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Canada clinched their spot in the Quarter Finals with a 22-12 win over Italy at Waitakere Stadium in their second match of the World Cup. Once again it was the strength of the Canadian forwards which proved the difference with a dominant set piece providing the platform for victory.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Italy were in for a try just 30 seconds into the match after a sliced kick from Brianna Miller landed in the hands of Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi. The Azzurre fullback swerved through a gap and turned on the gas to win the race to the corner.
Once play resumed the Canadians regained their composure and moved upfield. Miller found Paige Farries at first receiver, and the Worcester winger sold a dummy before flying clear on a winding run between the posts. The conversion pushed the Canadians two points ahead.
Before halftime the North Americans stretched their lead. From an attacking lineout the drive came on and there was no stopping it with Emily Tuttosi on the end to get the credit.
The Italians were pinned in their end to start the second half. After conceding penalties they were soon on their own goal line. Sophie de Goede scoffed at a chance for an easy three points and instead took a quick tap penalty. When the ball was recycled the defense was nowhere to be seen as Sara Kaljuvee dove over for a decisive score.
Tuttosi would grab a double, her tournament-leading 5th in two games, on the back of another driving maul. It came after a pinpoint kick to the corner from Alex Tessier. The conversion was unsuccessful but the score was now 22-5 and the Italian body language showed that a comeback was unlikely.
Emma Taylor found herself in the sin bin just a minute after coming on as a replacement for a late hit on Beatrice Rigoni. With time winding down Michela Sillari found a gap. The midfielder was caught by the cover defense, but eventually captain Elisa Giordano slipped in for a consolation try.
Next weekend will see Canada wrap up their pool stage against the USA at the same venue. A single bonus point will be enough to clinch top spot and improve their seeding heading into the knock-out round. Italy remain likely to finish second as they face Japan immediately preceding the North American clash.
SCORING
ITALY 12
Tries – V. Ostuni Minuzzi (1′), E. Giordano (79′)
Cons – M. Sillari 1/2 (80′)
CANADA 22
Tries – P. Faries (19′), E. Tuttosi 2 (36′, 55′), S. Kaljuvee (51′)
Cons – B. Miller 1/3 (20′), S. de Goede 0/1
YC – E. Taylor (66′)
TEAMS
ITALY
1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni (16 Vittoria Vecchini HT), 3 Sara Seye (17 Gaia Maris 63′), 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Beatrice Veronese (20 Francesca Sgorbini 46′), 7 Giada Franco (19 Isabella Locatelli 72′), 8 Elisa Giordano (capt.), 9 Sofia Stefan (21 Sara Barattin 61′), 10 Veronica Madia (22 Alyssa D’Incà 26′-HT), 11 Maria Magatti, 12 Beatrice Rigoni (22 Alyssa D’Incà 66′), 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Not used: 18 Emanuela Stecca, 23 Francesca Granzotto
CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (17 Brittany Kassil 52′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 67′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Alex Ellis 72′), 4 Courtney Holtkamp (20 Emma Taylor 65′), 5 Tyson Beukeboom (19 McKinley Hunt 52′), 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Sara Svoboda (21 Karen Paquin HT), 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Brianna Miller (22 Justine Pelletier 63′), 10 Julia Schell, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Sara Kaljuvee, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
Not used: 23 Alysha Corrigan
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Aurelie Groizeleau (France) & Doriane Domenjo (France)
TMO: Lee Jeffrey (New Zealand)
