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Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Scott Bemand happy with how Ireland are shaping up for Rugby World Cup despite Canada defeat
World Cup warm-up: Ireland 26 Canada 47 Ireland head coach Scott Bemand admitted he is pleased overall with what he saw from his side during their two Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up fixtures. After coming from behind to claim a 27-21 victory over Scotland in Cork seven days earlier, Ireland were seeking to ramp up their preparations for the forthcoming tournament in England by recording another win against Canada at Affidea Stadium in Belfast on Saturday. However, Kevin Rouet's Maple Leafs showed just they are seen as one of the main contenders for the World Cup and they effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt by moving into a 40-7 lead with 25 minutes remaining. Yet before Canadian lock Sophie de Goede completed the scoring on the stroke of full-time, Ireland registered 19 unanswered points to provide themselves with plenty of encouragement from the game. READ MORE 'I'm happy with what we've looked at, I'm happy that we've come out of pre-season having tested a few things that we may need in the next, call it eight weeks. Now it's just about delivering it when the pressure truly is on,' remarked Bemand, who used a total of 30 players over the course of Ireland's two warm-up games. 'The work that we've done in the build-up to this has prepared us well for a test against a World Cup contender. There's a bit of a breeze here today, so there was always going to be points within that breeze. There's a learning piece about how we control momentum in the first half when you're playing into it. 'You look at momentum in the middle of the pitch that Canada managed to win and then that gives penalties. It gives entries into a 22 and they're a good team when they get those entries. That told on the scoreboard in the first half [Canada led 33-7 at the interval].' Ireland's Ruth Campbell is tackled by Claire Gallagher of Canada during the game in Belfast. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho In addition to Erin King and Dorothy Wall already being ruled out of contention before Ireland's preparation for the World Cup began in June, there has also been some concern surrounding the fitness of Edel McMahon, Aoife Wafer and Christy Haney in recent weeks. It remains to see if this triumvirate will be included in the final squad for the tournament when it is announced on Monday morning, but Bemand is relieved that Ireland emerged from Saturday's game without any fresh injury concerns. Although Brittany Hogan was replaced by Claire Boles on 56 minutes – a short while after receiving on-field treatment from the Irish medics – Bemand insisted this was a case of erring on the side of caution. 'This stage of going into a World Cup, you want to come out of these games intact. You want your players okay and we've come out of that relatively intact, so I'm delighted about that. Britt, it's actually nothing too serious. Just as you go through, you get the odd bump and bruise,' Bemand said. 'We retain the right to be a little bit cautious and take people off a little bit early. If this was a quarter-final, she could have stayed on. Britt's obviously a big player and has been the last two years. I'm happy with how our medics have operated. 'We are in constant communication on the sideline. 'Who's under pressure, who's got a niggle'. Where it sits, what it looks like for next week. We've plans put in place. We've got a small scenario and we can be a little bit protective here.' Down 14-0 in the first half of their eventual triumph against Scotland, Ireland found themselves adrift by the same margin in Belfast following converted opening quarter tries for Canada from Florence Symonds and Justine Pelletier. Ireland's Béibhinn Parsons scores a try against Canada. Photograph: Ben Brady/Inpho The hosts eventually opened their account when Béibhinn Parsons dotted down on 20 minutes, but even though their opponents had lost Daleaka Menin to a yellow card just before that, Symonds bagged a second converted try in her temporary absence. The returning Menin was then on hand to cross over after Ireland's starting skipper Neve Jones was sent to the sinbin herself and a stoppage-time try from Paige Farries ensured that Canada established a commanding 26-point interval buffer. Despite looking far brighter on the resumption, Ireland conceded a sixth try when Canada fullback Julia Schell was on hand to finish off a breakaway move. Yet the Irish finally enjoyed a purple patch either side of the third-quarter mark and Anna McGann did her chances of future selection no harm by bagging tries in the 59th and 62nd minutes. The aforementioned Parsons joined her fellow winger McGann in finishing the game on a brace of tries as she rounded off an extended