New Zealand and England looked a class above again at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, but another former champion, the US, were stunned by Ireland 22-12 on Tuesday.
New Zealand, the three-time defending champions, overpowered Australia 32-5 and England blasted Kazakhstan 82-0, and have yet to concede a point after two pool matches at Surrey Sports Park.
Ireland No. 8 Joy Neville finished a sustained attack on the US line in the sixth minute, but the US went ahead with a converted try to prop Jamie Burke. However, after fellow prop Farrah Douglas was sin-binned in the 30th minute, Ireland exploited the advantage with a try for fullback Niamh Briggs.
She could not convert her own try, but Ireland went into halftime confident and back in front, and extended it straight after the break with successive tries to Neville again and scrumhalf Tania Rosser off a quick tap.
The US worked over winger Vanesha McGee seven minutes from the end, but the inaugural 1991 champions could not find another hole in the Irish defense. Ireland’s win kept alive their hope of a semi-final spot, with Kazakhstan next, while leaving the US needing to beat the rampant English on Saturday to have any chance.
In other matches, Canada dispatched Sweden 40-10, France edged a close one against Scotland 17-7 and South Africa beat Wales 15-10.
Australia fancied their chances after beating New Zealand in the Sevens World Cup last year, but the Black Ferns demonstrated their strength at 15-a-side by attaining a bonus-point fourth try inside half an hour and effectively writing off the match as a contest.
Hooker Fiao’o Fa’amausili, winger Carla Hohepa and flanker Justine Lavea, twice, posted the early tries with the wind.
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