August 9, 2017
Canada Overwhelms Hong Kong to Begin Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017
Photo: INPHO/ / Oisin Keniry (pictured Magali Harvey)
Canada overwhelmed Hong Kong 98-0, scoring 16 tries, to open the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017. Magali Harvey was named Player of the Match based on her five tries and 41 point performance.
Andrea Burke opened the scoring for Canada in the 5th minute, and added another try prior to halftime. Another try came from Elise Alarie, two from Kelly Russell and a hat trick from Magali Harvey for a 46-0 lead at the break.
The second half continued the Canadian assault with eight more tries for a 98-0 win. Elise Alarie added her second try of the match, Amanda Thornborough scored two tries, Brittany Waters added one, Kelly Russell added one for a hat trick, while Magali Harvey added two more, giving her five on the day.
Hong Kong did contend in loose play at times and the 23rd ranked team can learn from what it takes to compete at the highest level, taking on Canada, the 3rd ranked team in the world.
For Canada, being in a pool with the second ranked New Zealand, means that both teams need to score points to advance to the knockouts.
On Sunday, August 13, Canada will meet Wales, while New Zealand plays Hong Kong.
Canada: 1 Carolyn McEwen 2 Laura Russell 3 Daleaka Menin 4 Kayla Mack 5 Latoya Blackwood 6 Jacey Grusnick 7 Karen Paquin 8 Kelly Russell 9 Lori Josephson 10 Emily Belchos 11Frederique Rajotte 12 Andrea Burke 13 Alex Tessier 14 Magali Harvey 15 Elissa Alarie 16 Jane Kirby 17 Brittany Kassil 18 Olivia DeMerchant 19 Tyson Beukeboom 20 Cindy Nelles 21 Brianna Miller 22 Amanda Thornborough 23 Brittany Waters
Hong Kong: 1 WONG Yuen-Shan 2. Karen SO 3. LEE Ka-shun, 4. CHOW Mei-nam (captain) 5 CHAN Ka-yan 6 Christy CHENG 7 CHAN Tsz-ching 8. Amelie SEURE 9. Jessica HO 10. Rose HOPEWELL-FONG 11 CHONG Ka-yan 12 Natasha OLSON-THORNE 13 Adrienne Garvey (vice captain), 14. POON Pak-yan 15. Colleen TJOSVOLD 16. SIU Wing-ni 17. LAU Nga-wun 18 PUN Wai-yan 19 Christine Gordon 20 TSANG Sin-yan 21 MAK Ho-yee 22 Kelsie BOUTTLE 23 CHOR Lik-fung
