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The dream is over for Colombia; Los Tucanes will not play at the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The Colombians were eliminated in the final qualifying match, losing 59-3 against Scotland earlier today in Dubai.
Colombia were playing in their second of two matches this week. Las Tucanes overcame Kazakhstan in game one while Scotland were allocated a bye before facing Colombia in today’s elimination match.
Colombia’s win over Kazakhstan was one of heroics. N8 Maribel Mestra Díaz was red carded early-on in the match; thus, Las Tucanes played with 14-women. Mestra Díaz was subsequently suspended by World Rugby and forced to miss out on facing Scotland.
It was very much a match between two worlds. Scotland has played over 500 matches while today’s game was just the fourth for Colombia.
The result of the match means that Scotland join Australia, Wales and tournament hosts New Zealand in Pool A. The twelve-team tournament will involve Canada and the USA as the participants from the Americas. They are both in Pool B as are Italy and Japan. Pool C consists of England, Fiji, France and South Africa.
Colombia will already have an eye on the next Women’s Rugby World Cup. It will be expanded from 12 to 16 participants and, unlike at present, South America will be given a direct qualifier.