attack on 71 minutes. But it was Canada who had the final say with a late converted score from De Goede. Scorers – Ireland: B Parsons, A McGann 2 tries each, D O'Brien 3 cons. Canada: S de Goede try, 6 cons; F Symonds 2 tries; J Pelletier, D Menin, P Farries, J Schell try each. IRELAND: S Flood; B Parsons, A Dalton, E Breen, A McGann; D O'Brien, A Reilly; N O'Dowd, N Jones, L Djougang; R Campbell, F Tuite; G Moore, I Kiripati, B Hogan. Replacements: C Moloney-MacDonald for Kiripati (31-40 mins); S Monaghan for Kiripati (h-t); E Higgins for Breen (52); E Perry for O'Dowd, C Moloney-MacDonald for Jones, C Boles for Hogan (all 56); E Lane for Reilly, E Corri Fallon for Campbell (both 66); S McGrath for Djougang (71). CANADA: J Schell; A Corrigan, F Symonds, A Tessier, P Farries; C Gallagher, J Pelletier; M Hunt, G Boag, D Menin; S de Goede, T Beukeboom; K Paquin, C Crossley, F Forteza. Replacements: S Seumanutafa for Tessier (24 mins); O Demerchant for Farries (26-30); O Demerchant for Menin (h-t); B Kassil for Hunt, E Tuttosi for Boag (both 52); O Apps for Pelletier, P Buisa for Paquin both (56); C O'Donnell for Buisa (60); S-M Lachance for Symonds (68). Referee: A Groizeleau (France).
The Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Journal
Ireland fall to defeat to Canada in final World Cup warm-up game
Ireland 26 Canada 47 DESPITE DELIVERING A spirited second half display at Affidea Stadium in Belfast this afternoon, Ireland suffered defeat at the hands of Canada in their second and final Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up game. Trailing 40-7 with just 25 minutes remaining in the contest, Scott Bemand's charges registered 19 points on the bounce to significantly lift the spirits of the Irish supporters that were in attendance at the home of Ulster Rugby. However, with Sophie de Goede bringing her personal tally up to 17 points in the closing moments, Canada emerged as comprehensive and deserved winners in the end. Following a 27-21 triumph over Scotland at Virgin Media Park in Cork last weekend, Ireland head coach Bemand made 10 changes to his starting line-up in advance of Monday's official squad announcement for the World Cup in England – which begins for the Irish on 24 August with a Pool C opener against Japan at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton. Before coming back to ultimately earn the spoils, Ireland found themselves staring into an early 14-0 deficit against the Scots on the Leeside seven days ago. Although they enjoyed some initial possession when Beibhinn Parsons earned a penalty off Dannah O'Brien's kick-off, Ireland subsequently trailed by the same margin with just 14 minutes on the clock. After outside centre Florence Symonds raced under the posts on 10 minutes after a relentless spell of attacking pressure, scrum-half Justine Pelletier broke away moments later for the visitors' second try of the action (second row Sophie de Goede was on hand to slot over a brace of conversions). While these were ominous signs for Ireland, they did gain a temporary numerical advantage at the end of the opening quarter when Canada's tighthead prop Daleaka Menin was sin-binned for a high tackle on Connacht flanker Ivana Kiripati. This was the cue for Ireland to establish some attacking momentum and when the ball was moved towards the right-flank on 20 minutes, Parsons regathered possession after initially being tackled by a retreating Canadian defender and proceeded to touch down in fine style. Beibhinn Parsons. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Ireland's prospects were further bolstered when O'Brien confidently split the posts from the conversion that followed Parsons' five-pointer, but this was as good as it got for the home team during the first half. Even though Canada were forced to withdraw team captain Alexandra Tessier for a head injury assessment, a second converted try from Symonds ensured Kevin Rouet's side had restored their 14-point cushion before Menin returned to the field of play. Her re-emergence coincided with Ireland's starting captain Neve Jones being issued with a yellow card by match referee Aurélie Groizeleau and the Exeter Chiefs front-row offered further breathing space to the 2014 World Cup finalists by driving over for their fourth try on 33 minutes. Ireland were back to their full complement prior to the interval, but with another intricate Canadian attack in stoppage-time leading to a converted finish for winger Paige Farries on the left flank, they trailed by all of 26 points (33-7) at the break. There was certainly a greater energy to the Irish play when the action resumed, helped in no small way by the introduction of regular team skipper Sam Monaghan for her second international appearance since recovering from a long-term injury lay-off. However, Canada maintained a potent attacking threat – exemplified by full-back Julia Schell's breakaway try 15 minutes into the second half. A fourth successful conversion from de Goede increased the gap between the teams, before Ireland finally hit a purple patch either of the third-quarter mark. Advertisement The addition of further fresh legs (including former England prop Ellena Perry for her Ireland debut) aided their cause substantially, but it was starting winger Anna McGann who got on the end of an elaborate pass out wide by full-back Stacey Flood for her side's second try on 59 minutes. Head coach Scott Bemand. