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Canada made it four wins in a row against France as they took a 36-19 result in Chula Vista on Tuesday. The two sides were within one score at halftime, but three second half tries saw the Canadians pull away to earn the comfortable victory and reclaim the No3 spot on the World Rankings.
Sophie de Goede, winning just her second test cap, showed her impressive athletic talent with the No8 taking over the kicking duties. A 5-from-6 effort off the tee gave her 11 points on the evening, with her first kick a penalty goal in the 3rd minute.
France got the first try shortly after from second row Safi N’Diaye, but her efforts were matched by opposite Tyson Beukeboom just two minutes later. The French again crept ahead through scrumhalf Laure Sansus and the lead held for a short time until Janna Slevinsky replied for Canada, de Goede’s extras making it 17-12 at the break.
An early try in the second half from Sabrina Poulin put France two scores behind. Regular captain Laura Russell came off the bench to score just before the hour mark, stretching the gap to three scores.
Into the fray came Jessy Trémoulière, World Rugby Player of the Year, and she made an instant impact, converting her own try to bring France back to within 10 points, but it was too little, too late. Amanda Thornborough scored just before full-time as Canada successfully rebounded from their opening round loss to New Zealand.
Round Three on Saturday will see France take on New Zealand, with Canada facing their 2014 World Cup Final opponents England.
SCORING
CANADA 36
Tries – T. Beukeboom (8′), J. Slevinsky (27′), S. Poulin (44′), L. Russell (58′), A. Thornborough (79′)
Cons – S. de Goede 4 (9′, 28′, 59′, 80′)
Pens – S. de Goede (3′)
Yellow cards – N. Fuamba (70′)
FRANCE 19
Tries – S. N’Diaye (6′), L. Sansus (15′), J. Tremouliere (66′)
Cons – E. Coudert (7′), J. Tremouliere (67′)
TEAMS
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Jacey Grusnick, 6 Janna Slevinsky, 7 Fabiola Forteza, 8 Sophie de Goede, 9 Lori Josephson, 10 Taylor Black, 11 Sabrina Poulin, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Amanda Thornborough, 14 Paige Farries, 15 Elissa Alarie (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Ngalula Fuamba, 17 Laura Russell, 18 Maude Laliberté, 19 Courtney Holtkamp, 20 Sara Svoboda, 21 Marie-Pier Fauteux, 22 Brianna Miller, 23 Alysha Corrigan
FRANCE
1 Lise Arricastre, 2 Agathe Sochat, 3 Clara Joyeux, 4 Safi N’Diaye, 5 Audrey Forlani, 6 Gaëlle Hermet (capt.), 7 Coumba Diallo, 8 Fiona Lecat, 9 Laure Sansus, 10 Emma Coudert, 11 Marine Ménager, 12 Morgane Peyronnet, 13 Maëlle Filopon, 14 Cyrielle Banet, 15 Élise Pignot
Replacements: 16 Laure Touyé, 17 Célia Domain, 18 Annaëlle Deshayes, 19 Madoussou Fall, 20 Céline Ferer, 21 Pauline Bourdon, 22 Camille Cabalou, 23 Jessy Trémoulière
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USAR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
