England Crowned Champions at Women’s Rugby World Cup
England triumphed in the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Saturday, after defeating Canada with a resounding score of 33-13 at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
The team led by John Mitchell achieved their thirty-third consecutive victory, a streak that extends from the final of the previous Women’s Rugby World Cup, three years ago. This match, witnessed by 81,885 fans, was the most important to date.
The Red Roses scored five tries, highlighting Ellie Kildunne’s impressive effort. Kildunne achieved an exciting solo try in the ninth minute, and England’s magnificent pack dominated the rest of the match.
Four of England’s five tries were provided by the forwards, including two for number 8, Alex Matthews. It was observed again how their scrum and maul subdued the opposition.
In defense, they were responsible for stopping Canada at a key moment in the second half, when the team leading the tournament took advantage of a yellow card for Hannah Botterman and attempted a comeback.
England defended their line with a 26-13 lead in their favor, and Asia Hogan-Rochester had scored her second try for the Canadians, generating fear of another possible World Cup failure.The Red Roses had reached the last six finals, but only won once. On this occasion, they kept calm and their defense against the fiercest offense.
The question of how England would handle the ghosts of the World Cup final was quickly answered, proving that it was Canada who struggled with the occasion, generally disappointing.
Apart from scoring a brilliantly worked try by Hogan-Rochester, they had little to celebrate in a first half marked by errors and indiscipline.
England lost a line-out on their own throw, allowing Hogan-Rochester to score, but that was the only mistake in their game, which led directly to points for forwards Amy Cokayne and Matthews.
However, Kildunne’s first try was the one that really ignited the first half, breaking the Canadian defense with a show of strength, using his footwork and speed to advance.
It was a try scored when it seemed England had nothing, although the trail of red shirts it left behind was also the result of a soft tackle.
Sophie de Goede’s penalty was all Canada could get from a sustained attack on the Red Roses’ line, and they seemed stunned to concede another maul try, although this one was disallowed for offside.
England’s attack continued in the second half with prop Botterman wreaking havoc up front, and Abbie Ward was next to score after a series of forward drives.
A Botterman was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Karen Paquin and Canada took advantage almost immediately, sending Hogan-Rochester to score her second try.
The Red Roses’ defense faced enormous pressure, but the Canadians couldn’t make the decisive run or pass, and it was the scrum that came to the rescue of the hosts on several occasions.
Canada had the momentum, but England finally escaped their field and showed their class by finishing the waves of attacks led by the forwards with a second try for Matthews, stopping the comeback and allowing them to lift the World Cup for the third time in the nation’s history.