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO McGann was becoming more prominent as the game progressed and the Westmeath native showcased her athleticism just three minutes later by sprinting through a gap in the Canada defence for an outstanding individual score. Having been denied a second successful conversion by the woodwork in the aftermath of McGann's first try, O'Brien made no mistake on this occasion as Ireland started to operate with a greater degree of authority. The Canadian rearguard were now being placed under sustained pressure by their Irish counterparts and after the play was switched from one side to the other, Parsons was left with a relatively routine task of crossing over to the right of the posts for her second try on 71 minutes. O'Brien added the bonuses once again to reduce the gap to 14 points, but this was as close as Ireland came to claiming a dramatic comeback win. With Flood in the sin-bin following consultation between Groizeleau and TMO Andrew McMenemy, the excellent de Goede bagged a seven-point salvo in the final minute to ensure their opponents will depart for the World Cup on the back of a 21-point reversal. Scorers for Ireland: Tries – Beibhinn Parsons 2, Anna McGann 2 Conversions – Dannah O'Brien [3/4] Scorers for Canada: Tries – Florence Symonds 2, Justine Pelletier, Daleaka Menin, Paige Farries, Julia Schell, Sophie de Goede Conversions – Sophie de Goede [6/7] Ireland: Stacey Flood; Beibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen (Eve Higgins '52), Anna McGann; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly (Emily Lane '66); Niamh O'Dowd (Ellena Perry '56), Neve Jones (Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald '56), Linda Djougang (Sadhbh McGrath '71); Ruth Campbell (Eimear Corri Fallon '66), Fiona Tuite; Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati (Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald '31-40 & Sam Monaghan half-time), Brittany Hogan (Claire Boles '56). Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds (Sarah-Maude Lachance '68), Alexandra Tessier (Shoshanah Seumanutafa '24), Paige Farries (Olivia Demerchant '26-30); Claire Gallagher, Justine Pelletier (Olivia Apps '56); McKinley Hunt (Brittany Kassil '52), Gillian Boag (Emily Tuttosi '52), Daleaka Menin (Olivia Demerchant half-time); Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom; Karen Paquin (Pamphinette Buisa '56) (Courtney O'Donnell '60)), Caroline Crossley, Fabiola Forteza. Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France). Written by Daire Walsh and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
The 42
3 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
Ireland fall to defeat to Canada in final World Cup warm-up game
Ireland 26 Canada 47 DESPITE DELIVERING A spirited second half display at Affidea Stadium in Belfast this afternoon, Ireland suffered defeat at the hands of Canada in their second and final Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up game. Trailing 40-7 with just 25 minutes remaining in the contest, Scott Bemand's charges registered 19 points on the bounce to significantly lift the spirits of the Irish supporters that were in attendance at the home of Ulster Rugby. However, with Sophie de Goede bringing her personal tally up to 17 points in the closing moments, Canada emerged as comprehensive and deserved winners in the end. Following a 27-21 triumph over Scotland at Virgin Media Park in Cork last weekend, Ireland head coach Bemand made 10 changes to his starting line-up in advance of Monday's official squad announcement for the World Cup in England – which begins for the Irish on 24 August with a Pool C opener against Japan at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton. Before coming back to ultimately earn the spoils, Ireland found themselves staring into an early 14-0 deficit against the Scots on the Leeside seven days ago. Although they enjoyed some initial possession when Beibhinn Parsons earned a penalty off Dannah O'Brien's kick-off, Ireland subsequently trailed by the same margin with just 14 minutes on the clock. After outside centre Florence Symonds raced under the posts on 10 minutes after a relentless spell of attacking pressure, scrum-half Justine Pelletier broke away moments later for the visitors' second try of the action (second row Sophie de Goede was on hand to slot over a brace of conversions). While these were ominous signs for Ireland, they did gain a temporary numerical advantage at the end of the opening quarter when Canada's tighthead prop Daleaka Menin was sin-binned for a high tackle on Connacht flanker Ivana Kiripati. This was the cue for Ireland to establish some attacking momentum and when the ball was moved towards the right-flank on 20 minutes, Parsons regathered possession after initially being tackled by a retreating Canadian defender and proceeded to touch down in fine style. Beibhinn Parsons. