SVNS World Series - Vancouver women
DAY TWO WRAP: We bring you all the Day Two women’s action from BC Place, Vancouver – the fourth round of HSBC SVNS.
On Day One New Zealand started fast, Brazil beat Ireland and Spain ended their losing run.
Quarterfinals
USA 10-12 Canada
An epic battle between the North American countries ended 10-12 to the host nation, holding off a late fightback from the USA to clinch their semifinal spot.
In a game that saw three yellow cards, two for the USA and one for Canada, Florence Symonds broke the deadlock and was the only scorer in a tense first half, the Canadians lead 5-0 at the break.
In a strange set of events yellow cards led to tries for both sides – Ariana Ramsey scored after Alex Sedrick went off for the USA, and Krissy Scurfield did the same for Canada just after Asia Hogan-Rochester went to the bin. Ramsey would score a second, but Alev Kelter missed the crucial conversion in the final moments.
Canada will face now face the rampant New Zealand in Sunday’s semifinals.
New Zealand 36-0 Spain
In another try-filled display, New Zealand easily dispatch of Spain and advanced to the semifinal stages by 36-0.
Despite a yellow card the defending champions kept Spain scoreless and scored six of their own to continue their title defence in Vancouver and their hopes of a first gold medal of the season.
Having scored seven in the final pool game, it takes their total to 24 for the tournament.
France 24-5 Brazil
After an early try from Brazil, it was all France in this quarterfinal, Joanna Grisez scoring a brace as the French took a 24-5 victory.
Brazil were the first on the scoresheet thanks to Aline Ribeiro’s try, but despite fine form in this tournament it was the French who then took control with two tries before the half-time whistle to take the lead.
With two more in the second it was procedural for the French, advancing to a thrilling semifinal clash with series leaders Australia.
Australia 35-19 Fiji
Australia booked their place in the semi-finals with an entertaining 35-19 win over Fiji.
The SVNS leaders powered into the game and scored a flutty of tries, Maddison Levi, Kaitlin Shave and Faith Nathan all scoring in a cruising first half display. Heleina Young’s replied early in the second, but Australia scored two more to secure their spot in the semi’s and a chance at redeeming their home loss in Perth.
USA 10 – 12 Canada
New Zealand 36 – 0 Spain
France 24 – 5 Brazil
Australia 35 – 19 Fiji
Ninth Place Play-Off Semifinals
Japan 24-5 South Africa
The South African women drew first blood with a busting run by Nadine Roos who shrugged off a couple Japanese would-be tacklers to get over the tryline for the first points for her team. The Brave Blossoms do well to respond immediately as the ball goes loose in their 22m and back into their hands for Saegusa who sprints a good 80m with no one able to stop her. Japan retain possession from a penalty for holding on and got the chance to have the last say in the first half.
They miss out on their chance as the ball goes loose for South Africa to stab the ball through but Japan do well to get back and force another penalty at ruck time to end the first half at five all. It’s Japan with the first attacking opportunity in the second half and they make the South Africans pay as Hara canters in for the first try of the second half.
Japan regather off the kick-off as Kajiki breaks a tackle as the space is there for her to score Japan’s second try in quick succession.
South Africa make no mistake off the next restart as they get the phases going from inside their half but another penalty at the ruck puts them again on the back foot. Japan keep the pressure and the ball alive for the elusive Yamanaka who steps a few players to score her first try of the tournament. It’s the last play of the game and Japan have this game in the bag but South Africa had possession in the last play of the game with a scrum outside their 22m. A couple of penalties edged them closer into Japanese territory but the ruck is where South Africa have been found wanting as another penalty for holding on puts an end to the game.
Ireland 21-7 Great Britain
It’s not the game that either team would’ve expected to be playing at this leg of the tournament as both teams are unable to keep possession early on in this game. Great Britain applied the pressure to keep the Irish women deep in their own half. They force the knock-on and are awarded a scrum just before the Irish five-metre line.
Ireland won the scrum and opted for the spectacular with a cross-kick well inside their 22m that found their player on the wing. Ireland moved the ball up towards the halfway line but Great Britain got the turnover and went back on the attack.
They were unfortunate to concede a penalty that gave Ireland the chance to set-up a line-out on the halfway line with a minute of the first half left to play. They won their line-out and Emily Lane broke the deadlock with a show and go off the ruck to score the first try of the match.
