These runaway victories simply had to be expected. We have seen similar margins at many a World Cup of the past, and they involved far fewer nations than the eighteen contesting this brand-new WXV.

The disparities were shown most clearly in that second game. For all their recent troubles, the Irish showed far more know-how than their Kazakh opponents, whose union had stopped supporting 15s rugby after their last RWC appearance in 2014. And it showed.

As a glaring example: Ireland, in unfamiliar white tops and black shorts, needed less than two minutes to open their account. Playing with speed and efficiency, they found their way to the line through Christy Haney. But then we had a worrying indication of the Kazakhs’ unfamiliarity with the 15s game. Several of them started wandering forward after the try was awarded, as if they were still playing 7s.

That was merely the start of a torrent of tries. By a cute chance of fate, the two players to register four tries, Beibhinn Parsons and Eve Higgins, had both returned from the successful 7s squad to bolster Irish chances. Not to be outdone, Maeve Healy, Linda Djougang, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Grace Moore, Aoife Dalton (2), Brittany Hogan and Lauren Delaney all added to the harvest.

Another inevitability came when Doriane Domenjo flourished two cards, to Anna Chebotar and the skipper Karina Sazontova. Fortunately both were yellows.

Kazakhstan, known as the Nomads, were unfortunate to meet a top seed first up. Next week it will be Kenya, where they can hope to find their way into the game more effectively. Familiarity breeds success.

Did Scott Bemand feel any nerves? It’s just possible, but he’ll be delighted with this first showing of a renewed Irish squad.

Teams:

Ireland
1 Linda Djougang, 2 Neve Jones, 3 Christy Haney, 4 Dorothy Wall, 5 Sam Monaghan (co-captain), 6 Grace Moore, 7 Edel McMahon (co-captain), 8 Brittany Hogan, 9 Molly Scuffil-McCabe, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 11 Beibhinn Parsons 12 Aoife Dalton 13 Eve Higgins 14 Natasja Behan 15 Meabh Deely
Bench: 16 *Sarah Delaney 17 Sadhbh McGrath 18 *Collis 19 *Eimear Corri 20 Maeve Og O’Leary 21 Aoibheann Reilly 22 Nicole Fowley 23 Leah Tarpey

Kazakhstan
1 Natalya Kamendrovskaya, 2 Moldir Askhat, 3 Tatyana Dadajanova, 4 Anna Chebotar, 5 Darya Simakova, 6 Tatyana Kruchinkina, 7 Karina Sazontova (captain), 8 Symbat Zhamankulova, 9 Daiana Kazibekova, 10 Kundyzay Baktybayeva, 11 Alyona Melnikova, 12 Darya Tkachyova, 13 Lyudmila Ivanova, 14 Liliya Kibisheva, 15 Yeva Bekker
Bench: 16 Yelena Yurova, 17 Balzhan Akhbayeva, 18 Karina Tankisheva, 19 Yuliya Oleinikova, 20 Daria Kuznetsova, 21 Svetlana Malezhina, 22 Kuralay Turalykova, 23 Irina Balabina

Referee: Doriane Domenjo (FFR)
ARs: Ano Kuwai (JRFU) and Ella Goldsmith (RA) TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

Colombia v Fiji

Of all the romantic encounters in WXV the match between Fijiana and the Tucanes may have been the most appealing.

It took Mereoni Nakesa only three minutes to power over the line for Fiji.

Colombia responded with a fine attack, but as they tried to recycle in the shade of the posts, they were found guilty of holding on. On nine minutes the same, but worse; a knock-on stopped them just three metres from the line.

Fijiana showed their paces with a wonderful back-hand pass from the captain Sereima Leweniqila to set Vani Arei free to the line.

The Tucanes got off the mark with a penalty by their reliable No 15, Maria Arzuaga.

But Fiji’s power and pace put them right on top. Their full-back, Luisa Basei, had an acre of space to stroll into. So the game was all but over after 40 minutes.

Half-time: Fiji 31 Colombia 3

Sadly, the second half turned into a procession. Even when a searching long grubber into the left corner looked threatening, the Fijiana defence had it covered. Result, a free-running try at the other end by Adita Milinia.

Luisa Basei showed the value of a reliable place-kicker; she managed six conversions from the eleven tries scored by Fijiana.

Congratulations to Camila Lopera, the captain, on scoring Colombia’s only try. The one other contribution was a second penalty from Arzuaga.

This was our chance to appreciate what a threat the Pasifika players will become, thanks to the promise of more frequent test matches. The talent is there in abundance; they combine size, power and Sevens skills to a high degree. They just haven’t had the chance to express themselves regularly till WXV came along.

