Vancouver SVNS - Black Ferns cruise to victory
DAY THREE WRAP: We bring you all the Day Three women’s action from BC Place, Vancouver – the fourth round of HSBC SVNS.
Cup Final
New Zealand 35 – 19 France
The wait is over as these ladies as they passionately finish off singing their nations’ anthems. New Zealand got off to a dream start with the veteran Portia Woodman-Woodcliffe having plenty of experience in making her way to the tryline but the French wouldn’t give in so easily as they counter back with a try of their own. Michaela Blyde and co. picked up the pace for New Zealand as they looked to turn the screws on this game with a couple more well-worked tries, running the French ragged down the wing to lead the half-time score by four tries to one.
Just as we thought that the French would be able to get back into the game, New Zealand would have none of it to score the first try of the second half handing the player of the match, Portia Woodman a ‘Hatcliffe’ that proved to be the deciding moment as France got the last say in the game but would fall short to this power performance from New Zealand to crown them the champions with back-to-back gold in this series.
Third-place play-off
Canada 19 – 14 Australia
Krissy Scurfield got the crowd on their feet, breaking a tackle and scoring a try from the first play of the game for Canada. Maddy Ashby would oblige the Canadian challenge to run in a try for the Australians to set this bronze medal match alight with the score reading seven-all at half-time. The Canadians continued to play off the crowd’s energy into the second half scoring two well-worked tries before Australia could score one of their own with time left on the clock with it still being all to play for. The match ends in triumph and elation for the crowd as the home team closes out a historic win over Australia to bag themselves some silverware and a podium finish.
Cup Semifinals
Canada 7 – 15 New Zealand
It’s the women’s home side who are carrying the crowd’s aspirations of cup glory as they took on the formidable New Zealand. Canada got off to a rocky start allowing New Zealand to run in two tries before forcing themselves back into the game with a try of their own before the half-time hooter as three points separated the two teams. The Canadians would hold onto a glimpse of victory as New Zealand scored one more unconverted try in the second half but they just weren’t able to take their chances as a few unforced errors let the Kiwis finish the game on top and advance to the Cup Final.
France 21 – 19 Australia
It’s the No.1 seeded team up against the No.3 seeded team of the tournament as Australia dealt the first blow of the game with Madison Ashby breaking the line inside her own half to win the race to the try-line.
The French defence would bring them back into the game with their strong tackles forcing a loose pass to open up the space to draw level and then get ahead before Maddison Levi would score one back to make the game all square before the break in play. The second half resulted in both teams getting their third try but it was the French who pulled through in this match having converted their score to set up a final showdown with New Zealand.
Fifth-place play-off
USA 29 – 7 Fiji
The USA came out guns blazing as they ran away with game against the Fijians scoring 4 unanswered tries in the first half with Sara Levy bagging a brace as well as being prolific under the high ball retaining possession for her side off a couple kick-offs. The second half continued as the first as Fiji would score a constellation try after a yellow card going to the USA but just weren’t able to keep up with the American women who finish off their campaign in 5th position.
Seventh-place play-off
Brazil 12 – 15 Spain
It’s a contest between two much-improved teams on this SVNS circuit. Spain opened up proceedings before Brazil responded with a try of their own in their talismanic Thalia Costa. The Spanish would retain their lead going into the second half but with two unconverted tries, the half-time score would only separate the two teams by three points. A crucial penalty for holding-on would sway in Spain’s favour as they were able to dominate possession and close out the match with Brazil scoring their last try of the tournament in overtime but ultimately handing Spain seventh-place honours.
Ninth-place play-off
Japan 7 – 12 Ireland
It’s the fourth-seeded team against the 10th-seeded team. Ireland drew ahead early as Vicki Kinlan stepped her way on the outside to score for her team within the first couple minutes of the game. Marin Kajiki would find the space for Japan as well and put her side ahead to keep this match a close contest going into the second half. With two minutes left to play, Ireland trailed the game needing to find a way to the tryline soon. They found it through their player of the match Vicki Kinlan again as Ireland wrapped up the game to finish the tournament in 9th place.
Eleventh-place play-off
South Africa 5 – 12 Great Britain
It’s the battle for the wooden spoon as both teams have a lot to play for, fighting to stay out of the relegation zone, particularly for the South Africans. They started the game well by quickly getting off their defensive line to keep the Great Britain attack well within their own half but just couldn’t get any attacking prowess of their own to end the first half in a rare scoreless draw.
This was a short-lived feat as Great Britain would come alive with two swift runaway tries to put this game firmly within their control. It would be all too late as Great Britain let in a flurry of penalties to let South Africa finish the match with a try of their own through Nadine Roos but ultimately deny them the 11th place honors.
