In a commanding display, Alysha Corrigan scored two tries in the first half as Canada secured a resounding 46-5 victory over Australia in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals held in Bristol, England. The Canadian team, ranked second, outplayed the seventh-ranked Australian team throughout the match.
The scoring started early in the second minute when Asia Hogan-Rochester capitalized on a break from Julia Schell to score the opening try. Sophie de Goede and McKinley Hunt added to the lead with tries in the first half, with Hunt’s coming from a powerful drive after a rolling maul.
De Goede, who also kicked four conversions, led the scoring with 13 points and a total of 17 conversions in the tournament so far. She was named the player of the match for her outstanding performance.
Reflecting on the team’s success, de Goede expressed satisfaction, stating, “We’re just rolling. We’ve checked off every job we’ve wanted to do so far, and this is another ticked box.” She also praised the team’s versatility and adaptability, acknowledging the tough challenge posed by the Australian team.
Fabiola Forteza and Karen Paquin continued Canada’s dominance in the second half by scoring tries, with captain Alex Tessier adding a penalty kick to extend the lead.
Canada held a significant 31-5 lead at halftime, showcasing their control over the game. Despite conceding an early try to Australia, the Canadians maintained possession and limited the opposition’s chances in their territory.
Captain Tessier emphasized the team’s focus on setting the tempo early in the game, leading to a strong performance in the first half. Looking ahead to the semifinals, Tessier highlighted the need for swift recovery and preparation for the upcoming match.
Australia put up a spirited defense in the rainy second half, but Canada continued to press forward. Forteza scored in the 19th minute of the half, while Paquin’s remarkable try from a long distance added to Canada’s lead late in the game.
Despite having two tries disallowed, Canada’s coach Kevin Rouet praised the team’s performance, particularly in the first half. He expressed confidence as the team prepares for the semifinals.
Canada will face New Zealand in the semifinals, with both teams aiming for a spot in the final. Corrigan and Hunt lead the Canadian team with four tries each in the tournament, while Julia Schell, who scored six tries in a previous match, continues to be a key player for Canada.
Schell was involved in one of the disallowed tries during the match against Australia.