Canadian women push England to the limit before falling in Rugby World Cup semifinal
CBC
England downed a determined Canada 26-19 on Saturday to extend its winning streak to 30 matches and move into the final of the Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand.
The high-tempo game was a showcase for women's rugby on a sunny but windy afternoon at Eden Park. Third-ranked Canada gave No. 1 England all it could handle in a hard-hitting physical affair.
There was a turning point in the 50th minute when England, after resolutely defending a prolonged Canadian attack deep in its own half, won the ball back. Instead of kicking to safety, wing Claudia MacDonald elected to run out from behind her try-line. After cutting through the Canadian defence, she passed to Abby Dow who accelerated past the last line of defence for a highlight-reel try — her second of the day — and 23-12 lead.
Canada finally breached the England defence in the 68th minute with lock Tyson Beukeboom crashing over for a converted try that cut the lead to 23-19.
WATCH | England defeats Canada in semifinals:
Emily Scarratt's 70th-minute penalty extended the English lead to seven points. Canada kept coming, forcing the English to make tackle after tackle. But England held on.
The Red Roses have not lost since a 28-13 defeat at the hands of New Zealand in July 2019. And they have now won nine straight over Canada.
The Canadian women, meanwhile, came into the semifinal on an eight-game win streak since a 28-0 loss to New Zealand in June at the Pacific Four Series.
The English are a professional side with players under contract to the Rugby Football Union. Many of the Canadians have jobs outside of rugby that they put on hold to prepare for the World Cup.
"I'm so proud of every person in our group and everyone that's been with us since the beginning of this cycle," said an emotional Canadian captain Sophie de Goede.
England will play either No. 2 New Zealand or No. 4 France, who met in the second semifinal at the 50,000-capacity Eden Park, in the final. The Canadian women will play the loser of that game for third place.
Karen Paquin and Alysha Corrigan also scored tries for Canada, which trailed 15-12 after a first half that saw the Canadians playing into the wind. Captain Sophie De Goede kicked two conversions.
Marlie Packer also scored a try for England. Scarratt booted a conversion and three penalties.
It was all-action from the kickoff with the Canadians applying early pressure only to be let down by handling errors. England then attacked and, after a Canadian scrum penalty, kicked into the corner to set up a driving maul from the lineout with Packer going over in the ninth minute.
