Here’s a glance at three internationals played across Europe on the same day.
The three games:
Ireland v Australia, Italy v Japan and Scotland v Fiji.
While the big hitters, England and New Zealand, were meeting in London, six other nations had other pressing matters to attend to. WXV is doing a power of good in bringing less familiar opponents together.
Ireland v Australia
It’s a momentous year for Irish rugby; they celebrate their 150th birthday, and they don’t look a day over 21. To share the birthday cake, the Wallaroos came to Belfast on a rare tour abroad. They’ll be facing Wales next weekend. Gilbert had provided special balls for the occasion and the Girls in Green sported a commemorative kit.
The two teams face different futures: the Irish will fly to Vancouver, the Wallaroos to Cape Town, as they failed to retain their place in WXV1. The hosts were anxious to make a positive statement at the Kingspan.
They soon had two tries on the board. The Wallaroos defended stoutly, but a retreating scrum had to be penalised. It needed a sharp angled run from Aoife Dalton to get over the line. 7-0
When offered a penalty in front, Faitala Moleka did the brave thing, popping a kick into the corner. It paid off. The Aussie pack tried a maul; when it halted, they remembered the new ruling and released the ball at once. Maya Stewart scored their first try, cutting back from the right edge. 7-5
Ireland resumed their attack. Aoife Wafer took a short pass from Dannah O’Brien to drive over. 12-5
The Wallaroos looked nicely organised, but a long possession ended when Natalie Wright tried a tiny chip over the top. Dannah O’Brien caught it and sent a long punt downfield. A lesson learned.
A crucial moment just before the break: a careless bounce pass spoiled a long possession by the Wallaroos. Eimear Considine (now a mother and a convalescent from an ACL) put a boot to it and chased it into the right corner. A bit of a freebie.
Half-time 17-5
It took the Irish till the three-quarter mark to extend their lead. They built carefully, then hammered at the line. Eve Higgins was the scorer, looking more like a wizened forward than a skilful back. 24-5
There was plenty more to come. First Linda Djougang forced her way over for a deserved reward. Then an Arabella McKenzie kick out of defence turned into a rip-roaring run to the line for Wafer, her second.
Into the last ten minutes and Australia built a lovely handling move. Stewart was in for her second. 31-10
But the 150-year-old Irish had the last word: a pity that an outstanding combined move didn’t produce the last try, but a line-out drive did, Clíodhna Moloney responsible.
There are plenty of rough edges Scott Bemand will want to smooth out. Several release passes led to knock-ons. But the result was just what his squad needed as they set off to face stern challenges.
Jo Yapp may well be disappointed by the margin of defeat, but the sides the Wallaroos will meet in WXV2 could provide them with much wanted wins.
Result: Ireland 36 Australia 10
Teams:
Ireland:
15. Eimear Considine, 14. *Vicky Elmes Kinlan, 13. Aoife Dalton, 12. Enya Breen, 11. Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, 10. Dannah O’Brien, 9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe, 1. Niamh O’Dowd, 2. Neve Jones, 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Dorothy Wall, 5. *Ruth Campbell, 6. Aoife Wafer, 7. Edel McMahon (captain), 8. Brittany Hogan
16. Clíodhna Moloney, 17. *Siobhán McCarthy, 18. Christy Haney, 19. Fiona Tuite, 20. *Erin King, 21. Emily Lane, 22. Eve Higgins, 23. Stacey Flood
*uncapped
Australia:
15. Lori Cramer, 14. Maya Stewart, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 12. Cecilia Smith, 11. Desiree Miller, 10. Faitala Moleka, 9. Natalie Wright, 1. Bridie O’Gorman, 2. Ashley Marsters, 3. Eva Karpani,
4. Kaitlan Leaney, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Siokapesi Palu (captain), 7. Leilani Nathan, 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra,
16. Tiarna Molloy, 17. *Alapeta Ngauamo, 18. Lydia Kavoa, 19. *Tiarah Minns, 20. *Lucy Dinnen, 21. Layne Morgan, 22. Arabella McKenzie, 23. Biola Dawa
*uncapped
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
If you’d like to brush up your Irish, you can watch the full game on www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy_-dyM94qQ with Irish commentary.
Scotland v Fijiana
It was a splendid first meeting between the two sides in Edinburgh. They won’t meet in WXV, as the Fijians are off to Dubai not Cape Town.
The difference in standards was plain to see. The Scots are still on a roll; they completed a 59-10 victory.
But Fijiana are always a delight to watch; they almost scored at the start, Sulita Waisega just being bundled into touch. One of their central problems is their love of running rugby, here, Sevens played with a team of fifteen; the kicking game is not their style. It doesn’t really work that way.
