Nations Cup Rugby – USA vs France Match Report

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:
Light rain failed to dampen the spirits of the United States and France as they kicked off for the final game of the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup at Fletcher’s Field in Markham, Ontario.

Due to poor weather conditions, neither side was able to complete their conversions as they had to rely on tries for their points. The dying minutes saw both sides gridlocked in the American 22 until a last minute try by France was waved away, leaving the game tied at 15 points apiece.

The game started off with France making waves through a series of quick hands and well-positioned players.

A breakaway run past the American red line gave France’s inside centre Celine Allainmat the first try of the game.

Soft hands by the American backs were intercepted by France several times, as a quick rush by American’s winger Victoria Folayan was stopped short by an offside whistle.

Despite the constant pressure, Les Bleus held steady and managed to push the other team offside by their five metre line.

The Americans scoring opportunities were wasted by knock ons and handling errors as the two sides battled through the sloppy conditions. A well-placed kick gave France some breathing room and a brief respite.

“It was tough at the break downs,” said American Head Coach Kathy Flores. “I think France was really strong [there]. We were a step out of our support so they were being much more physical at the breakdown than we were.”

Though the rain stopped to give the teams a chance to dry off, the Americans benefited the most from the break in play to regroup and find their stride.

Quick hands by the Eagles back line put the ball into Folayan’s hands for another try scoring run, this time out-manoeuvring multiple blue jerseys to go over for five points.

An equally determined France smoothly passed the ball in outside centre Caroline Ladagnous’s hands, but was cut short by a crunching tackle to the ground.

Half time was called as France made a last ditch kick from the 10 metre line for a shot to get ahead but missed the posts, leaving the game at five all.

The heavy rain struck again affecting the game’s flow with both sides struggling to string their passes together.

Recovering first, France charged into American territory as Allainmat put France ahead at 10-5, but the lead was short lived.

Not to be outdone, U.S. returned the favour with swift precision responding with two tries of their own. The first five points came from Lynelle Kugler who ran down the sidelines nearly unopposed, while the second came in similar fashion through the blistering speed of full back Christy Ringgenberg.

France’s Head Coach Christian Gallonnier was pleased with his team’s effort against the Americans afters struggling to find their form earlier in the tournament. “The Americans were organized and aggressive – they [came out] and got three tries.”

Desperate to tie the game, France advanced with quick hands that turned ended with dropped balls late in the game, placing the ball back into the opposition’s possession and into a U.S. led scrum.

From there, much of the game progressed in neutral territory, each team gaining and losing several yards to keep the game at a stand-still.

A break came finally came for the French as they switched the field allowing for hooker Celine Barthelemy to tie the match at 15-15.

As the clock wore out, France looked as though they had emerged victorious but the try was called back after a last second knock on.

The result saw the USA finish in second place and the French in third at the 2009 Women’s Nations Cup.