August 22, 2017
Canada Dominates Wales to Move to 5th Place Final Against Australia
Photo: INPHO/James Crombie (Canada team)
Doug Coil
Canada did not leave any doubt that they want to finish in fifth place at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017. That was not their original goal, but the fourth ranked team in the world was paired with the number one ranked New Zealand in pool play.
Canada jumped to a 26-0 lead at the break in the 5th place semi-final against Wales and extended the lead for a 52-0 win. They will meet Australia on Saturday in Belfast for 5th place. Wales will play Ireland for 7th.
Canada and Wales had previously met four times in the WRWC. Prior to their contest in this year’s tournament, the two sides previously met in 1991, when they played to a 9-9 draw, and in 1994, when Wales edged Canada 11-5. All three of their previous meetings were in pool play.
Canada v Wales Recap
Canada scored four first half tries, with Brianna Miller converting the first three, to lead 26-0 at the break.
Elissa Alarie scored the first try in the 8th minute from a 5 meter scrum. An apparent try after 15 phases by Olivia DeMerchant was disallowed as the TMO showed a knock on in grounding. One minute later, Canada dominated he Welsh 5 meter scrum and Brianna Miller’s increased their lead to 14-0.
Cindy Nelles added a try in the 34th minute and Elissa Alarie added her second try just prior to the break for a 26-0 lead.
During the second half, Canada added four more tries to beat Wales 52-0 and advance to the 5th place final.
In the 44th minute, Jacey Murphy blocked a clearance kick and grounded the ball for a try. Karen Paquin then took an offload by Andrea Burk for a try under the posts for a 40-0 lead.
In the 57th minute, Canada added a penalty try after a 5 meter scrum.
The final try came int he 74th minute as Barbara Mervin fended off two defenders for a try and a 52-0 victory.
Canada’s Roster v Wales: 1. Carolyn McEwen 2. Laura Russell 3. Olivia DeMerchant 4. Cindy Nelles 5. Latoya Blackwood 6. Jacey Grusnick 7. Karen Paquin 8. Kelly Russell (C) 9. Lori Josephson 10. Emily Belchos 11. Frederique Rajotte 12. Amanda Thornborough 13. Brittany Waters 14. Elissa Alarie (VC) 15. Julianne Zussman 16. Jane Kirby 17. Brittany Kassil 18. DaLeaka Menin 19. Kayla Mack 20. Barbara Mervin 21. Brianna Miller 22. Andrea Burk 23. Alex Tessier
Wales v Canada: 1 Caryl Thomas 2 Carys Phillips (c) 3 Amy Evans 4 Rebecca Rowe 5 Mel Clay 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Rachel Taylor 8 Sioned Harries 9 Sian Moore 10 Elinor Snowsill 11 Elen Evans 12 Hannah Jones 13 Gemma Rowland 14 Jess Kavanagh-Williams 15 Dyddgu Hywel 16 Kelsey Jones 17 Gwenllian Pyrs 18 Megan York19 Siwan Lillicrap 20 Shona Powell-Hughes 21 Keira Bevan 22 Robyn Wilkins 23 Jodie Evans