Result: Colombia 13 Fiji 67

Teams

Fiji:
1 Anna Korovata, 2 Bitila Tawake, 3 Karalaini Naisewa, 4 Doreen Narokete, 5 Mereoni Nakesa, 6 Merevesi Ofakimalino, 7 Sulita Waisega, 8 Sereima Leweniqila (captain), 9 Setaita Railumu, 10 Jennifer Ravutia, 11 *Iva Sauira, 12 Vani Arei, 13 Merewai Cumu, 14 Adita Milinia, 15 Luisa Basei
Bench: 16 *Unaisi Lalabalavu, 17 Tiana Robanakadavu, 18 Salanieta Nabuli, 19 Nunia Daunimoala, 20 Adi Fulori Rotagavira, 21 Evivi Senikarivi, 22 Salanieta Kinita, 23 Merewairita
Neivosa
*uncapped

Colombia: 15 Maria Arzuaga, 14 Leidy García, 13 Maribel Mestra, 12 Isabel Ramirez, 11 Juliana Soto, 10 Camila Lopera (captain), 9 Laura Villota Noguera; 1 Tatiana Delgado, 2 Camila Cardona, 3 Carolina Naranjo, 4 Paola Delgado, 5 Laura Gutierrez, 6 Valeria Muñoz, 7 Angela Alzate, 8 Valentina Álvarez.
Bench: Silvia Olave, Natalia Barajas, Gisel Gomez, Sara Velez, Tatiana Hernandez, Stefania Sarmiento, Luisa Fernanda Zurique, Angie Manyoma.

Officials:

Referee: Amelia Luciano (USA)
ARs: Adele Robert (BEL) and Sunny Lee (HKCR) TMO: Andrew Hosie (RC)
with thanks to rugbyreferee.net

This was just what the doctor and World Rugby ordered. A tight, exciting game played in a corner of central Asia that is rarely the centre of attention.

Kazakhstan deserved their narrow win.  They have been deprived of international matches far more than they wished.  They have competed several times at a World Cup, but only now can they feel they are getting back on track.  Their 4-point win means they will face Japan on 28 May to dispute a place in WXV2.  The loser qualifies for Tier 3.

They started well, the No 10, Diana Abisheva, dummying to gain ground.  After a fast recycle the ball spun out to the left wing where Amina Tulegenova crossed.  But they made a familiar error, offering HKC’s No 10, Aileen Ryan, a shot at goal that she accepted.

HKC were under pressure at the scrum but had worked on quick release to secure possession.  A line-out worked well for them; a peel and they were over to take the lead.

Another immediate error led to a quick set-back: the drop-out was fumbled, a Kazakh boot punted ahead and the TMO agreed the ball was touched down just before the dead-ball line. (10-8)

This wasn’t a harum-scarum game, but the handling wasn’t efficient enough to keep possession and build confidence.  Defences were strong on both sides, but ball-carriers kept on hammering at the opposition.

One recurrent weakness was the height of tackes.  One such gave Ryan a second penalty, but the referee felt in her pocket only once to signal a yellow.

As the break approached, Kazakhstan wisely opted for a set-scrum at a penalty. They heaved ad heaved and were over.

For a third time, indiscretion paid the price. Anther high tackle by a Kazakh allowed HKC to return inside only one point down.

Half time 17-16

Would HRC’s greater big-match experience decide the issue? They had made recent tours, while the pale blue-shirted Kazakhs had been kicking their heels.

Not to start with! On three minutes Kazakhstan put together a quality move, finished on the far left with a flourish. They built another promising move, but when a few more quick recycles might have brought another score, they slowed down, leaving the ball at the rear of a ruck, just as if they were a men’s test team.

No matter, after two successive penalties took them close, a clean line-out a quick peel brought a fourth try. (27-16)  A lack of game awareness prevented them from consolidating this promising lead, but the crowd was roaring them on (KA-ZAKH-STAN!)

Suddenly the HKC captain, Natasha Olson-Thorne, was set free on the right and raced over.  (27-23) There were still 20 minutes to play, so both teams had to concentrate on effective choices of play: coaches had to make the right calls for replacements.

For most of that final quarter the home team were on top, but they could afford no errors.  Suddenly Mariya Grishina put up a high kick.  It was caught, but the follow-up was rapid, and left the visitors hanging on for all they were worth.  But powerful tackling did hold up, much to their credit.

As the final whistle blew, the Kazakhs were still pounding the line, so to that extent they can claim they thoroughly deserved their win.

