Pool A – 11:00GMT – Canada v New Zealand; Billings Park UCD, Dublin
  • Pool B – 13:00GMT – England v USA; Billings Park
  • Pool B – 13:45GMT – Italy v Spain; UCD Bowl, Dublin
  • Pool C – 16:00GMT – Australia v Japan; Billings Park
  • Pool A – 16:15GMT – Wales v Hong Kong; UCD Bowl
  • Pool C – 18:45GMT – France v Ireland; UCD Bowl
Follow all the results here, with Jovilisi Waqa and the Lowdown on the WRWC2017.

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