The energy shifted in favour of Ireland as Great Britain knocked the ball on at the restart but they retained possession from the scrum that caught the Irish off-guard as Ellie Boatman had the pace out-wide to score the first try for Great Britain in this game.
Ireland gave a strong response off the kick-off as they retained possession for Higgins to cut through the defence to score under the posts and to put Ireland back in the lead. Ireland got another scrum from the restart as the pressure was all on Great Britain which proved too much as Kinlan pushed a few players out of her way for Ireland to score their third try of the match.
Time was running out for Great Britain as they have the ball deep in their own half and needed to score quickly. They got a penalty and opted for the tap and go but with 10 seconds left to play, their only hope was to get a consolation try but some good defence awarded Ireland a penalty which they kicked into touch for the end of the game.
Japan 24 – 5 South Africa
Ireland 21 – 7 Great Britain
Pool A
Brazil 17-12 South Africa
Pool A’s first game. South Africa in their traditional green and gold while Brazil don a bright yellow with green shorts. Brazil conceded an early yellow card, however, it did nothing but spur them on as they managed a turnover inside their 22 and shot forward to get the lead despite being a woman down. Silva could have been not feeling all too bad considering her teammate’s composure after her card.
South Africa made a concerted effort to contest every ruck, finding success more often than not. Their finishing did not share the same success, however. Brazil did well to hold the South Africans back and weather the storm. With all hands on deck and the Brazilians braced for impact. They coursed a path through the South African defence as the hooter sounded, sending Costa as an envoy who was certain to deliver. Brazil went into the break with a 10-point lead, missing both conversions.
The second half started with an early scrum at the Brazilian 5m but nothing came of it for the South Africans. The ladies in green and gold continued their physical display but their brute force could not overcome the coordination of the Brazilians. They made use of their strategic superiority to manoeuvre through the South African defence again following a quick snap-up of the ball from a ruck.
With less than a minute to play, the trailing side pulls something special out of the bag as Roos backed herself with a kick from the halfway line. She sprinted to reach it before anyone else, including the speedy Costa, getting her team on the board. Brazil with another yellow card just before the hooter and Kochhann is the woman sent to the bin. South Africa does what they should’ve done with the first yellow card, and that’s capitalizing with points. A little too late for the South Africans but they showed heart. Brazil looked strong in the fixture.
Ireland 5-43 New Zealand
New Zealand with a fiery start as they secured a scrum at the 5m of the Irish and turned that set piece into points. Kaka’s try was not converted, but the Kiwis seemed unfazed as they found themselves in a similar position a few seconds later – scrum at the 5m of the Irish. The result was the same as the first set piece, although they did have to work a bit harder to secure their second try. The conversion was secured for the second try.
Ireland looked a bit frazzled as they attempted to string a couple of passes together in the midfield but their less than accurate passes allowed the New Zealand side to regain possession and break from the halfway to secure another try. Not even a minute after that the Kiwis made it over the line again. The hooter offered a moment’s respite for the Irish but they had much to do going into the break.
The start of the second half boded good news for the Irish as Parsons showcased some individual brilliance along the wing to secure the ball. She shot forward and touched it down to get her team on the board. Their celebrations were short-lived as New Zealand won possession at their 22m through the efforts of Blyde, who dashed the distance alone showing incredible pace.
The Kiwis displayed a dominating performance, never taking considering putting their foot on the brakes as they accelerated forward. They ended the fixture with a final say after the hooter, bagging another try. Utter domination by the Kiwis.
Results
Brazil 17 v 12 South Africa
Ireland 5 v 43 New Zealand
Pool B
Fiji 36-12 Japan
The first game of the Women’s Day Two fixtures. Both sides sitting on 1 point at game start. Fiji with a blistering start scoring eight seconds after kickoff. Japan was a bit indecisive from the early kickoffs with some lacklustre tackling as well. Young bagging her first 5-pointer of the competition in the fixture.
Japan required some punishment to get their groove as they enjoyed ball-in-hand only after conceding their second try. The Japanese slip a neat ball through the middle and eventually get their name on the board with one minute to play. Neither side showing clear dominance in the early minutes, mostly capitalising on each others mistakes. Japan with more to show on their unforced error scoreboard, however. Fiji bagged another try as the hooter sounded to pull further ahead.
