Women's 2021 (2022) Rugby World Cup thread

[OomStruisbaai]

NZ fattie scores.

[Kiwias]

Canada in a comfortable win over Japan.

[Lobby]

Canada in a comfortable win over Japan.

Good win for Italy as well that could guarantee them a place in the quarter finals.

[TheNatalShark]

Fuck me this ref has forgotten her cards. 7 penalties within 10 metres within 10 minutes and the most Wales get is 3 consecutive "Be carefuls"s.

[Lobby]

Fuck me this ref has forgotten her cards. 7 penalties within 10 metres within 10 minutes and the most Wales get is 3 consecutive "Be carefuls"s.

Finally she’s remembered where it is.

[TheNatalShark]

Hopefully kick on from here, really Wales should have been out of sight at the half.

[Lobby]

Oh dear, Butchers butchered that. If she’d passed to Joyce Wales would have scored.

[Lobby]

Scotland will rue their 5 missed kicks (12 points missed), while Wales will be thankful the 18 penalties and 2 yellow cards they gave away didn’t cost them the game.

[ASMO]

Disgraceful refereeing performance there, absolutely influenced the outcome of the game.

[sturginho]

[Niegs]

Mama?

I only watched the extended highlights, but liked what I saw from Italians in attack! USA reminded me of a past Canadian team... can't remember if it was 2006? Coach Langevin seemed to pick the biggest players in most positions, including backs, but the big centres continually got stepped and weren't that effective vs defenders. I'm biased because I worked with a 'long list' scrum half of theirs last year and am a big fan of hers (Shelby Lin) and feel she'd have been a better weapon than the non-weapons they have at scrum half (a less-powerful Sansuss, loving a snipe and a chip kick), but they left her at home, I think. Our scrum halves are like that as well - just pass and box kick, which can work if your passes are bullets like A Smith and forwards continually pick great lines, but I don't think ours do that well enough. Speaking of passes, loved not just Rigoni's bullets to the wing but also the work rate to get into a good position (one time waving both hands as she saw the option - great player).

There's a Rugby Canada belief that even filters down to women's uni that ball goes to the three-woman pod, tip of the arrow either crashes, steps and crashes, or passes on to the next runner who does that. When in contact, offloads are rare, they often fall on their fronts and then place. Over and over. I really liked seeing Japan mix their pod play up quite a bit, obviously lacking the size, and the passing crispness to be more effective. But I loved both the randomness and the side stepping / angles from support runners. Italy had some of that as well in tight play.

[Lobby]

Mama?

I only watched the extended highlights, but liked what I saw from Italians in attack! USA reminded me of a past Canadian team... can't remember if it was 2006? Coach Langevin seemed to pick the biggest players in most positions, including backs, but the big centres continually got stepped and weren't that effective vs defenders. I'm biased because I worked with a 'long list' scrum half of theirs last year and am a big fan of hers (Shelby Lin) and feel she'd have been a better weapon than the non-weapons they have at scrum half (a less-powerful Sansuss, loving a snipe and a chip kick), but they left her at home, I think. Our scrum halves are like that as well - just pass and box kick, which can work if your passes are bullets like A Smith and forwards continually pick great lines, but I don't think ours do that well enough. Speaking of passes, loved not just Rigoni's bullets to the wing but also the work rate to get into a good position (one time waving both hands as she saw the option - great player).

There's a Rugby Canada belief that even filters down to women's uni that ball goes to the three-woman pod, tip of the arrow either crashes, steps and crashes, or passes on to the next runner who does that. When in contact, offloads are rare, they often fall on their fronts and then place. Over and over. I really liked seeing Japan mix their pod play up quite a bit, obviously lacking the size, and the passing crispness to be more effective. But I loved both the randomness and the side stepping / angles from support runners. Italy had some of that as well in tight play.

Watching live it was very notable that the US players were all about twice the size of the Italians, but depressingly one dimensional. They just kept trying to bludgeon their way through the Italian defence, but the Italians kept firm, and indeed were making loads of turnovers. In contrast the smaller Italians were always looking to move the ball quickly, and had much more skill and guile than the Americans. They were good to watch and were well deserved winners.

