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Canada wrapped up an unbeaten pool stage with a 29-14 win over the USA in Auckland on Sunday. The result secures the No2 seed for the Canadians, and sets up an immediate rematch with the 7th-seeded Eagles in next weekend’s Quarter Final.
It was early dominance for the Maple Leafs, whose first try came five minutes in via Emily Tuttosi on the back of a driving maul. A line break from Alysha Corrigan set up the second, which was eventually scored by Alex Tessier with the conversion from the boot of Sophie de Goede.
The Eagles got back in the game when star center Alev Kelter shrugged off three defenders to score a fine individual effort, adding the extras herself. Canada’s unusually expansive attack was causing problems, however, and another Corrigan break put the USA back in their own end.
Instead of the maul from an attacking lineout, the Canucks tried a trick play down the short side but Karen Paquin was held up over the line. There would be no escape for the Eagles. From the drop-out the pressure continued until an unmarked Paige Farries sailed around the corner to score Canada’s third try just before halftime. de Goede tacked on two more from a tough angle.
When play resumed the two sides crashed into each other for 20 minutes. The USA found success with their own attack as Canada’s error-count began to rise steeply. A looping play looked to have put Tess Feury over for five points, but a review determined that Evi Ashenbrucker had obstructed a defender and the score was waved off.
Eventually a turnover put the Canadians in scoring position, and this time they went back to the maul with Olivia DeMerchant getting the credit for the bonus-point try. de Goede’s kick rang off the crossbar for what would be the captain’s final act of the day as replacements streamed onto the field.
The Eagles were determined not to go quietly and after a first attempt at the line was held up, Kate Zackary crossed from close range. Corrigan won a turnover to put Canada on the attack and a frustrated Zackary was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Mikiela Nelson broke from a resulting lineout drive to score in the corner and end the game.
Both teams will take positives from the match though neither will be satisfied with their performance. They will now have the week to prepare for another North American clash with the winner advancing to the Final Four and the loser bringing a close to their campaign.
TEAMS
CANADA 29
Tries – E. Tuttosi (5′), A. Tessier (15′), P. Farries (37′), O. DeMerchant (60′), M. Nelson (80′)
Cons – S. de Goede 2/4 (16′, 38′), A. Holly 0/1
USA 14
Tries – A. Kelter (19′), K. Zackary (71′)
Cons – A. Kelter 2/2 (20′, 72′)
YC – K. Zackary (79′)
SCORING
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil (17 Mikiela Nelson 55′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 61′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Olivia DeMerchant 50′), 4 Courtney Holtkamp (20 Tyson Beukeboom HT), 5 McKinley Hunt (19 Ngalula Fuamba 61′), 6 Karen Paquin, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.) (21 Gabrielle Senft 61′), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier (23 Julia Schell 77′), 11 Paige Farries (22 Anaïs Holly 56′-67′), 12 Sara Kaljuvee (22 Anaïs Holly 72′), 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant, 15 Elissa Alarie
USA
1 Hope Rogers (17 Catie Benson 67′), 2 Joanna Kitlinski (16 Kathryn Treder 67′), 3 Nick James (18 Charli Jacoby 55′), 4 Kristine Sommer, 5 Evi Ashenbrucker (19 Jenny Kronish 67′), 6 Kathryn Johnson (20 Elizabeth Cairns 67′), 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters (21 Bridget Kahele 60′), 10 Gabby Cantorna (22 Katana Howard 70′), 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Alev Kelter, 13 Eti Haungatau (23 Meya Bizer 67′), 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 Tess Feury
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistants: Joy Neville (Ireland) & Doriane Domenjo (France)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
