The final round of matches weren’t without moments of drama and it all began with Canada vs South Africa. Canada came out of the gates from the first whistle and ran in four first-half tries. South Africa showed that they still had their fighting spirit and bounced back with a try by wing Marlien Cronje who chased down a clever kick by flyhalf Zenay Jordaan. Canada was again able to get through the Springboks defense, but it was South Africa’s Jordaan who danced between the defensive lines to bring the score to Canada 24 South Africa 10 at half time.
At the whistle to start the second half, those of us watching hoped for a tighter contest from South Africa, but our hopes were dashed. South Africa was low on fuel and the Maple Leafs drove in five more tries. South Africa did answer back with one try of their own, but the score stood at 53-17 at the final whistle.
Read Canada’s match report here.
Read South Africa’s match report here.
Watch the match video here.
Now we get to the real drama! Despite winning their first two matches at Nations Cup, USA couldn’t do enough to reach the Nations Cup Final. Early in the match England dominated possession and knockons from USA only gave England more control. England ran in two early trys from Ceir Large and Rochelle Clark. Both tries were converted and just like that, England had a commanding lead of 14-0. Not to be outdone, the USA chose to try for points at the 17th minute and inside center Anne Peterson didn’t disappoint. USA seemed to be knocking on the door, almost scoring several tries, but England’s defense was solid. England’s scrums were very strong throughout the match and they capitalized on their strength at the 30th minute when Captain Sarah Hunter touched down for the try. Finally USA was able to get on the board with a try when scrumhalf Jossy Tseng fed the ball to Stacey Bridges. The conversion went wide and the score was 8-21. The action wasn’t over as England’s Emma Croker added another uncovered try.
The second half was a battle of possession with USA’s Peterson slotting another penalty kick at the 58th minute. Shortly after Natalie Marchino scooted around the outside to score a much needed try, but England responded a few minutes later. With a few minutes remaining, USA prop Jamie Burke barreled over the line to make the final score 21-36. Even with winning their first two matches, USA missed out the Nations Cup Final by point differentials and England will face Canada in the Final. USA will take on South Africa for 3rd/4th place.
Congrats to Jamie Burke, who earned her 41st cap today!
Read USA Rugby’s match report here.
Read England’s match report here.
Watch the match video here.
The next set of Nations Cup matches are on Aug 10, 2013! Don’t forget that all the matches will be webcast (Watch Finals Day live from Glendale, Colo., on the Glendale Rugby website) & you can join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook by using #NationsCup.
View the entire schedule, results and available rosters here.
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OK, that is a great (non-opinionated) journalism piece. Now, let’s hear what you thought about the US game.
Ohh, that is a toughie. We felt like USA came out a bit flat and England came out ready to play. Missing Braaten in the 12 spot was big for us, but we understand needing a goal kicker on the pitch. Peterson is good, but just seems really raw, but she will only get better with more time on the field.
The choice to go for points late in the match may have been the right call for the points differential…but it needed to be understood that England couldn’t be allowed to score again!
Overall looking at the tournament, the team seems to have gelled well & we are liking the good work between the forwards and the backs. During the France series it seemed that the forwards were doing to much work, now the attack is more balanced.
The match against South Africa should be another good run for USA, I wouldn’t expect SA to be soft…they will come out harder than ever before.