While their men’s counterparts were struggling in Cape Town, the North American women’s teams could not have asked for a better start on Day One of the tournament. The Women’s Eagles blanked Ireland 38-0 with the Canadians only slightly less dominant at 32-0 over Brazil.
Alev Kelter scored the first two of six unanswered tries by the USA. Ireland could only watch as the powerful Americans scored with clock-like regularity. Eti Haungatau ran clear just before the break with second-half tries going to Lauren Doyle, Naya Tapper, and Abby Gustaitis.
It was a similar story for Canada against Brazil whose only blight was a poor conversion rate of one from six. Sara Kaljuvee started the scoring and added a second with further tries going to Kaili Lukan, Pam Buisa, Kayle Moleschi, and Caroline Crossley.
In fact the entirety of Day One in the women’s bracket were one-sided results. Australia and New Zealand turned in shutout performances over England and South Africa respectively, with France coasting against Spain and Fiji taking a surprisingly easy result over Russia.
The USA will open their account on Day Two against England followed by an in-form Australian side. Canada have Spain up first before taking on France. Brazil will play the same opponents in opposite order.
Live broadcasts are available on the CBC Sports website in Canada, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and ESPN in South America.
DAY ONE RESULTS
POOL A
Russia 19 – 38 Fiji
New Zealand 40 – 0 South Africa
POOL B
France 36 – 12 Spain
Canada 32 – 0 Brazil
POOL C
Australia 32 – 0 England
USA 38 – 0 Ireland
DAY TWO AMERICAS FIXTURES
Sat, Dec 14 – 09:07 local / 02:07 Eastern – Pool C – USA vs England
Sat, Dec 14 – 09:29 local / 02:29 Eastern – Pool B – France vs Brazil
Sat, Dec 14 – 09:51 local / 02:51 Eastern – Pool B – Canada vs Spain
Sat, Dec 14 – 14:57 local / 07:57 Eastern – Pool C – USA vs Australia
Sat, Dec 14 – 15:19 local / 08:19 Eastern – Pool B – Spain vs Brazil
Sat, Dec 14 – 15:41 local / 08:41 Eastern – Pool B – Canada vs France
FULL FIXTURES LIST HERE