The Semi-finals
Long before the semis hove into view everyone knew the tenth RWC was an overwhelming success.
In the week between the last eight and the last four the number of previews mushroomed. Every fashionable method of opinion-giving was used to the full. There were pundits everywhere you looked.
A few critics moaned at the identity of the last four; most accepted it as inevitable.
The Line-ups
Friday 19 September: Canada v New Zealand, KO 19.00
Saturday 20 September: England v France, KO 15.00
Both games at Ashton Gate, Bristol
I had a flutter of anxiety as I saw “tickets available” on the Thursday. I shouldn’t have worried; the ground was rocking both days.
The organisers did well to present the matches separately; each deserved to stand on its own, with the world watching.
Canada v New Zealand
It must be admitted that this game under lights was far superior. Indeed many people hunted for the right words to describe it. It was a stunner.
We’re used to RWC finals being called “the greatest women’s match ever”. This semi-final provided severe competition.
The first half belonged largely to Canada. They played with such pace and facility that the Black Ferns had trouble keeping up.
Taylor Perry got the engine running with a telling chip. Alex Tessier claimed it and off-loaded to Justine Pelletier. Her dummy sent Portia Woodman-Wickliffe the wrong way and she was over.
The Maple Leafs added three more before the break. Only a drive by Tanya Kalounivale got the Ferns off the mark. Faces behind the posts told a story.
Nor could the world champions turn the tide in the second half. They did add two fine tries, but the Canadians, forced to play in white today, were out of sight.
Result: Canada 34 New Zealand 17
Overnight, pundits wondered whether the winners of the second semi could possibly beat a Canadian team playing like this.
England v France
Seedings alone meant there was less drama attached to this latest crunch. The top-ranked nation was taking on the fourth; (the previous day it had been 2vd v 3rd). France hadn’t beaten the Red Roses on Albion soil since 2016.
The game was marred by rain, though the sun agreed to appear later. The wet ball helped to excuse the handling errors, but England did little in the first 40 to calm home nerves.
It needed a brilliant early run by Ellie Kildunne to restore a measure of confidence. But Les Bleues were playing flat out. Nassira Konde completed a fine move to produce a half-time score of 7-5 to the hosts.
The lack of tries pointed as much to nerves as to the conditions. The one consolation for the packed house was the strength of the England bench, an area that the French are still trying to emulate.
It didn’t help that four of their players were missing: Joanna Grisez and Lina Queyroi to injury; Manae Feleu and Axelle Berthoumieu to suspensions. The Berthoumieu incident proved to be the only serious infringement of the tournament – that was a relief.
Their absence added a sense of inevitability.
In the second half the Red Roses added 28 points. The French went on fighting to the end, but could add only 12 more points.
Result: England 35 France 17
The crowd were happy enough with the result, but it couldn’t hold a candle to the previous evening.
I shouldn’t have worried about the attendances; 25;478 turned out to watch the home team’s 33rd consecutive victory. But, far more remarkable; 24,392 had watched the previous evening’s game, a worthy indication of English people’s willingness to watch games not involving their own side.
It makes a striking contrast with gates in India for cricket’s version of a world cup that followed directly.
Now the pundits could dig their teeth into the vitals of the coming final. If Canada were to play at the same level as against New Zealand, could England possibly lose? They certainly hadn’t been at their best.
At least we didn’t have a repeat of the past two finals, the most familiar line-up of all.
But the Black Ferns can still claim England have never beaten them where it matters.
Seven days to wait.