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Ireland's prospects were further bolstered when O'Brien confidently split the posts from the conversion that followed Parsons' five-pointer, but this was as good as it got for the home team during the first half. Advertisement Even though Canada were forced to withdraw team captain Alexandra Tessier for a head injury assessment, a second converted try from Symonds ensured Kevin Rouet's side had restored their 14-point cushion before Menin returned to the field of play. Her re-emergence coincided with Ireland's starting captain Neve Jones being issued with a yellow card by match referee Aurélie Groizeleau and the Exeter Chiefs front-row offered further breathing space to the 2014 World Cup finalists by driving over for their fourth try on 33 minutes. Ireland were back to their full complement prior to the interval, but with another intricate Canadian attack in stoppage-time leading to a converted finish for winger Paige Farries on the left flank, they trailed by all of 26 points (33-7) at the break. There was certainly a greater energy to the Irish play when the action resumed, helped in no small way by the introduction of regular team skipper Sam Monaghan for her second international appearance since recovering from a long-term injury lay-off. However, Canada maintained a potent attacking threat – exemplified by full-back Julia Schell's breakaway try 15 minutes into the second half. A fourth successful conversion from de Goede increased the gap between the teams, before Ireland finally hit a purple patch either of the third-quarter mark. The addition of further fresh legs (including former England prop Ellena Perry for her Ireland debut) aided their cause substantially, but it was starting winger Anna McGann who got on the end of an elaborate pass out wide by full-back Stacey Flood for her side's second try on 59 minutes. Head coach Scott Bemand. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO McGann was becoming more prominent as the game progressed and the Westmeath native showcased her athleticism just three minutes later by sprinting through a gap in the Canada defence for an outstanding individual score. Having been denied a second successful conversion by the woodwork in the aftermath of McGann's first try, O'Brien made no mistake on this occasion as Ireland started to operate with a greater degree of authority. The Canadian rearguard were now being placed under sustained pressure by their Irish counterparts and after the play was switched from one side to the other, Parsons was left with a relatively routine task of crossing over to the right of the posts for her second try on 71 minutes. O'Brien added the bonuses once again to reduce the gap to 14 points, but this was as close as Ireland came to claiming a dramatic comeback win. With Flood in the sin-bin following consultation between Groizeleau and TMO Andrew McMenemy, the excellent de Goede bagged a seven-point salvo in the final minute to ensure their opponents will depart for the World Cup on the back of a 21-point reversal. Scorers for Ireland: Tries – Beibhinn Parsons 2, Anna McGann 2 Conversions – Dannah O'Brien [3/4] Scorers for Canada: Tries – Florence Symonds 2, Justine Pelletier, Daleaka Menin, Paige Farries, Julia Schell, Sophie de Goede Conversions – Sophie de Goede [6/7] Ireland: Stacey Flood; Beibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen (Eve Higgins '52), Anna McGann; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly (Emily Lane '66); Niamh O'Dowd (Ellena Perry '56), Neve Jones (Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald '56), Linda Djougang (Sadhbh McGrath '71); Ruth Campbell (Eimear Corri Fallon '66), Fiona Tuite; Grace Moore, Ivana Kiripati (Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald '31-40 & Sam Monaghan half-time), Brittany Hogan (Claire Boles '56). Canada: Julia Schell; Alysha Corrigan, Florence Symonds (Sarah-Maude Lachance '68), Alexandra Tessier (Shoshanah Seumanutafa '24), Paige Farries (Olivia Demerchant '26-30); Claire Gallagher, Justine Pelletier (Olivia Apps '56); McKinley Hunt (Brittany Kassil '52), Gillian Boag (Emily Tuttosi '52), Daleaka Menin (Olivia Demerchant half-time); Sophie de Goede, Tyson Beukeboom; Karen Paquin (Pamphinette Buisa '56) (Courtney O'Donnell '60)), Caroline Crossley, Fabiola Forteza. Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (France).
