World Cup 2021 : Round Three (Women's)

Canada 22-16 Brazil

It was a scrappy game throughout but the effort and closeness of the score kept it interesting. Canada was expected to be too good but it was Brazil who scored an early try. Canada finally got a try after 25 minutes which settled them but they could only manage a 10-6 lead at the break. 

When Brazil got an intercept try to take it to 10-10 and with a few minutes to go 16-16, it was proving far closer than pundits had thought. A last gasp try to Canada got them home. It was a relief for the Ravens and their only win. For Brazil, no win but morale boosting effort which should do something for the game back home. 

England 42-4 PNG

PNG came out very physically and got an early try to boot. PNG's aggression seemed to tire them, England weathered it and gradually started to control proceedings. Vicky Whitfield was outstanding in the England pack. 14-4 at the turn around.

England dominated PNG through the forward drives and the points followed. A tough encounter both sides needed. PNG needs more quality and not just reliant on hard hits. England needs to convert more of the chances they work hard to set up. 

Cook Is 26-18 France

The game started cautiously with neither side impressing. At the quarter mark, the Moana led 6-0 from a barge over try. Several minutes later, France replied with a try of their own, the first in the tournament. The Cooks replied immediately under the posts. France was struggling to contain the big Moana forwards. 12-4 to the Cooks at half time. 

Almost straight off the leaders extended their lead but a long range response from France had the score at 16-10. A couple more tries and the Cooks prevailed. The size of the victors was telling but France was gutsy. 

Australia v New Zealand (picture above)

Both sides excelled in defence and it took 20 minutes before the deadlock was broken, the Jillaroos the beneficiaries. It took another ten minutes for the Kiwi Ferns to reply and become the first team to score against the Jillaroos in the tournament. It would have been tied but a kick in front of the posts was a bridge too far! For two top sides, too many mistakes. Score after the first forty 6-4. 

The second half continued with sloppy play. Finally the Kiwis got ahead for the first time after 55 minutes, 8-6. Then the Jillaroos hit back just after 60 minutes to lead 10-8. That's how it stayed, two tries apiece so nothing in it. It was error strewn though, both sides guilty.