The first group matches of the pool stages kicked off this weekend for the commencement of the Women's Rugby World Cup.
Pool C - comprising of Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and Spain - played in Northampton and York, with nearly sold out audiences at both. The Sporting News runs through the matches, results, key moments and what this means for next week.
Ireland vs Japan
Score: 42 - 14
Location: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Try scorers:
Ireland: Costigan, Jones, Parsons, Tuite, Higgins, Breen; Conv: O’Brien (5)
Japan: Hirotsu, Kawamura; Conv: Otsuka (2)
Player of the Match: Brittany Hogan
Match report:
Despite not qualifying for the last Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2022, Ireland established themselves as a team to watch as they beat Japan 42 - 14 in Northampton.
Ireland put on a strong performance right off the bat as Costigan scored in the 5th minute to start of the Shamrock’s World Cup campaign. The Irish demonstrated that they are an aggressive team full of options, as each of their six tries was scored by different players.
The stand-out player on the Irish side however was Dannah O’Brien, who converted all six tries impeccably, and kept the Japanese running back into defensive positions with her incredibly long kicks.
Japan impressed with their tenacity, coming back to the second half with guns blazing to score their second try in the 43rd minute. Both of their tries also went through many phases up front before finally crossing the line, further showing the sticking power of the Asian visitors.
It was nearly a much closer match in the final 30 minutes, as Japan were close to scoring their third try, but a slack pass allowed centre Eve Higgins to get the ball and run nearly the full length of the field to score for Ireland.
This was undoubtably the turning point and standout moment of the match, demonstrating the power of the Irish offensive ferocity.
However, it was not a perfect game from Ireland, as Linda Djougang was dealt a yellow card just before the end - a slip up that the world number five’s will be looking to crack down on before facing Spain next weekend.
New Zealand vs Spain
Score: New Zealand 54 - 8 Spain
Location: York Community Stadium, York
Try scorers:
New Zealand: Miller (2), Mikaele-Tu’u, Leti-Iiga (2), Ponsonby, Woodman-Wickliffe, Setefano; Conv: Holmes (7)
Spain: Fernandez; Pens: Argudo
Player of the Match: Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
Match report:
Reigning world champions New Zealand demonstrated exactly why they hold that title as they scored a raging eight tries against Spain.
They beat the Spanish side 54 - 8 in York on Sunday - a score that was even more impressive given that the Black Ferns played two players down for the last 30 minutes due to injuries.
However, it was Spain that began the match with the upper hand, dominating possession for the first ten minutes as New Zealand scrabbled with several handling errors and misjudgments.
It was not long though until World Seven’s Player of the Year Jorja Miller got ahold of the ball and went on to score two tries in as many minutes. New Zealand had found their feet.
A huge cheer went through the stadium as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe was subbed on after 50 minutes and scored, extending her lead as all-time leading try-scorer in women’s World Cup history.
However, several injuries from the Kiwi side - including Amy du Plessis who was rushed off clutching her knee - meant that the Black Ferns played with just 13 players for the last 30 minutes.
The Black Ferns didn’t let this stop their assault though, as Stefano stormed across the line under the post.
Spain made valiant efforts with their physical defence throughout, and managed to have the final move of the game, as Fernandez stretched across the line from a few metres out, adding to the points they had earnt in with a penalty from Argudo.
Spain also suffered some injuries, which are always unwelcome so early into a team’s World Cup campaign, as both Alba Vinuesa and Victoria Rosell Martinez were taken off the field.
What does this mean for next week?
New Zealand now leads Pool C with 5 points and 48 points difference, with Ireland in second place with 28 points difference. Japan and Spain both have 0 points, although Japan takes third place currently with a points difference of -28 to Spain’s -48.
Next week, Ireland will face Spain in Northampton whilst New Zealand battles Japan in Exeter on Sunday.
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