WXV Global Series: England Draw With Canada as France and USA Secure Wins
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The WXV Global Series produced an action-packed weekend as England and Canada played out a 26-26 draw, while France defeated Australia 29-26 in a closely contested match.
New Zealand also recorded a convincing win over Scotland, while the USA came from 19 points behind to beat Ireland 40-36 in Dublin. Wales and Italy also opened their campaigns with wins over South Africa and Japan respectively.
Wales 50-19 South Africa
Wales began their WXV Global Series campaign with a strong 50-19 victory over South Africa in Cardiff.
The hosts made an excellent start and scored three tries during the opening stages. Courtney Knight opened the scoring before Sisilia Tuipulotu added another try following a strong attacking sequence.
South Africa responded through Felicia Jacobs, but Wales continued to control the first half. Seren Lockwood, Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones and Lisa Neumann all contributed as Wales took a 38-5 lead into halftime.
Tuipulotu scored her second try shortly after the restart as Wales extended their advantage. South Africa responded with tries from Maria Tshiremba and Maceala Samboya, but Wales remained in control.
Alex Callender added another try late in the match to complete an impressive performance for the hosts.
Italy 55-21 Japan
Italy also made a winning start, defeating Japan 55-21 in Fontanafredda.
The Azzurre scored early through Aura Muzzo and Alessandra Frangipani, but Japan responded with tries from Nami Asari and Asuka Kuge to briefly take the lead.
Italy quickly regained control and scored three more tries before halftime through Alyssa D’Inca, Vittoria Vecchini and Giordana Duca, taking a 31-14 advantage into the break.
Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi added another try shortly after halftime, marking her 50th international appearance with a score.
Italy continued to build its lead through Francesca Sgorbini, Margherita Tonellotto and Muzzo. Japan added a late try through Masami Kawamura, but Italy completed a 55-21 victory.
England 26-26 Canada
England and Canada played out a 26-26 draw in Exeter in a highly competitive encounter.
Canada’s Lizzie Gibson opened the scoring before England responded through Claudia Moloney-MacDonald. DaLeaka Menin then crossed twice for Canada, while England answered with tries from Hannah Botterman and Moloney-MacDonald.
The teams were level 19-19 at halftime.
England regained the lead in the second half when Bryony Field scored her second international try. Canada responded when Olivia Apps finished an attacking move created by Sophie de Goede.
Neither team was able to find a winning score during the closing stages. England remained unbeaten in 40 matches, although their winning streak came to an end with the draw.
France 29-26 Australia
France produced a strong comeback to defeat Australia 29-26 in Aix-en-Provence.
The match featured several disciplinary incidents, with France receiving five cards and being temporarily reduced to 11 players.
Australia took advantage of the numerical advantage and built a lead through tries from Brittany Merlo, Tania Naden and Caitlyn Halse.
France responded before halftime with tries from Anaïs Grando and Émilie Boulard, reducing Australia’s advantage to seven points.
Piper Duck extended Australia’s lead after the restart, but France continued to apply pressure. Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Elisa Riffoneau helped bring France back into contention before Riffoneau scored again with 13 minutes remaining.
Teani Feleu then crossed five minutes from full time to put France ahead, and the hosts held on to secure the 29-26 victory.
Scotland 14-66 New Zealand
New Zealand recorded a comfortable 66-14 win over Scotland at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.
The Black Ferns scored six tries in the first half, with Mo’omo’oga Palu and Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu among the early scorers.
Scotland responded through Evie Gallagher, who scored twice during the first half, but New Zealand continued to dominate possession and attacking play.
Justine McGregor, Elinor-Plum King, Layla Sae and Amy Du Plessis also crossed for New Zealand before halftime.
The visitors continued their scoring after the break through Amarante Sititi, Tara Turner and Sae, while Alena Saili completed the scoring late in the match.
Ireland 36-40 USA
The USA completed the weekend with a 40-36 comeback victory over Ireland at Tallaght Stadium.
Ireland made the stronger start and built a 19-point advantage during the match. Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald and Aoife Wafer were among the Irish players who crossed the try line.
The USA responded before halftime through Georgie Perris-Redding and Hope Rogers, but Ireland still led 24-12 at the break.
Ireland extended its advantage early in the second half, but the USA then produced a major comeback.
Kathryn Treder scored twice as the Women’s Eagles increased their pressure, before Hallie Taufoou crossed to put the USA ahead for the first time.
Freda Tafuna added another try, with Annabella Vogel converting to extend the American lead.
Ireland scored a late try to keep the contest close, but the USA held on for a 40-36 victory and completed one of the weekend’s biggest comebacks.
