England Stays Unbeaten After 28 Matches
Women’s Rugby World Cup favourites England has made the semifinals after a big 41-5 win over Australia at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, yesterday.
Jay Tregonning’s side were unable to match the dominant England pack as they controlled the contest from the opening whistle.
They raced out to a 19-0 before some great hands put Emily Chancellor over in the corner for the Australians.
The Red Roses have won their last 28 games and showed their class to close out the game, with all seven tries coming via the forward pack.
They join New Zealand and France in the final four after their wins over Wales and Italy respectively, set to play either Canada or USA.
Both teams were met with conditions more befitting snorkelling gear as the rain pelted down at Waitakere Stadium.
Meanwhile, New Zealand set up a semifinal clash against France with a commanding 55-3 victory against Wales in Whangarei.
A male streaker is nabbed to the ground by women security officers during the quarterfinal clash between New Zealand and Wales at the Northland Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, on October 29, 2022. Photo: World Rugby
Woodman equals record
Portia Woodman who became the tournament’s record try scorer and Luka Connor scored two tries apiece as the Black Ferns crossed the whitewash nine times at the Northland Events Centre.
Elinor Snowsill missed an early penalty for Wales, whose only points came from the boot of scrum-half Keira Bevan.
“To come out here and see our supporters and families in the crowd, that’s what it is all about,” returning New Zealand co-captain Kennedy Simon said.
“We are just trying to draw a line in the sand and keep getting better and better each week.”
Wales knew they would have to take their chances if they were to record an unlikely victory and reach the RWC 2021 semi-finals, but Snowsill watched her fifth-minute penalty slide wide of the posts.
Less than eight minutes later, the Black Ferns opened the scoring as Theresa Fitzpatrick found Ruby Tui with a fine pass and the full-back popped the ball onto Woodman to score.
In scoring, Woodman equalled the Rugby World Cup try-scoring record, drawing level with former England star Sue Day on 19.
Results: Australia 5-41 England, New Zealand 55-3 Wales, France 39-3
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