Given that the USA were semi-finalists five years ago, it’s hard not to conclude that they have regressed. I’m sure as well, that coming on the back of their defeat of France, the Italians will be full of confidence.

[sturginho]

Mama?

I only watched the extended highlights, but liked what I saw from Italians in attack! USA reminded me of a past Canadian team... can't remember if it was 2006? Coach Langevin seemed to pick the biggest players in most positions, including backs, but the big centres continually got stepped and weren't that effective vs defenders. I'm biased because I worked with a 'long list' scrum half of theirs last year and am a big fan of hers (Shelby Lin) and feel she'd have been a better weapon than the non-weapons they have at scrum half (a less-powerful Sansuss, loving a snipe and a chip kick), but they left her at home, I think. Our scrum halves are like that as well - just pass and box kick, which can work if your passes are bullets like A Smith and forwards continually pick great lines, but I don't think ours do that well enough. Speaking of passes, loved not just Rigoni's bullets to the wing but also the work rate to get into a good position (one time waving both hands as she saw the option - great player).

There's a Rugby Canada belief that even filters down to women's uni that ball goes to the three-woman pod, tip of the arrow either crashes, steps and crashes, or passes on to the next runner who does that. When in contact, offloads are rare, they often fall on their fronts and then place. Over and over. I really liked seeing Japan mix their pod play up quite a bit, obviously lacking the size, and the passing crispness to be more effective. But I loved both the randomness and the side stepping / angles from support runners. Italy had some of that as well in tight play.

Watching live it was very notable that the US players were all about twice the size of the Italians, but depressingly one dimensional. They just kept trying to bludgeon their way through the Italian defence, but the Italians kept firm, and indeed were making loads of turnovers. In contrast the smaller Italians were always looking to move the ball quickly, and had much more skill and guile than the Americans. They were good to watch and were well deserved winners.

Given that the USA were semi-finalists five years ago, it’s hard not to conclude that they have regressed. I’m sure as well, that coming on the back of their defeat of France, the Italians will be full of confidence.

@Niegs: Yes that's Giada Franco's mum

I didn't watch it live because I fell asleep Watching the replay now, Italy start quite badly but I think the match turned when USA won two massive scrum penalties and both times decided to kick for the corner even though Italy had stolen their lineout a few times already. Italy predictably nullified both attacks and then were able to sort their scrum out.

[sturginho]

Surrender pronto, or we'll level Toronto!

15 Vittoria OSTUNI MINUZZI – 17 caps
14 Aura MUZZO – 28 caps
13 Michela SILLARI – 71 caps
12 Beatrice RIGONI – 58 caps
11 Maria MAGATTI – 47 caps
10 Veronica MADIA – 33 caps
9 Sofia STEFAN – 70 caps
8 Elisa GIORDANO – 57 caps, capitano
7 Giada FRANCO – 25 caps
6 Beatrice VERONESE – 13 caps
5 Giordana DUCA – 31 caps
4 Valeria FEDRIGHI – 37 caps
3 Sara SEYE – 9 caps
2 Melissa BETTONI – 73 caps
1 Silvia TURANI – 21 caps

A disposizione

16 Vittoria VECCHINI – 12 caps
17 Gaia MARIS – 13 caps
18 Emanuela STECCA – 3 caps
19 Sara TOUNESI – 25 caps
20 Isabella LOCATELLI – 35 caps
21 Francesca SGORBINI – 14 caps
22 Sara BARATTIN – 108 caps
23 Alyssa D’INCA’ – 11 caps

[Torquemada 1420]

No thread?

Eng v Fra. These 2 already look light years ahead of most of the other sides. Esp Eng.

Fre FB is as bad under a high ball as any of her male counterparts.

[Torquemada 1420]

Sansus, probably Fra's most important player, off and looking like end of tournie

[Torquemada 1420]

FFS. Now Menager sparko so that's the backrow screwed now. Game over.

[Ymx]

It’s right here

https://www.notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.php?t=2233

[Ymx]

It’s ITV in the UK?

[Ymx]

The Orc-ettes are sizeable units in comparison

[Torquemada 1420]

Fre player in "can't catch a ball surprise". One day, Fre rugby as a whole will pay some attention to the need to practice this.

