Italy v Wales Cape Town These two sides were the tail-end Charlottes of the Six Nations. Games between them tend to be close and low-scoring. This one was close, low-scoring and tense beyond measure. Let me transport you first to the closing stages. Italy had been in the lead since early in the second half,
Allan Bunting has named his side to play England on Sunday: 1. Chryss Viliko 2. Georgia Ponsonby 3. Tanya Kalounivale 4. Alana Bremner 5.Maiakawanakaulani Roos 6. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 7. Kennedy Tukuafu (nee Simon) (co-captain) 8. Kaipo Olsen-Baker 9. Maia Joseph 10. Hannah King 11. Katelyn Vahaakolo 12. Ruahei Demant (co-captain) 13. Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i (Sylvia) Brunt
That’s a washing-line of letters, or rather, two acronyms that now clash annoyingly. Susie Appleby of Exeter Chiefs voices her complaint about the way the PWR schedule has been implemented, but she might have spoken out when it was first announced months ago. Like the other eight DoRs, she has known this impasse would occur.
Round Two of WXV1 sees the old foes meet up again. They met barely three weeks ago in outer London, the hosts winning 24-12. John Mitchell has announced his team: 15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 ROWLAND 12 HEARD 11 BREACH 10 AITCHISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 ALDCROFT 5 WARD 6
This is one WXV game you might wish wasn’t taking place. After all, the two teams meet every year in the Six Nations, but the tournament’s structures aren’t yet perfect. The head coaches have announced their squads: Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Michela Sillari 12 Beatrice Rigoni 11 Francesca Grantzotto 10
First the fixtures: (BST times) WXV1 Saturday, 5 October United States v France (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 20:30) Canada v Ireland (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 23:45) Sunday, 6 October New Zealand v England (Langley Event Centre, Langley, 21:00) WXV2 Friday, 4 October Wales v Italy (Athlone Sports Stadium, Cape Town, 15:00) Saturday, 5 October Japan
The first round of a new WXV has seen plenty of excitement, headed by that sure-fire winner, the giant-killing act. Ireland stand in the spotlight, gaining an unforgettable victory over the world champions, the Black Ferns. Here’s a brief summary of results: Tier One: USA 21 England 61 France 24 Canada 46 New Zealand 27
Netherlands v Samoa – WXV3 This match set the 16th ranked (NL) versus the 18th (Manusina) under lights. It was to become one of the most memorable WXV matches yet played. Against expectations the Oranjes drove the first Manusina scrum. From their own scrum they built a beautiful handling movement that saw Linneke Gevers cross
Italy v Scotland – WXV2 DHL Stadium, Cape Town As soon as the Scots got hold of the ball, you could sense their confidence. Instant decisions were correctly made, pass, hold, drive, check. Six minutes in and Beatrice Veronese didn’t release after a tackle. It was right under the Italian posts, and Rachel Malcolm called
Big Worries for Cymru After some unfamiliar line-ups yesterday for European viewers, there were three much better known today. And the Wallaroos had played Cymru only last week in Newport. Here’s the first game. Australia v Wales A second quirk of the scheduling: the two sides demoted from WXV1 started proceedings in Cape Town on
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