CBC
02-08-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canadian women beat U.S. 42-10 in final home game before Rugby World Cup
Canada scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to dispatch the United States 42-10 Friday in its final home game before heading to Europe for the Rugby World Cup later this month. The second-ranked Canadian women extended their winning streak against the 10th-ranked U.S. to 11 straight games, but it took time to subdue a determined American side in a physical, frenetic contest before an announced crowd of 11,453 at TD Place Stadium. Rugby Canada called the attendance a record for a North American standalone women's rugby match. Canada has one more World Cup tune-up on Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Dublin. The team is scheduled to fly from Toronto on Saturday. Canada, which finished fourth at the last World Cup in November 2022, opens World Cup play in England against No. 14 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 9 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. The U.S. will play in Group A at the World Cup, drawn with No. 1 England, No. 8 Australia and No. 15 Samoa. WATCH l Shift in mindset in Canadian women's rugby 15s: One month out from Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 11 days ago McKinley Hunt, Gabby Senft, Olivia DeMerchant, Florence Symonds and Mikiela Nelson scored tries for Canada, which was also awarded a penalty try. Sophie de Goede, in her first start since having knee surgery, kicked four conversions. Julia Schell added a conversion. Freda Tafuna scored the lone try for the U.S. McKenzie Hawkins booted a conversion and a penalty. "Obviously a bit of a slow start for us ... but we came on strong in the second half and finished the job pretty well, I would say," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. The Canadian women have won four straight, improving to 5-0-1 this year. They hold a 29-19 edge over the Americans in the all-time series, having won 11 in a row since a 20-18 loss in July 2019 in Chula Vista, Calif. Canada, missing some of its top players, won 26-14 the last time they met, May 2 in Pacific Four Series play in Kansas City. Canada led 14-10 after a fast-paced first half Friday that saw a yellow card shown to each team. The Canadian attack was blunted by handling errors, penalties and some resolute American defence. De Goede returned to the starting lineup, after making a 20-minute cameo off the bench July 12 in a 33-5 win over the 12th-ranked Springbok women in South Africa. That marked the first action for the 26-year-old from Victoria since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the U.S. on the final day of a Canada sevens camp. Normally a back-rower, de Goede partnered veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row with Laetitia Royer nursing an injury. The Americans went ahead in the second minute, retrieving the ball of their own kickoff and launching a multi-phase attack that ended with Tafuna bulling her way over from close range in the second minute for a converted try. De Goede was sent to the sin bin in the 12th minute for an illegal cleanout of American centre Alev Kelter at the breakdown, forcing Canada to play a woman short for 10 minutes. Already trailing 7-0, Canada avoided giving up points while down a player, however. Canada pulled even at 7-7 in the 27th minute on a penalty try awarded by Australia referee Ella Goldsmith after repeated U.S. infractions during a Canadian attack at the goal-line. American lock Hallie Taufoou was sent to the sin bin on the play. Down a player, the U.S. went ahead 10-7 in the 32nd minute on a Hawkins penalty with Canada called for a high tackle. Helped by a U.S. penalty, Canada went ahead on the stroke of halftime as Hunt touched down for a try that was confirmed by the television match official. Canada conceded 11 penalties to the Americans' five in the first half. But the tables turned in the second half with 15 calls against the U.S. and just five against the Canadians. American wing Cheta Emba was sin-binned in the 42nd minute for a deliberate knock-down of a pass that snuffed out a promising Canadian attack. Canada kicked to touch on the ensuing penalty and Senft scored from the back of the maul from the lineout with the conversion upping the Canadian lead to 21-10. A de Goede try in the 59th minute was negated by an obstruction call against veteran flanker Karen Paquin. Canada got tries from DeMerchant in the 63rd minute, Symonds in the 65th and Nelson in the 75th as Canada's bench turned up the heat. The Americans were coming off a 31-24 win over Fiji on July 19 in Washington, D.C., snapping a seven-game losing streak. Canada is 15-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. Canada and New Zealand played to a 27-27 tie in May in Pacific Four Series play.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canadian women defeat U.S. 42-10 in final home game before Rugby World Cup
