England secured their place in the World Cup final, showing grit to hold off a determined Canada at Eden Park.
The Red Roses were presented their sternest challenge of the year as amateur side Canada defied expectations to match their three tries in Auckland.The tournament favourites, who will be playing in a sixth straight final, extended their record winning streak to 30 games and face either defending champions New Zealand or France in the title decider next Saturday.
Canada couldn’t cause the ultimate upset – mainly due to Abby Dow’s superb brace – but for the first time in a long time they showed that England can be troubled.
The standout moment of the game was Dow’s second try. It was a beautiful bit of running rugby in the sun as Helena Rowland, a lively presence at the back from the start, drew in enough defenders, covering half the pitch and creating enough room for Dow to go over.
Reacting to the clip, one fan wrote: “Wow; what a try,”
“Terrific step and pass and then wheels, wheels, wheels,” commented a second.
A third said: “Abby WOW!”
England captain Sarah Hunter: “It was incredible, we came here to get into the final. Boy did Canada test us. It was a showcase for what women’s rugby is all about.
“Canada were relentless, we had to put our bodies on the line and we were desperate to get into the final.”
England centre Emily Scarratt: “We are buzzing. This is bucket list stuff, playing a World Cup final in Eden Park. There have been lots of bumps along the road but it’s one big last effort and we’ll be up for it.”
Meet the HAPs (that’s husbands and partners) who’ll be cheering on England’s Red Roses
THE entire nation will be cheering on the England women’s rugby team this Rugby World Cup.
But also shouting words of encouragement from the sidelines in their match against Fiji in their pool opener in New Zealand are the players’ supportive partners.
We take a look at the loved ones who could help the team to victory.
#1. Sarah Hunter’s boyfriend Nathan Smith
She has more than 120 caps for England and played in the victorious World Cup squad in 2014.
She is currently captaining England women in New Zealand. Hunter lives with her boyfriend, Nathan Smith, near Loughborough He is a coach at Doncaster Knights rugby club.