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CBC
23-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian women dominate Australia in Pacific Four Series rugby win
Defending champion Canada ran in seven tries en route to a lopsided 45-7 women's rugby win over Australia in Brisbane on Friday, completing an unbeaten run through the Pacific Four Series. The second-ranked Canadians must now await the outcome of No. 3 New Zealand's home game against the ninth-ranked U.S. on Saturday in North Harbour to see whether they retain their title. Canada and New Zealand went into the final round tied on eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. But New Zealand held the tiebreaker edge over Canada — a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians (2-0-1) achieved their goal Friday by defeating Australia (1-2-0), scoring four tries for a bonus point and running up the score. A New Zealand bonus-point win Saturday and the title will be decided by points differential. Canada's points differential now stands at plus-50. But the Black Ferns will undoubtedly add to their differential, having thumped the U.S. 57-5 when they met in last year's Pacific Four Series. Canada improved to 7-0-0 all-time against No. 6 Australia. Canada dominated set pieces, pushing back the Wallaroos in the scrum and winning lineouts. The Canadians led 26-0 at the half and could have added to the lead, with another try called back for obstruction and handling errors ending other attacks. McKinley Hunt, Karen Paquin, Julia Schell, Laetitia Royer, Krissy Scurfield, captain Alex Tessier and Fabiola Forteza scored tries for Canada. Schell booted five conversions. Desi Miller scored Australia's try with Faitala Moleka adding the conversion. The two teams could meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals this summer in England. Canada had lost just one of its nine previous matches (7-1-1) while the Wallaroos had won five of their last six. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. All four Pacific Four Series teams are preparing for the World Cup, which kicks off Aug. 22 in England. The Canadians have been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada's next games are against No. 12 South Africa in Pretoria on July 5 and Gqeberha on July 12. Its final tune-up is Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Belfast. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with New Zealand before that. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada improved to 12-5-1 since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Wallaroos thumped 45-7 by Canada in harsh World Cup reality check
The rise of Australia's rugby women has been rocked by a clinical Canada in Brisbane, walloped 45-7 by the world No 2 side to crush local hopes of a first Pacific Four title. It extends the Wallaroo's dismal run against the North Americans to 0-7 in XVs and leaves them plenty to ponder in the three Test lead-in to the World Cup in August. The eight-try trouncing salts the wound of Australia's shock defeat to Canada in the Sevens semi-final at the 2024 Olympics where a 12-0 lead at Stade de France imploded into a 22-12 cataclysm. It ended their gold medal dreams and impacted the playoff for bronze where a late USA try ultimately left the 2016 champions without a medal. But hopes were high those demons could be laid to rest in Brisbane. With an infusion of Sevens stars by coach Jo Yapp, Australia had posted spirited victories over Fijiana and USA this past month. But against the Pacific Four champions – fresh from a 27-all draw with world champs New Zealand – they needed everything to go their way. It didn't. The kickoff was a disaster with a wicked bounce allowing Canada to regather 10-metres out. Two desperate turnovers by captain Siokapesi Palu kept the Canadians out initially, but a third error in in as many minutes let the Red Army roll a maul 30 metres downfield where prop McKinley Hunt planted the ball over the stripe for 7-0. With blood in the water, Australia's panic was preyed on. Timid defence and repeat errors was gifting hairless halfback Olivia Apps fast ball to light up Canada's attack. In the 11th minute DeLeaka Menin burst through loose Wallaroos defence to put Karen Paquin over. A third stolen lineout then sent fullback Julia Schell to the line for 21-0. Australia capitalised on a disallowed visitors try to launch raids down the short side. Again, Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick was the spark. Shifted from wing closer to the action at inside-centre, the 30-year-old was troubling Canada captain Alexandra Tessier with her charges and putting the Red Army on their heels with torrid defence. But the gulf in class between the sides was sobering. Although Canada botched a second try through obstruction in the 39th minute, they shrugged it off to deal the home side a mortal blow on the stroke of halftime, a stolen scrum giving Laetitia Royer a clear path to the line for a fourth try and an ominous 26-0 lead at the break. If there was a glimmer of hope for the Wallaroos, it was that they had fought back from 26 down against New Zealand a fortnight back, holding the Black Ferns to parity in the final 30 minutes to go down fighting by 38-12. Sure enough, they shot from the sheds, a Caitlyn Halse kick winning territory for Adiana Talakai to cross the stripe. Alas, the try was scrubbed for a knock-on in the lead-up. Undaunted, Australia came again, Georgina Friedrichs making the break for Desiree Miller to carry two defenders over the line for 26-7. The 'game on' glow lasted three minutes before Canada struck again, fast hands from Apps to her backs putting wing Krissy Scurfield into the corner. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion Yapp had made five changes to the match-day 23 that defeated USA 27-19 in Canberra last week, including an all-new front row for the second-week running. When veteran centre Alex Tessier cut through to make it a 30-point margin, the coach rang more changes, seeking the alchemy Australia need to win a RWC top-four berth in England. It put starch in the gold line but not enough to stop Julia Omokhuale crossing for 45-7. Although the Wallaroos have improved significantly this season and have one Test against New Zealand and two against Wales to experiment before the RWC pool stages, the dissolution of their set-piece in Brisbane is a major worry. The lineout and scrum were a shambles and Canada dismantled the home side in every department. 'Our setpiece was challenged,' said Palu after the loss. 'But if we're to try and take the positives, we've grown our depth in the middle.' Canada's victory leaves them top of the Pacific Four ladder although New Zealand can wrestle the title away by defeating US and surging past Canada's on points difference.