They will need to be at their best again the Japanese, who play an ultra-quick game, with searching combinations and sound defence.  But the Kazakhs can take great credit from this rare home game.

Result: Kazakhstan 27 Hong kong China 23

Teams

Kazakhstan

Yurova, Kim, Kamendrovskaya, Kazibekova, Zhamankulova, Kibisheva, Pichugina, Sanzontova, Grishina, Abisheva, Stepanyuga, Melnikova, Sherer, Tulegenova, Bakytbek

Bench: Tankisheva, Askhat, Simakova, Malezhina, Alayeva, Drobovskaya, Odnoletok, Melnikova

Hong Kong, China

Ng, Lam, Lee, Turner, Chow, Pun, Li, T.Lam, Ho, Ryan, Chong, Qian, Olson-Thorne, Nam, Wright

Bench: Got, Chan, Richardson, Baltazar, Au Yeung, Au, Fung, Z. Smith

Not only did they stand eleven places below their opponents, but their No 8, Maribel Mestra, was shown a red card barely 14 minutes from the start. As her opponent tried to field a high kick, she launched into her with no sign of an attempted charge-down.

But by then Las Tucanes had already taken the upper hand, driving fiercely at the set-scrum and threatening the Kazakh line. The sisters, Leidy and Juliana Soto, might both have crossed, but for stern defence and an inaccurate pass.

Two minutes before the card Kat Roche awarded one of many penalties against the Kazakhs for not rolling away. Maria Arzuaga resumed her points-scoring heroics with a fine kick – she had scored all her side’s points in Nairobi.

The relatively low scoring in the game was the result of many unforced errors. Kazakhstan worked hard at the breakdown, but hardly ever realigned their runners to stretch defences. Instead, it was a one-out pass from the ruck and another arm-wrestle.

Colombia showed much more cohesion but found the defensive line hard to break down. On 34 minutes Kazakhstan lost their skipper, Yelena Yurova, to a yellow card, and they paid the penalty, the Tucanes scoring thanks to good work by Juliana Soto who got over in the corner.

Half-time: Kazakhstan 0 Colombia 8

So despite their one-player advantage for most of the first 40, the Kazakhs came empty away. They renewed their efforts and threatened the line, but a final pass was deemed forward.

They did get on the scoreboard, thanks to their No 9 Nigora Nurmatova. (5-8) But still they couldn’t take decisive advantage of the player advantage. Time and again alignment and handling were faulty, meaning more hard work for the pack to regain possession.

Colombia earned the right to take the game away from the Kazakhs in the final minutes. They kept them in their own half till Arzuaga was on the end of a fine move. She forced her way over to give her side breathing space.

Tension mounted again as Daiana Kazibekova drove through a ruck to score. The officials took their time deciding all was in order, but it was. (10-15)

The Tucanes showed great application by finishing the game inside their opponents’ 22, and sure enough, Arzuaga was on hand to add a final penalty.

The Kazakhs paid heavily for their lack of rugby, both club and international, over so long a period. It’s a sad end for them.

Result: Kazakhstan 10 Colombia 18
Player of the Match: Andrea Ramirez
Next Stop: Scotland v Colombia 25 February, Dubai

Congratulations once more to World Rugby for getting this game staged and to the two squads and their staffs for coming through such tough conditions to reach this point. It’s hard to imagine a more exotic set-up for a World Cup match, two teams from far-flung continents meeting up on a green pitch in the middle of a desert.
Colombia are the proud owners of a 100% winning record in internationals. They’ve beaten Brazil twice, then Kenya and now Kazakhstan.

Officials:
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
ARs: Amber McLachlan (Aus) & Shanda Assmus (Can)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

The Lionesses secured qualification to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with victory over Wales on Friday evening and now face Kazakhstan in their final group match.

And head coach Phil Neville has named his starting XI for tomorrow’s match in Pavlodar.

Gabby George, Lucy Staniforth and Lauren Bruton are set to earn their maiden caps while Mary Earps, Hannah Blundell, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson will make their first starts.

Neville said: “There’s so much depth of talent now in the women’s game in England.

“I’m determined to give youngsters the opportunities to progress through the ranks. It’s vital that we provide younger players with a clear pathway through to the senior team, and it’s a huge positive for the future of the Lionesses too.

“They’ve earned it, they deserve it and regardless of the result against Wales this was always part of our long-term plan.

“We’re all looking forward to the game.”

England starting XI:

Mary Earps, Hannah Blundell, Leah Williamson, Abbie McManus, Gabby George, Keira Walsh, Isobel Christiansen, Lucy Staniforth, Lauren Bruton, Rachel Daly, Beth Mead.

Courtesy of The FA