Nations Cup – Canada vs South Africa 35-17 Match Report

You can either view the at Scrumhalf Connection or go directly to the Ustream site here. Each match will also be archived and available at Ustream.

For full rosters and schedule of Nations Cup 2009, go here.
8/10: USA vs England Match Report
8/10: France vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: Canada vs South Africa Match Report
8/13: England vs France Match Report
8/16: Canada vs France Match Report
8/16: USA vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: England vs South Africa Match Report
8/19: Canada vs USA Match Report
8/22: USA vs France Match Report
8/22: England vs Canada Match Report

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from Rugby Canada:

Canada’s much anticipated first game was played against powerhouse South Africa in the fourth match of the Women’s Nations Cup, a five team senior women’s rugby tournament being hosted at Oakville, Ontario’s Appleby College.

In a five try victory, Canada gave first year coach John Long a boost with a 35-17 score line.

Quick to set the tone of the game, a penalty kick from Canadian Ashley Patzer put the hosting team ahead, followed by a breakaway run by Brooke Hilditch from the centre line to make a touch.

After another penalty kick, Patzer managed to dodge several players to get a try. “It was my first international try with the Senior Women’s team, so I was pretty happy. We came out flying, which was really exciting.”

Attempts by South Africa were swatted away by an unrelenting wall of red, as scrum after scrum were returned in equal force.

The first half ended with a near try by the visiting team’s Onica Maoga but her hesitant steps allowed Canada to stop the play just before the posts, leaving the score at 30-0.

It was in the second half that the home team faced their oppositions rallying strength.

“We always expect Canada to come out strong,” said South Africa’s Head Coach Denver Wannier, “We played a much better game than we played France in the second half. We started off slowly, but we managed to pick away at them.”

A penalty kick by South Africa’s Zandile Nojoko gives her team a boosted confidence, as they quickly used the momentum to drive into Canada’s defence.

The first try to come to the southern hemisphere team came from a 30-yard run by Nojoko, with a second try to follow by Lorinda Brown.

Number 10 Nojoko really stood out, said Canada’s Head Coach John Long. “I think we started extremely well. In the second half, their forwards really started to dominate around the contact area, giving their half backs a good opportunity to play.”

The game progressed quickly as each team strived to remain on top. “We were lucky to hang on,” said Long. “They came back and hit us very well and it showed.”

Canada plays France on Aug. 16 at 4 p.m.

Other countries in the tournament include the USA, England, France and South Africa.