Scotland dominated an early scrum and won a penalty try as white shirts pulled a maul down. Lisa Thomson, back from GB 7s duty, took a short pass from Caity Mattinson for a second helping.
To cheer the visitors up, Adita Milinia scored a long-range breakaway try on the half-hour; then Sulita Waisega added a second as the tea was brewing inside.
But by half-time (28-10) the hosts had established a comfortable lead, and fitness levels would tell their own story afterwards. Rachel Malcolm and Fran McGhie added tries, then the debutant Lucia Scott, went through adventures. She was on her way to the line when she was tackled illegally. Moments later she was in for her first international try.
As the teams tired, errors increased, but the Scots stayed in firm control. Rhona Lloyd and Thomson added further points, and Fijiana had to be satisfied with their first-half harvest.
Gary Heatly, our resident Scottish expert, reckons Scotland will soon find themselves elevated to fifth place in world rankings, their highest ever.
Result: 53-10
Player of the Match: Meryl Smith Attendance: 2348
Referee: Maria Latos (DRB)
Teams:
Scotland
15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Rhona Lloyd, 13 Emma Orr, 12 Lisa Thomson, 11 Francesca McGhie, 10 Meryl Smith, 9 Caity Mattinson, 1 Anne Young, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Louise McMillan, 5 Sarah Bonar, 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain), 7 McLachlan, 8 Jade Konkel
16 Elis Martin, Lisa Cockburn, Christine Belisle, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Leia Brebner- Holden, Helen Nelson, Lucia Scott
Fiji
15 Luisa Tisolo, 14 Merewairita Neivosa, 13 Talei Wilson, 12 Litiana Lawedrau, 11 Adita Milinia; 10 Jennifer Ravutia, 9 Evivi Senikarivi, 1 Bilita Wawake, 2 Kelei Marawa, 3 Anasimeci Korovata, 4 Mereoni Nakesa, 5 Asinate Serevi, 6 Nunia Daunimoala, 7 Sulita Waisega, 8 Karalaini Naisewa (captain)
16 Vika Matarugu, 17 Loraini Senivutu, 18 Tiana Robanakadavu, 19 Aviame Veidreyaki, 20 Alisi Galo, 21 Kolora Lomani, 22 Repeka Tove. 23 Ivamere Nabura.
Italy v Japan
The Azzurre were delighted to post a clear 24-8 victory over the touring Japanese in Piacenza. Last year they had gone down to them 24-25 in Parma. The Sakura had met the USA twice, winning one, losing one, to show the standards they can reach. Italy came a close second to Scotland in last year’s WXV2, so they can go back to South Africa with some confidence.
Nanni Raineri is treading a careful course between parading his strongest squad and introducing new blood. Today it was Sara Mannini in the centre. He was delighted to welcome back Michela Sillari after her serious injury which occasioned an English red card last March.
The Sakura took an early lead, thanks to a penalty by Ayasa Otsuka. But Azzurre strength brought them four tries against one conceded. Aura Muzzo was on the end of a neat passing move for the first, the second was even better; excellent links putting Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi over.
After the break a chip into the Japanese red zone by Sara Stefan worked perfectly. Ostuni Minuzzi again. The game was now running away from the visitors. Their eternal handicap of lack of poundage meant that only high skills and devotion to duty could build them scores.
They had their one reward when a determined attack brought an easy run in for Misaki Matsumura.
Once more, the entire game can be enjoyed on www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fSHyHeBca8
(with Italian commentary)
Result: Italy 24 Japan 8
Player of the Match: Aura Muzzo
Referee: Holly Wood (RFU) Teams:
Italy
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Sara Mannini, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Francesca Granzotto, 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan, 8 Elisa Giordano (captain), 7 Francesca Sgorbini, 6 Beatrice Veronese, 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Sara Tounesi, 3 Sara Seye, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 1 Silvia Turani
16 Laura Gurioli, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Gaia Maris, 19 Valeria Fedrighi, 20 Alessandra Frangipani, 21 Emma Stevanin, 22 Michela Sillari, 23 Beatrice Capomaggi
Japan
15 Sora Nishimura, 14 Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, 13 Mana Furuta, 12 Ayasa Otsuka, 11 Komachi Imakugi, 10 Minori Yamamoto, 9 Moe Tsukui, 8 Jennifer Nduka, 7 Iroha Nagata (captain), 6 Masami Kawamura, 5 Otoka Yoshimura, 4 Yuna Sato, 3 Nijiho Nagata, 2 Kotomi Taniguchi, 1 Sachiko Kato
16 Hinata Komaki, 17 Asuka Kuge, 18 Wako Kitano, 19 Sakurako Korai, 20 Kyoko Hosokawa, 21 Ayano Nagai, 22 Anan Seo, 23 Misaki Matsumura
