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New Zealand produced a stunning performance at Billings Park on Wednesday as they gave Canada a lesson in firepower to the tune of 48-5. A 29-0 opening half erased any thoughts of a Canadian victory, or even hopes of the bonus point that Canada so desperately needed to reach the Semi Finals.
At every turn New Zealand were simply the better side. Canadian errors compounded the matter and seemingly every mistake was punished in devastating fashion. A gap in defense left the door wide open for Silica Winiata to grab the first try inside 10 minutes and from then on Canada never recovered.
Two tries from Aldora Itunu in quick succession stretched the gap and even when the prop was handed a 10-minute rest for team infringements the black waves never receded. Stacey Waaka went over in the corner and then Kelly Brazier raced over with Itunu still in the bin, as if to prove they could play the entire match with a one-player handicap.
The second half got off to a better start for Canada as they conceded no points for 11 minutes. Black Ferns skipper Fiao’o Fa’amausili ended that from close range before Canada finally erased the goose egg on the scoreboard. Eloise Blackwell was handed a yellow card for a neck roll and this time Canada took advantage, with a wonderful attacking move inspired by Karen Paquin and finished off by Jacey Grusnick.
New Zealand were not in a giving mood, however, and Renee Wickliffe’s try just a minute later ended even subdued celebrations for Canadian fans. Itunu got her hat trick soon after and the rout was complete. It was Canada’s largest margin of defeat to New Zealand since the 66-7 result at the 2006 World Cup.
Canada’s tournament will now continue knowing that their best possible finish is 5th place, cast out of Semi Final contention by the failure to score a bonus point in the win over Wales on Sunday. New Zealand march on towards the ultimate prize and have well and truly secured the favorites tag with their clinical performance against the world’s 3rd ranked team.
SCORING
CANADA 5
Tries – J. Grusnick (62’)
NEW ZEALAND 48
Tries – S. Winiata (8’), A. Itunu 3 (17’, 23’, 69’), S. Waaka (34’), K. Brazier (40’), F. Fa’amausili (51’), R. Wickliffe (63’)
Cons – K. Cocksedge 3 (18’, 24’, 52’), K. Brazier (70’)
Yellow cards – A. Itunu (29’), E. Blackwell (59’)
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Carolyn McEwen (17 Brittany Kassil 53’), 2 Laura Russell (16 Jane Kirby 53’), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Olivia DeMerchant 53’), 4 Kayla Mack (19 Tyson Beukeboom 45’), 5 Latoya Blackwood (20 Barb Mervin 60’), 6 Jacey Grusnick, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Kelly Russell (capt.), 9 Lori Josephson (21 Chelsea Guthrie 70’), 10 Emily Belchos, 11 Julianne Zussman, 12 Amanda Thornborough, 13 Alex Tessier (22 Andrea Burk HT), 14 Magali Harvey (23 Brittany Waters 57’), 15 Elissa Alarie
NEW ZEALAND
1 Toka Natua (17 Sosoli Talawadua 65’), 2 Fiao’o Fa’amausili (capt.) (16 Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate 77’), 3 Aldora Itunu (18 Katie Mata’u 70’), 4 Eloise Blackwell (19 Becky Wood 70’), 5 Charmaine Smith, 6 Charmaine McMenamin (18 Katie Mata’u 30’-40’) (20 Linda Itunu 65’), 7 Sarah Goss, 8 Aroha Savage, 9 Kendra Cocksedge (21 Kristine Sue 65’), 10 Victoria Subtritzky-Nafatali, 11 Renee Wickliffe (23 Carla Hohepa 65’), 12 Kelly Brazier, 13 Stacey Waaka (22 Theresa Fitzpatrick 60’), 14 Portia Woodman, 15 Selica Winiata
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Alhambra Nievas (FER)
Assistants: Cwengile Jadezweni (SARU) & Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Kevin Beggs (IRFU)
