Canada make hard work of Wales

Canada got the win over Wales on Sunday but not the result they wanted. The 15-0 scoreline saw Canada score just two tries, leaving them two short of the bonus point and putting them in a precarious position heading into the final pool stage against New Zealand.

The match wasn’t supposed to be easy but Canada remained heavy favorites and were expected to achieve their bonus-point target. From the opening it was clear things were not running smoothly and the safe passage they received against Hong Kong was nowhere to be seen at Billings Park. Unforced errors compounded a staunch opposition that rarely threatened with ball in hand but stood defiant in defense.

Wales were single-minded in their approach, throwing bodies into every breakdown to slow down the Canadian attack and they played the referee’s whistle almost to perfection. With quick ball exceedingly difficult the Welsh defensive line was ready and committed to bringing down Canadian ball carriers in numbers. It was as though the match were being played in mud, such was the difficulty of advance.

It took almost 25 minutes for the line to break, when Lori Josephson took a wide arc from a ruck and squeezed through a slight dog-leg to find the line. Magali Harvey’s conversion was accurate and for a moment it looked like Canada had finally found their groove.

They hadn’t.

Instead it was only more frustration heading to the break, and for much of the second half. With Canada looking certain to add another try a needless stamp by Julianne Zussman on a prone Welsh player saw the veteran fullback send to the bin.

Now one body down and with the match still in the balance the team opted to first secure the game with Harvey asked to take points. She obliged to make it a two-score game but when the same decision was made soon after it showed Canada’s lack of confidence in the moment. This time Harvey missed and one wondered if the corner might have been the better option.

Starved for possession throughout, Harvey finally got the ball in space in the 80th minute and took the outside on her opposite to touch down for Canada’s second. It was muted celebrations, however, knowing that a mighty effort will yet be required on Thursday.

The task now is cut and dry. Canada must score points against New Zealand, a team they have threatened but never beaten. If they do not win they require at least one bonus point – either by tries or a narrow defeat – to make the Semi-Finals. It’s not what Canadian fans were hoping for on Sunday morning but for the neutral the tournament is now wide open heading into the final round of the pool stage.

 

SCORING

CANADA 15
Tries – L. Josephson (24’), M. Harvey (80’)
Cons – M. Harvey (25’)
Pens – M. Harvey (69’)
Yellow cards – J. Zussman (63’)

WALES 0
Yellow cards – C. Phillips (67’)

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen (17 Brittany Kassil 63’), 2 Laura Russell, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Kayla Mack (19 Tyson Beukeboom 47’), 5 Latoya Blackwood, 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Lori Josephson (21 Chelsea Guthrie HT), 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Elissa Alarie, 12 Andrea Burk (22 Amanda Thornborough HT), 13 Alex Tessier, 14 Magali Harvey, 15 Julianne Zussman

Not used: 16 Jane Kirby, 18 Olivia DeMerchant, 20 Barb Mervin, 23 Brittany Waters

WALES
1 Caryl Thomas (17 Cerys Hale 67’), 2 Carys Phillips (capt.), 3 Amy Evans (18 Megan York 61’), 4 Rebecca Rowe (19 Siwan Lillicrap 61’), 5 Melissa Clay, 6 Alisha Butchers (19 Siwan Lillicrap 3’-16’) (20 Shona Powell-Hughes 55’), 7 Rachel Taylor, 8 Sioned Harries (16 Morfudd Ifans 67’-77’), 9 Sian Moore (21 Keira Bevan 55’), 10 Elinor Snowsill, 11 Elen Evans, 12 Hannah Jones, 13 Gemma Rowland (22 Robyn Wilkins 75’), 14 Jess Kavanagh-Williams, 15 Dyddgu Hywel (23 Jodie Evans 75’)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Sean Gallagher (IRFU)
Assistants: Graham Cooper (ARU) & Marie Lematte (FFR)
TMO: Simon McDowell (IRFU)