OTTAWA — Canada scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to dispatch the United States 42-10 Friday in its final home game before heading to Europe for the Rugby World Cup later this month. The second-ranked Canadian women extended their winning streak against the 10th-ranked U.S. to 11 straight games, but it took time to subdue a determined American side in a physical, frenetic contest before an announced crowd of 11,453 at TD Place Stadium. Rugby Canada called the attendance a record for a North American standalone women's rugby match. Canada has one more World Cup tune-up on Aug. 9 against No. 5 Ireland in Dublin. The team is scheduled to fly from Toronto on Saturday. Canada, which finished fourth at the last World Cup in November 2022, opens World Cup play in England against No. 14 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 9 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. The U.S. will play in Group A at the World Cup, drawn with No. 1 England, No. 8 Australia and No. 15 Samoa. McKinley Hunt, Gabby Senft, Olivia DeMerchant, Florence Symonds and Mikiela Nelson scored tries for Canada, which was also awarded a penalty try. Sophie de Goede, in her first start since having knee surgery, kicked four conversions. Julia Schell added a conversion. Freda Tafuna scored the lone try for the U.S. McKenzie Hawkins booted a conversion and a penalty. "Obviously a bit of a slow start for us … but we came on strong in the second half and finished the job pretty well, I would say," said Canada captain Alex Tessier. The Canadian women have won four straight, improving to 5-0-1 this year. They hold a 29-19 edge over the Americans in the all-time series, having won 11 in a row since a 20-18 loss in July 2019 in Chula Vista, Calif. Canada, missing some of its top players, won 26-14 the last time they met, May 2 in Pacific Four Series play in Kansas City. Canada led 14-10 after a fast-paced first half Friday that saw a yellow card shown to each team. The Canadian attack was blunted by handling errors, penalties and some resolute American defence. De Goede returned to the starting lineup, after making a 20-minute cameo off the bench July 12 in a 33-5 win over the 12th-ranked Springbok women in South Africa. That marked the first action for the 26-year-old from Victoria since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the U.S. on the final day of a Canada sevens camp. Normally a back-rower, de Goede partnered veteran Tyson Beukeboom in the second row with Laetitia Royer nursing an injury. The Americans went ahead in the second minute, retrieving the ball of their own kickoff and launching a multi-phase attack that ended with Tafuna bulling her way over from close range in the second minute for a converted try. De Goede was sent to the sin bin in the 12th minute for an illegal cleanout of American centre Alev Kelter at the breakdown, forcing Canada to play a woman short for 10 minutes. Already trailing 7-0, Canada avoided giving up points while down a player, however. Canada pulled even at 7-7 in the 27th minute on a penalty try awarded by Australia referee Ella Goldsmith after repeated U.S. infractions during a Canadian attack at the goal-line. American lock Hallie Taufoou was sent to the sin bin on the play. Down a player, the U.S. went ahead 10-7 in the 32nd minute on a Hawkins penalty with Canada called for a high tackle. Helped by a U.S. penalty, Canada went ahead on the stroke of halftime as Hunt touched down for a try that was confirmed by the television match official. Canada conceded 11 penalties to the Americans' five in the first half. But the tables turned in the second half with 15 calls against the U.S. and just five against the Canadians. American wing Cheta Emba was sin-binned in the 42nd minute for a deliberate knock-down of a pass that snuffed out a promising Canadian attack. Canada kicked to touch on the ensuing penalty and Senft scored from the back of the maul from the lineout with the conversion upping the Canadian lead to 21-10. A de Goede try in the 59th minute was negated by an obstruction call against veteran flanker Karen Paquin. Canada got tries from DeMerchant in the 63rd minute, Symonds in the 65th and Nelson in the 75th as Canada's bench turned up the heat. The Americans were coming off a 31-24 win over Fiji on July 19 in Washington, D.C., snapping a seven-game losing streak. Canada is 15-5-1 since finishing fourth at the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to England, with the other to No. 3 New Zealand. Canada and New Zealand played to a 27-27 tie in May in Pacific Four Series play. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025. The Canadian Press
