MONDAY'S MUSINGS

(Credit - Canada Press)

GALS GUTTED

Saturday’s RWC Final with its 82,000 spectators was an outstanding exhibition of women’s rugby. Unfortunately, Canada met the English machine on a day when they were at their best.  Despite the twenty-point differential (covering the spread), the game was far from one-sided. In fact, Canada may have had a slight territorial advantage, with real opportunities in the second half in the red zone, only to come away empty-handed.  “Statistically, Canada showcased their attacking ambition on the biggest stage: they led England in metres carried (485 vs. 381), runs (176 vs. 91), offloads (13 vs. 4), passes (208 vs. 108) and rucks won (127 vs. 61). Hogan-Rochester was electric with two tries and nearly 100 metres gained, while de Goede once again led from the front with a match-high 17 carries.” (Rugby Canada).

Despite these attacking stats, 2.4pts - that was the difference between the points per 22-entry of England and Canada in the final. England’s defense denied Canada scoring and although the argument is often made that defense is more tiring than offence, it was not the case in this match as Canadian women kept having to run at England, only to be tackled.

Canada was ecstatically, first on the board, only to be answered almost immediately with a scintillating Kildunne break.  England then really set to work with their set scrummaging in particular, and their lineout work, preventing Canada from the “front foot”, quick offload advantage that they had in previous games.  This, added to great defensive line speed, found Canada desperately seeking a Plan B. The half saw the hosts with a 21 – 8 lead.

It was a hard match with no quarter given or asked.  Breakdown clear-outs were explosive, often seeing players off their feet or removing opponents with marginal “crocodile rolls”.  When England found themselves down to fourteen players and Canada pressing with time on the clock, they masterfully handled the situation, although I do think the Woman-in-the-Middle could have given a “hurry up” at times.  As close as it might have looked at 13 – 28, after Hogan-Rochester earned her brace with great hands and determined pace, to get to a two-score game, it was never to be.  England was all business on the day, and their play was such that they offered no chances for any upset.

It would not be a Ruggernut game report without any point of controversy! So, not to disappoint readers, I offer the following comment. It was hard for this pundit to be partisan, subjectively assessing two or three “advantage calls” against England from penalties, by referee Hollie Davidson, disappear mysteriously as play continued and Canada lost the called “advantage”.  There was one other occasion when, what seemed to me to be a cynical interception attempt, knocked down and play continued.  Captain Tessier even questioned the play. I am not questioning World Rugby’s Referee Award winner for 2025, it’s just that I have been watching referees in the Rugby Championship allow play to continue for some length before finally reverting to the penalty.

I was very impressed by Julia Schell’s super-human efforts to contribute to a try. Her stock will certainly go up following this campaign.  Paquin’s work at the breakdown was again huge. Hogan-Rochester, from the fields of Juan de Fuca, caused fits, and the work rate and effort by the Canadians was a true credit. How can one not credit a feat of 33 wins on the trot that England secured and their effort in pin-pointing and nullifying Canada’s strengths.  Congratulations to all the Canadian players, coaches and support staff in this amazing campaign.  Thank you.  Your example will yield wonderful fruit for the women’s game going forward.  Oh, I would be remiss in not mentioning those who could make the trek to England, parents and friends who provided vocal support for this spectacle.

(Credit - World Rugby)