August 9, 2017
Ireland Gains Narrow Win Over Australia to Open Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017
Photo: INPHO/ Dan Sheridan (pictured Ciara Griffin)
Doug Coil
The Ireland match against Australia was the closest and most exciting match of the opening day of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017. Ireland held off Australia in securing a 19-17 win.
Ireland had an early scoring opportunity as they advanced close to the try line before a knock on thwarted their effort. They did score the first try at the 20th minute as Larissa Muldoon went in after several picks and goes by the forwards. Nora Stapleton then concerted for a 7-0 lead.
Eight minutes later, Australia answered back after a quick lineout and quick hands to Mahalia Murphy for a try in the corner to narrow the lead to 7-5.
The remainder of the first half had both teams involved in some back and forth play, but the score remained the same at the break.
Back and forth play continued for the first 15 minutes of the second half before Australia’s Shannon Parry crashed over the line for a 10-7 lead.
Ireland reclaimed the lead six minutes later when Ciara Griffin powered her way over the line after several forward picks and goes. Nora Stapleton converted to give Ireland a 14-10 lead. Several minutes later, Sophie Spence added another try to increase the lead to 19-10.
Ireland caught the restart, but quickly turned the ball over to Australia at their 22 meters. Australia quickly capitalized as Hilsa Samoa powered her way over the line with three defenders unable to prevent the try. Ashleigh Hewson then converted and the score was 19-17 with 7 minutes remaining in the match.
An Australia attack created some tense moments at the end of the match, but ireland was able to whether the assault and preserved the win.
On Sunday, August 13, Ireland will play Japan, while Australia will play France, who beat Japan 72-14.
IRELAND: 1 Lindsay Peat 2 Cliodhna Moloney 3 Ailis Egan 4 Paula Fitzpatrick 5 Marie Louise Reilly 6 Ashleigh Baxter 7 Claire Molloy (Captain) 8 Heather O’Brien 9 Larissa Muldoon 10 Nora Stapleton 11 Alison Miller 12 Jenny Murphy 13 Sene Naoupu 14 Eimear Considine 15 Hannah Tyrrell 16 Leah Lyons 17 Ruth O’Reilly 18 Ciara O’Connor 19 Sophie Spence 20 Ciara Griffin 21 Nicole Cronin 22 Katie Fitzhenry 23 Mairead Coyne
AUSTRALIA: 1 Liz Patu 2 Cheyenne Campbell 3 Hilisha Samoa 4 Chloe Butler 5 Millie Boyle 6 Mollie Gray 7 Shannon Parry (captain) 8 Grace Hamilton 9 Katrina Barker 10 Trilleen Pomare 11 Mahalia Murphy 12 Sharni Williams 13 Kayla Sauvao 14 Nareta Marsters 15 Samantha Treherne16 Emily Robinson 17 Violeta Tupuola 18 Hana Ngaha 19 Rebecca Clough 20 Alisha Hewett 21 Fenella Hake 22 Sarah Riordan 23 Ashleigh Hewson
