WOMEN’S RLWC2017 WRAP UP: ROUND 1

The day was opened in fantastic style, with dancers and flag bearers representing all six nations lighting up the field in front of a vocal crowd.

New Zealand v Canada

New Zealand and Canada began proceedings, and while Kiwi Ferns dominance would not have been surprising to the neutral, the fight and determination that Canada showed was nothing short of inspirational.

They trailed just 16-4 at half-time against a team with various World Cup’s under their best, showcasing what they can do despite the side only being formed in recent times.

The Canadian team has a Rugby Union background, and their ability to adapt to the 13-a-side (on the field) game was very pleasing for coach Mike Castle.

“We showed the potential that we’ve got, I think we showed that we can compete with the best in the world, certainly in that first half,” Castle says in the post-match press conference.

“Bearing in mind it’s our first real hit-out, we’ve had a couple of trial games and a few exhibition games and to put that performance in the first half is really impressive, I’m really proud.

“WE HAD A CAMP IN VANCOUVER A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND BETWEEN THEN AND NOW IT’S AN UNBELIEVABLE DIFFERENCE.”

New Zealand ended up running away with the match, largely thanks to debutant fullback Apii Nicholls-Pualau, who had a big job to fill the boots of Ferns mainstay Sarina Fiso.

Captain Laura Mariu concedes there is lot to work on, but gave credit to the Canadians as they mad a game out of it.

“We knew they’d come out firing, considering they’re new to the international scene they did really well to keep us in there,” Mariu says.

“They’re a rugby nation, so they were going to play with that burrowing style which we’re not used to as league players.

“Our error rate let us down, especially in the first half.”

New Zealand 50 (Hireme 2, Fotu-Moala 2, Maumau 2, Tupaea, Murray, Nicholls-Pualau tries; Nati 7 goals) def Canada 4 (Pakulias try)

Australia v Cook Islands

The Jillaroos put together a near-perfect first half performance to blow Cook Islands off the park in their opening World Cup match.

The home side led 36-0 at the break, before their defence was tested by a relentless Cook Islands outfit who crashed over for a moral-boosting try near the end of the game.

“We defended three or four sets there, and you could sense the disappointment when they let in the try.

“THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED AT 52-0 TO LET IN A TRY, WHICH SHOWS THE INTENT OF THIS SQUAD.”

That same try brought polarising emotions for the Cook Islands side, as it brought massive confidence to the side despite the lob-sided score-line.

Coach Ian Bourke, while disappointed with the score-line, was happy with the effort at some parts of the game given the circumstances.

“2003 was the last time Cook Islands were on the world stage, so it was pretty brave, I’m proud to be their mentor,” Bourke says.

“We should some promise there with some patterns of play and we need to improve for next time.

“They got together on Sunday, they’ve never had a training run together, so let’s be realistic about this, that was pretty impressive.

Australia 52 (C Moran 2, B Breayley, K Brown, A Brigginshaw, V Foliaki, T Quinn, I Kelly, N Davis-Welsh, M Ward, L O’Mealey tries; Studdon 4, Moran 3 goals) def Cook Islands 4 (C Schofield try)

England v Papua New Guinea

England battled jet-lag in their preparation and injuries during the game, but they put together a fine performance against PNG to start their campaign off on a positive note.

They fought the adversity of losing halfback Kirsty Moroney, and it remains to be seen if they will name a full-strength side in three days against the Jillaroos.

“IT’S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE, THE LAST WORLD CUP WE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM,” COACH CHRIS CHAPMAN SAYS.

“The physio’s are brilliant, they’ll do the job, the girls already know what they’re going to do, we’ll recover, rehab and have a look.

“That’s why you bring a squad, you can’t play a three day turnaround and not expect to use a rotation anyway.”

PNG coach Dennis Miall was happy with certain aspects of the game, but concedes there is a lot to work on as they prepare for Canada in three days.

“It was not what we expected, England gave a very tough game,” Miall said.

“We didn’t do the little things that we were supposed to do, and that let us down.

“We had the fire, we could’ve done more, and unfortunately the girls didn’t continue with what they were supposed to do

“I believe the experience from England got over our girls, and we let ourselves down.”

England 38 (Booth 2, Hoyle, Hardcastle, Stanley, Bound Sutcliffe tries, Stanley 5 goals) def PNG 8 (Kaupa, Oiufa tries)

Matt Buxton | @mattbuxton22 ‏
Rugby League World Cup 2017 Reporter

 

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www.rlwc2017.com