Cymru v USA
Pouring rain in North Wales didn’t bother the Welsh pack who calmed any worries about the power of the American eight with a dominant performance.
This was a vital test for the Welsh. Could they continue their advance under the new, more positive conditions the WRU is offering? Yes!
The Eagles found themselves penned in their right-hand corner, Wales drove hard after a line-out and Carly Waters’ pass back to Tess Feury for a clearance fell across the dead-ball line. It never rains in Arizona.
Inside six minutes Wales had their first reward; it was Alisha Butchers on her belated return to full health who drove over.
That back row of Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis and Butchers packs a punch way beyond their combined weight.
USA got off the mark with a penalty by Gabby Cantorna from in front. (7-3) But once again the red pack dominated a set-scrum and hurled the Eagles rearwards.
Unsurprisingly they opted for a repeat each time they were awarded a penalty. They were held up first time, but then Keira Bevan offered a piece of conjuring to ghost over the line.
On 36 minutes Wales produced a phase of rugby their fans cannot have seen in years: magical handling of a wet ball, off-loads off the ground, tip-ons, innovative passes, all showed how their skill-range and confidence have mounted. The result was a magnificent try on the right by Lisa Neumann, fed by a perfectly timed pass from Jasmine Joyce. Great credit to the American defence for making the ball-carriers work so hard.
Half-time 19-3
The Eagles were a changed side on their return. The pack drove, the backs spread the ball, and the hosts couldn’t lay a hand on the ball. Result: an excellent try for Sarah Levy on the far left. A move to make a coach purr. (19-8)
Wales’ response was to stretch defences wide, then execute a perfect catch-and-drive from a line-out – try, Callender.
There was a pause as skipper, Kate Zackary had a leg attended to; it benefited her side. Freda Tafuda claimed their second try. (26-13)
There was controversy as doubtful collisions went in and argy-bargy off the ball attracted the AR’s attention, but Wales produced another fine movement through midfield. Sioned Harries, on at No 8, was stopped a metre short, but once more Callender was on hand to complete the job.
The result goes to prove the rightness of the pool qualifications. Though admittedly they had home advantage, Wales proved far stronger all round than USA who are consigned to Tier 2.
The card-count: a yellow for Freda Tafuda in the first half. Then late in the second half a far more controversial yellow for Atumata Hingano, who drove in low at Robyn Wilkins as she stooped to collect a skidding ball. Here the crucial matter was to weigh recklessness against mitigation. The verdict came down in favour of the latter. I wonder how World Rugby sees the case.
At least Wales had the last word. Harries completed another effective catch-and-drive to send her team into the WXV adventure with confidence.
Result: Wales 38 USA 18
Player of the Match: Alex Callender
Teams
Wales:
Jasmine Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (captain), Kerin Lake, *Carys Cox, Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan, Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis
Bench: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Sioned Harries, Meg Davies, Lleucu George, *Nel Metcalfe
*uncapped
USA:
Bulou Mataitoga, Tess Feury, Kate Zackary (captain), *Atumata Hingano, Sarah Levy, Gabby Cantorna, Carly Waters, Rachel Johnson, Georgie Perris-Redding, Freda Tafuda, Rachel Ehrecke, Hallie Taufoou, Keia Mae Sagapolu, Kathryn Treder, Catie Benson
Bench: *Paige Stathopoulos, Mona Tupou, Charli Jacoby, Erica Jarrell, Tahlia Brody, Taina Tukuafu, Meya Bizer, Eti Haungatau
*uncapped
Officials:
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Lauren Jenner (FIR) and Clotilde Benvenuti (FIR) TMO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Attendance: 1,948
Afterthought
There were interesting choices in the starting XV for Cymru: both Carys Phillips (hooker) and Robyn Wilkins (No 10) restored to favour. So once more Lleucu George, the fly-half of the Prem 15s champions had to warm the bench. Both those selections were proved right; Wilkins had one of her best games.
