The Maple Leafs won their first match of the Pacific-4 Series against the USA 15-9. This was an expected victory, but the narrow margin shows how far the hosts have progressed under Rob Cain’s tutelage.
It was 3°C under lights in Colorado on a Monday evening.
The game moved into fast forward on 17 minutes, when Brianna Miller tapped a penalty 17 metres from her line to let her backs loose. They stormed down the left wing; excellent continuity saw the ball swing back across for the debutant, Renee Gonzalez, to finish strongly on the right. 0-5
The Eagles responded with a fine 40-metre penalty from fly-half Megan Foster (3-5), but she couldn’t repeat the dose from 10 metres closer in.
Canada showed technique and patience as they next threatened the US line. Forwards pounded and repossessed. The Eagles defended bravely, but after a good dozen phases the ball swung right for Karen Paquin to show and go over the line. It’s daunting news for opponents that she is back in the Canadian line-up.
Half-time: 3-12
Straight after the break Foster potted another fine long-distance kick. (6-12) She added a third from 30 metres out to narrow the margin to three points, but Sophie de Goede sent her own penalty over on the three-quarter mark to stretch the Canadian lead again. 9-15
Only five minutes left and the Eagles built a powerful raid to the line, but when they looked to be over, the TMO decreed ‘held up, no try’. You had to feel sorry for them at this point; the decision might have gone the other way and the position made the vital two extra points more than likely.
Games at this level become a matter of tiny margins. The USA are still handicapped by slightly inaccurate passes and faulty positioning that slow the momentum of an attack and let the defence regather.
Result: 9-15
It rarely happens that the two captains play for the same club, but this was the post-Russell era (no Laura Russell to lead the Maple Leafs), so Olivia DeMerchant (Exeter Chiefs) brought her side out against Kate Zackary of Exeter Chiefs.
There must have been good reasons why Sophie de Goede was listed on the bench, but Janna Slevinsky was most unlucky to sustain an injury in the fourth minute. On came de Goede and won the oPlayer of the Match award.
It was Blacks v Whites for the second time in two days, the Maple Leafs abandoning their usual red uniform. But this time the Blacks won.
Cain and Sandro Fiorino will be working hard between now and Friday to brush up on weaknesses visible here. Both sides have been starved of action.
The whole game can be seen via World Rugby at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgmBmhketew
Bring a muffler.