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canadian women dominate Australia in 45-7 Pacific Four Series rugby win
BRISBANE - Defending champion Canada ran in seven tries en route to a lopsided 45-7 women's rugby win over Australia on Friday, completing an unbeaten run through the Pacific Four Series. The second-ranked Canadians must now await the outcome of No. 3 New Zealand's home game against the ninth-ranked U.S. on Saturday in North Harbour to see whether they retain their title. Canada and New Zealand went into the final round tied on eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. But New Zealand held the tiebreaker edge over Canada — a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians (2-0-1) achieved their goal Friday by defeating Australia (1-2-0), scoring four tries for a bonus point and running up the score. A New Zealand bonus-point win Saturday and the title will be decided by points differential. Canada's points differential now stands at plus-50. But the Black Ferns will undoubtedly add to their differential, having thumped the U.S. 57-5 when they met in last year's Pacific Four Series. Canada improved to 7-0-0 all-time against No. 6 Australia. Canada dominated set pieces, pushing back the Wallaroos in the scrum and winning lineouts. The Canadians led 26-0 at the half and could have added to the lead, with another try called back for obstruction and handling errors ending other attacks. But the Canadian passing was silky-smooth for most of the game with the backs looking dangerous and hard-running forwards pounding the Australian defence. McKinley Hunt, Karen Paquin, Julia Schell, Laetitia Royer, Krissy Scurfield, captain Alex Tessier and Fabiola Forteza scored tries for Canada. Schell booted five conversions. Desi Miller scored Australia's try with Faitala Moleka adding the conversion. The two teams could meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals this summer in England. The game at Suncorp Stadium was the first half of a doubleheader, followed by a Super Rugby matchup between the Queensland Reds and Hurricanes. Canada had lost just one of its nine previous matches (7-1-1) while the Wallaroos had won five of their last six. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. The Australians were under pressure from the get-go Friday and Canada went ahead in the third minute with Hunt touching down at the back of a prolonged rolling maul after Canada stole a Wallaroos lineout. Paquin went over in the 11th minute after a powerful run by prop DaLeaka Menin for a 14-0 lead with Schell scoring in the 19th minute off another errant Wallaroos lineout. A Canada try off a rolling maul in the 25th minute was called back for obstruction. When the Wallaroos did make it deep into the Canadian end later in the first half, they were unable to penetrate the defence. Royet scored Canada's fourth try, earning the bonus point, on the stroke of halftime after Australia was penalized at the breakdown. The Wallaroos came out with purpose in the second half, only to see a try in the 43rd minute called off for a knock-on. Australia kept coming and Miller scored two minutes later. Canada added tries by Scurfield (48th minute), Tessier (52nd) and Forteza (72nd) to complete the victory. Another Forteza try was called back for a forward pass while Schell, looking to improve Canada's points differential, missed a penalty in added time when her kick hit the goalpost. The match was refereed by transplanted Canadian Maggie Cogger-Orr, a native of Markham, Ont., and former McMaster University rugby player who moved to New Zealand in 2014. All four Pacific Four Series teams are preparing for the World Cup, which kicks off Aug. 22 in England. The Canadians have been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada's next games are against No. 12 South Africa in Pretoria on July 5 and Gqeberha on July 12. Its final tune-up is Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Belfast. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with New Zealand before that. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada improved to 12-5-1 since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian women dominate Australia in 45-7 Pacific Four Series rugby win
