LONDON:
The Girls’s Rugby World Cup reaches the quarter-final stage this weekend, with 4 clashes between outdated rivals.
Champions New Zealand face South Africa in Exeter on Saturday whereas Canada play Australia in Bristol.
Sunday belongs to Europe, with France up in opposition to Eire earlier than match hosts and favourites England tackle Scotland.
Under AFP Sport appears to be like at a few of the speaking factors because the World Cup enters the knockout part.
New Zealand v South Africa
New Zealand are going through a Springbok workforce who’re into their first quarter-final at this degree — a marked distinction to South Africa’s report four-time males’s world champions.
The Black Ferns are the queens of ladies’s rugby, with a report six World Cup titles to their credit score, and something apart from a New Zealand win this weekend will represent a colossal upset.
New Zealand go into this recreation on the again of a 40-0 drubbing of Eire, whereas South Africa had been thrashed 57-10 by France of their closing pool match.
“I believe the strain in case you’re underdogs is on them,” mentioned South Africa coach Swys de Bruin. “There’s nothing on us.”
A lot has been made from South Africa’s physicality however New Zealand boss Allan Bunting mentioned: “There was a little bit of a deal with that, however we’re fairly bodily too they usually most likely have not come up in opposition to a workforce like that.”
Canada v Australia
One other match that seems destined to go together with the shape guide given world quantity two Canada, who beat Australia 45-7 in Brisbane throughout the Pacific 4 collection in Might, have but to lose to the Wallaroos.
Canada ended the group stage with a 40-19 rout of Scotland whereas Australia had been hammered 47-7 by England.
“I believe we have put ourselves in a great place, but in addition able of strain,” mentioned Canada captain Alex Tessier. “Strain is a privilege and we’re trying ahead to a great battle on Saturday.”
Australia have already met expectations by getting this far, with coach Joanne Yapp — a former England captain — saying: “We respect it was a loss in opposition to England final week however we had an intention to make the quarters to present ourselves a shot and the gamers have achieved that.”
France v Eire
Maybe essentially the most intriguing of all this weekend’s quarter-finals in {that a} win for both aspect is a real risk.
France received 27-15 when the groups met on this season’s Girls’s Six Nations however Eire prop Linda Djougang mentioned: “We got here so shut. We all know the problem forward of us.”
Les Bleues made a comparatively gradual begin to the match however look to be discovering their greatest type on the proper time.
“We have proven we wish to play,” mentioned France again Lina Queyroi. “We wish to transfer the ball, to tire them out bodily.”
England v Scotland
Border rivals they could be, however geography has been the one shut factor with regards to rugby encounters between England and Scotland.
England have received 32 of their 34 encounters, with the Scots final defeating the ‘Auld Enemy’ again in 1989.
Prior to now 5 conferences, the typical factors distinction between the groups has stretched to almost 50, with England benefitting from having turned skilled, with a a lot bigger enjoying pool, a number of years earlier than Scotland.
Although England can be with out full-back Ellie Kildunne this weekend after the 2024 world participant of the yr suffered concussion in opposition to Australia, one other lopsided encounter appears to be like probably.
“We got here to qualify for the quarter-finals,” mentioned Scotland coach Bryan Easson. “We have got the quarter-finals; we’re prime six on the planet so I might say we’re making actual progress.”
England, with captain Zoe Aldcroft set to return after a knee damage, are bidding to interrupt their very own report of 30 straight Take a look at wins.
However England forwards coach Louis Deacon mentioned: “Knockout rugby is a unique competitors. You must earn the best, you must earn one other week.”
Girls’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals (all instances GMT)
Saturday
New Zealand v South Africa, Exeter (1200)
Canada v Australia, Bristol (1500)
Sunday
France v Eire, Exeter (1200)
England v Scotland, Bristol (1500)