Naimasi bags the first try of the second half for Fiji and Japan’s heads had a noticeable drop. Daveua followed up with another try and Japan trailed by a hefty margin. Japan had very little say in the overall flow of the game. Fiji came into their groove in the second half, sealing the deal relatively early into the second half. Japan does get the last say with a last-minute try from the counterattack, Hara the one to get her name on the scoreboard.
Australia 17-12 United States
The Eagles kickoff for an Australian side that looked hungry to leave their mark. Australia bodied the USA and tossed the ball around confidently in the opening minutes, stretching the defence as they went. The ladies in gold opened the scoring after a speedy break down the middle leading to a try by Caslick.
USA not rolling over despite the fervent attacks by the Aussies. They spent much of the first half in their half defending and trying to grind away at the Australian attack. At the sound of the hooter they managed to get a chance and it was all they needed to level the score. Unfortunately they failed to get in front with a missed conversion kick. Five a piece as they went into the break.
Play slowed down a fair bit in the second half until Nathan received it on the wing and shot forward to give her team the lead once more. They secured a conversion on their second try. USA matched their spirit to the aggressors and manufactured a lovely piece of attacking play along the wing to get a try and conversion. Rovetti the lady to bring it back for the USA.
Australia continued their physical display not shying away from contact in possession. They gave away a penalty with 30 seconds to play and the USA opted for a scrum. Nothing came of the set piece and it ended in a stalemate when the full-time whistle sounded.
The Golden Point rule saw these two sides clash again. USA were the aggressors as the whistle sounded but lost it at the 5 of the Australian side. That error saw Levi sprint the distance with an open field ahead of her to bag the win for her side.
Results
Fiji 36 v 12 Japan
Australia 17 v 12 United States
Pool C
Canada 22-5 Spain
The hosts were well supported and eagerly awaited by the crowd. The ladies in red were fired up and keen to show a strong performance for the supporters in attendance. After tussling and being held at the 22 for the first two minutes, the Canadians managed to break the Spanish defence twice in quick succession, Bermudez and Symonds the ladies getting their names on the board.
Spain were left breathless after the onslaught from not only the players, but the Canadian-focused support as well. The visitors did manage to regain their composure and kept the ball in hand well. Going forward looked like a completely different objective after being pushed back while in possession. Their patience paid off just before the hooter sounded as an inside ball to Stella allowed her to squeeze through a keyhole crack and shoot towards the stick to put it down for a Spanish try. A good showing by the visitors to overcome. The half-time score was 10 – 5 to Canada.
The second half started with Spain conceding a yellow card for a clear knockdown of a pass by Requena. The Canadians made sure to punish the mistake by securing another try. They missed their first conversion of the fixture, which is something they would certainly look to improve on going forward.
Canada most certainly made the home crowd proud as they showcased their explosive speed in the second half, orchestrating a superbly worked try shifting from one wing to another, cutting the Spanish defence apart. They end the game all smiles with a convincing win.
Great Britain 10-31 France
France secured a swift lead shortly after the kickoff with some controlled movements and alluring play. Okemba and Jason scored the first two tries for the French respectively. The French with a quarterfinal place already secured, but at no sign in this fixture did they take their foot off the gas. Great Britain were playing catch-up for most of the first half but they did eventually catch up as they put it down after a line out at the French 22m. Resilient effort by the contenders, but they turned off as the hooter sounded for half-time and allowed France through once more.
France were up 12 points as the second half started. They bagged another two before the second half reached the halfway mark and Great Britain spent much of their time defending and playing catch up. Catching up to the French was, unfortunately not in the cards for the contenders. The pressure was relentless whenever the French had the ball in hand, which was much of the time.
France and New Zealand were the two dominant sides of the final pool games, showcasing superior agility, intent, and finishing. The French did end the game with one woman down after a reckless tackle at the Great Britain 22. The scrum following the penalty showed the contenders out of their half, but no further. France pushed them back into their half and after much tussling and turning, they made use of their woman advantage to get a try more than a minute after the hooter. A fine ending to an otherwise one-sided game.
Results
Canada 22 v 5 Spain
Great Britain 10 v 31 France
