Blue wave hits Canada as France celebrates Bronze victory

France celebrated victory in the Bronze Final at the World Cup as they put Canada to the sword by a final score of 36-0. As the Maple Leafs struggled to find inspiration and committed a litany of errors, Les Bleues crashed into their opponents in waves and dominated both sides of the ball from start to finish.

Les Bleues took control early, using their tactical kicking to pin the Canadians in their own end. A clearance attempt from Maddy Grant was returned with interest by Emilie Boulard to win a 50-22. From the lineout the French pack smashed ahead until an Annaëlle Deshayes offload put Madoussou Fall in for the opening try. Caroline Drouin calmly slotted the extra two.

The French pressure stayed on, and again they pushed deep into Canadian territory. This time the defense held and when a penalty was earned skipper Gaëlle Hermet summoned Drouin to take the three points on offer. Pauline Bourdon’s break around the short side of a scrum had alarm bells ringing but at last the Maple Leafs won a turnover and cleared their lines.

After some early troubles, Canada’s scrum began to take the edge and a penalty allowed Alex Tessier to thump the ball into the French half. From the lineout the pack drove into scoring position, but the defense was up to it and a turnover at the breakdown allowed the French to escape without conceding any points.

Not long after Bourdon was in under the sticks for France’s second try. Gabrielle Vernier stepped back inside to catch Tessier off-balance, and the center connected with the trailing scrumhalf for the finish. The simple conversion from Drouin gave Les Bleues a commanding 17-nil lead.

There was time enough for one more score before halftime. Boulard fired another pinpoint kick into the corner to win a throw-in for France. The maul was stopped but Bourdon spotted space on the left side and two passes later Marine Ménager was over in the corner.

The coup de grâce came early in the second half. France were immediately on the attack again, and Annaëlle Deshayes needed no second invitation when a gap was left in the Canadian defense. The prop picked straight through the ruck to cross for the fourth try much to the delight of her teammates.

A fifth try would come at the hour mark on a wide pass from Drouin to Maëlle Filopon, who in turn sent Ménager around the corner for a double. Gabrielle Vernier was binned for a high tackle, but try as they might the Canadians couldn’t breach the French line and the clock would run out before could make an impact on the scoreboard.

Canada will be sorely disappointed with the result but can look back on the tournament with fondness. Their energy was consumed by an all-in Semi Final that captured the attention of the rugby world. For some this will mark the end of their international careers. Others now look ahead to England, who will host the next World Cup in just three years’ time.

 

SCORING

CANADA 0

FRANCE 36
Tries – M. Fall (12′), P. Bourdon (36′), M. Menager 2 (40’+1′, 60′), A. Deshayes (44′)
Cons – C. Drouin 4/5 (13′, 37′, 45′, 61′)
Pens – C. Drouin 1/1 (21′)
YC – G. Vernier (66′)

 

TEAMS

CANADA
1 Olivia DeMerchant (17 Brittany Kassil 50′), 2 Emily Tuttosi (16 Gillian Boag 59′), 3 DaLeaka Menin (18 Alex Ellis 59′), 4 Courtney Holtkamp (**19 Emma Taylor HT), 5 McKinley Hunt (20 Tyson Beukeboom HT), 6 Sara Svoboda (22 Fabiola Forteza HT), 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Alex Tessier, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Sara Kaljuvee (23 Anaïs Holly 68′), 13 Alysha Corrigan, 14 Maddy Grant (21 Gabrielle Senft 63′), 15 Elissa Alarie

**19 Emma Taylor left the field at 77 minutes and could not be replaced

FRANCE
1 Annaëlle Deshayes (17 Celia Domain 59′), 2 Agathe Sochat (16 Laure Touyé 62′), 3 Assia Khalfaoui (18 Clara Joyeux HT), 4 Céline Ferer (19 Safi N’Diaye 55′), 5 Madoussou Fall (4 Céline Ferer 69′), 6 Gaëlle Hermet (capt.), 7 Charlotte Escudero (20 Marjorie Mayans 62′), 8 Romane Ménager, 9 Pauline Bourdon (21 Alexandra Chambon 62′), 10 Caroline Drouin (22 Jessy Trémoulière 62′), *11 Marine Ménager, 12 Gabrielle Vernier (10 Caroline Drouin 78′), 13 Maëlle Filopon, 14 Joanna Grisez, 15 Emilie Boulard (23 Chloé Jacquet 53′)

*11 Marine Menager left the field at 74 minutes and could not be replaced

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistants: Joy Neville (Ireland) & Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)