England Crush Canada to Win Women’s Rugby World Cup
If this were a movie, the scriptwriters would be shoo-ins for an Oscar, the plot centred on a dominant team who overcame the heartbreak of losing two back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals to complete an eight-year redemption arc and become world champions again at last by beating Canada.
Before Saturday’s final, England had lost just once in 63 games and that blot on their record stained everything. But no more. They are world champions for a third time and this one may taste all the sweeter for being played out in front of a world record 81,885 crowd at Twickenham. The result will leave an ever-changing impact on the sport in England.
It was just a few years ago when the Red Roses would run out to a few thousand fans who had stayed behind after the men had played. Now they are turning a profit for the Rugby Football Union all by themselves and delivering silverware in the process. The celebrations do not stop at Twickenham either, with an event at Battersea Power Station on Sunday.
Ellie Kildunne’s brilliant individual attacking sizzle will rightfully be in the spotlight once again with her efforts making the difference at times but Alex Matthews and Sadia Kabeya must share some of the sunshine. The No 8 is ever-consistent in an England shirt and showed up on the biggest stage with two tries, while player of the match Kabeya fronted up in defence.
Canada were expected to start fast and it looked like it until they knocked on to set up the first scrum. Both finalists boast an impressive set piece but England ate them up in the first instance. Back and forth went possession but a lost lineout saw Canada pounce and the first blood went the way of Asia Hogan-Rochester.
England responded well and after winning penalty advantage, Kildunne danced and twisted to the line in another phenomenal solo effort. Momentum is a crucial element to a final and for the next period it was with the hosts, even though they fumbled two attacks as the showpiece continued to be closely fought. However, just as the catch and drive undid them in the 2022 final, it was responsible for their next try through Amy Cokayne.
Tatyana Heard intercepted a ball next when Kévin Rouet’s side looked to be creating a promising attack and while Canada’s defensive set rendered plenty of penalties, they did prevent England from scoring. That was until Matthews, who won the World Cup in 2014, sniped after England went through phases following another impressive scrum.
Canada were in desperate need of points but despite continually knocking on the door, England’s defence was impressive particularly through the captain Zoe Aldcroft. Canada then won a penalty with the captain Alex Tessier pointing to the sticks with Sophie de Goede adding three points. At half-time the score stood at 21-8 after England had a try ruled out because of obstruction in the lineout.
Living on a prayer by Bon Jovi was the soundtrack and “oh, we’re halfway there” never felt as suitable for England’s supporters. Whoever scored first in the second 40 would land a psychological blow and the victor of that particular element were England through Abbie Ward.
Yet with the prop Hannah Botterman receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, Canada took advantage with Hogan-Rochester in again. The Red Roses were under pressure in the minutes that followed but a huge scrum got them out of trouble
Scrums were England’s get out of jail free card on more than one occasion in the closing minutes and Matthews crossed the line to reward the set piece success and seal the World Cup triumph. England received more plaudits before the trophy lift with John Mitchell winning coach of the year. Canada’s De Goede won player of the year.
Not a single Red Roses fan had left before England hoisted World Cup silverware for the first time in 11 years. Fireworks toasted the new world champions as the skipper Aldcroft raised the trophy high. The moment felt like a turning point for not only this England team but the sport as a whole. Before the final one question taunted England: Could they finally convert their dominance into the trophy? They answered that defiantly and are on top of the world again.