BRISBANE – Defending champion Canada ran in seven tries en route to a lopsided 45-7 women's rugby win over Australia on Friday, completing an unbeaten run through the Pacific Four Series. The second-ranked Canadians must now await the outcome of No. 3 New Zealand's home game against the ninth-ranked U.S. on Saturday in North Harbour to see whether they retain their title. Canada and New Zealand went into the final round tied on eight points after their 27-27 draw last Saturday in Christchurch. But New Zealand held the tiebreaker edge over Canada — a plus-26 points differential compared to plus-12 for Canada. The Canadians (2-0-1) achieved their goal Friday by defeating Australia (1-2-0), scoring four tries for a bonus point and running up the score. A New Zealand bonus-point win Saturday and the title will be decided by points differential. Canada's points differential now stands at plus-50. But the Black Ferns will undoubtedly add to their differential, having thumped the U.S. 57-5 when they met in last year's Pacific Four Series. Canada improved to 7-0-0 all-time against No. 6 Australia. Canada dominated set pieces, pushing back the Wallaroos in the scrum and winning lineouts. The Canadians led 26-0 at the half and could have added to the lead, with another try called back for obstruction and handling errors ending other attacks. But the Canadian passing was silky-smooth for most of the game with the backs looking dangerous and hard-running forwards pounding the Australian defence. McKinley Hunt, Karen Paquin, Julia Schell, Laetitia Royer, Krissy Scurfield, captain Alex Tessier and Fabiola Forteza scored tries for Canada. Schell booted five conversions. Desi Miller scored Australia's try with Faitala Moleka adding the conversion. The two teams could meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals this summer in England. The game at Suncorp Stadium was the first half of a doubleheader, followed by a Super Rugby matchup between the Queensland Reds and Hurricanes. Canada had lost just one of its nine previous matches (7-1-1) while the Wallaroos had won five of their last six. Canada opened tournament play with a 26-14 win over the U.S. on May 2 in Kansas City. Australia lost its opener 38-12 to New Zealand in Newcastle, Australia, before bouncing back to beat the U.S. 27-19 in Canberra. The Australians were under pressure from the get-go Friday and Canada went ahead in the third minute with Hunt touching down at the back of a prolonged rolling maul after Canada stole a Wallaroos lineout. Paquin went over in the 11th minute after a powerful run by prop DaLeaka Menin for a 14-0 lead with Schell scoring in the 19th minute off another errant Wallaroos lineout. A Canada try off a rolling maul in the 25th minute was called back for obstruction. When the Wallaroos did make it deep into the Canadian end later in the first half, they were unable to penetrate the defence. Royet scored Canada's fourth try, earning the bonus point, on the stroke of halftime after Australia was penalized at the breakdown. The Wallaroos came out with purpose in the second half, only to see a try in the 43rd minute called off for a knock-on. Australia kept coming and Miller scored two minutes later. Canada added tries by Scurfield (48th minute), Tessier (52nd) and Forteza (72nd) to complete the victory. Another Forteza try was called back for a forward pass while Schell, looking to improve Canada's points differential, missed a penalty in added time when her kick hit the goalpost. The match was refereed by transplanted Canadian Maggie Cogger-Orr, a native of Markham, Ont., and former McMaster University rugby player who moved to New Zealand in 2014. All four Pacific Four Series teams are preparing for the World Cup, which kicks off Aug. 22 in England. The Canadians have been drawn in Pool B with No. 7 Scotland, No. 10 Wales and No. 16 Fiji. Canada's next games are against No. 12 South Africa in Pretoria on July 5 and Gqeberha on July 12. Its final tune-up is Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Belfast. Canada won last year's Pacific Four Series with its first-ever victory over New Zealand, defeating the Black Ferns 22-19 in Christchurch. The Canadian women had lost all 17 meetings with New Zealand before that. Canada also won the inaugural Pacific Four Series in 2021, when the event consisted of a two-game series with the U.S. due to COVID travel restrictions. The Canadians finished runner-up to New Zealand in 2022 and 2023 when the competition was expanded to four teams. Canada improved to 12-5-1 since losing 36-0 to France in the third-place game at the World Cup in November 2022. Four of those losses were to England, with the other to New Zealand. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 24, 2025