[Torquemada 1420]

The Orc-ettes are sizeable units in comparison

Fra will have no players left at this rate. Can't see any side beating this brutally strong Eng side.

[Lobby]

Superb defence from France to restrict England to just 10 points, but that will surely take a toll on the French in the final quarte, especially as they have already lost two of their best players. To make 127 tackles on one half is exhausting. England have only had to make about 20 tackles.

[Lobby]

The one time a French winger managed to catch the ball rather than knocking on, France scored. But England managed to hold on to win in the end.

England won’t be happy with the number of times they were turned over, and how rarely they managed to get over the gain line. Mind you, I think France are probably the only team that can match them physically.

[Raggs]

The one time a French winger managed to catch the ball rather than knocking on, France scored. But England managed to hold on to win in the end.

England won’t be happy with the number of times they were turned over, and how rarely they managed to get over the gain line. Mind you, I think France are probably the only team that can match them physically.

Maybe. For all the talk of the French defence, which was very strong, the English defence was not only strong, but aggressive. France barely had any time on the ball before being turned over or forced into a kick. They scored a lovely try, but it was one of those that was far from guaranteed risk play.

[Ymx]

The French defence was very impressive

[Lobby]

The one time a French winger managed to catch the ball rather than knocking on, France scored. But England managed to hold on to win in the end.

England won’t be happy with the number of times they were turned over, and how rarely they managed to get over the gain line. Mind you, I think France are probably the only team that can match them physically.

Maybe. For all the talk of the French defence, which was very strong, the English defence was not only strong, but aggressive. France barely had any time on the ball before being turned over or forced into a kick. They scored a lovely try, but it was one of those that was far from guaranteed risk play.

Agreed. France had to rely on a moment of (as you say risky) brilliance to score; they didn't come close to scoring in the other 79 minutes of the match. I still think the French defence was notable, if only for the fact that they had to do so much - they made something like 220 tackles.

As Torq said, England and France really are a class apart, even if France are only ranked 4th by World Rugby.

[Torquemada 1420]

Agreed. France had to rely on a moment of (as you say risky) brilliance to score; they didn't come close to scoring in the other 79 minutes of the match. I still think the French defence was notable, if only for the fact that they had to do so much - they made something like 220 tackles.

As Torq said, England and France really are a class apart, even if France are only ranked 4th by World Rugby.

Attacking wise, this Fre side has gone backwards from 3 years ago. They rely upon physicality and in Eng they met a side better at that then they are.

[Kiwias]

Just switched on the NZ v Wales match to watch the Welsh scrum destroy the BFs. WTF!!!!!

[Torquemada 1420]

Sansus has retired from rugby with immediate effect following her injury against England

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-du ... tory.shtml

[Lobby]

Sansus has retired from rugby with immediate effect following her injury against England

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-du ... tory.shtml

That's dreadful news for her and for France.

[Torquemada 1420]

Sansus has retired from rugby with immediate effect following her injury against England

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-du ... tory.shtml

That's dreadful news for her and for France.

She was player of the 6N this year. Whatever slender chance Fra harboured of getting their hands on the comp ahead of Eng went with her.

[Lobby]

Sansus has retired from rugby with immediate effect following her injury against England

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/coupe-du ... tory.shtml

That's dreadful news for her and for France.

She was player of the 6N this year. Whatever slender chance Fra harboured of getting their hands on the comp ahead of Eng went with her.

Fantastic player.

Pauline Bourdon is also very good, and was France’s 1st choice SH before Sansus came on the scene, but I agree the loss of Sansus is a major blow to France’s hopes in this World Cup.

I assume Menager will also have to stand down for a period having been concussed on Saturday (although as the next game is against Fiji, this shouldn’t affect France’s chances).

[ASMO]

Anterior Cruciate i understand, must have been a bad one for her to retire though, really sad, she was one to watch in this RWC.

[Lobby]

Anterior Cruciate i understand, must have been a bad one for her to retire though, really sad, she was one to watch in this RWC.

From Torq’s article:

Victim of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligaments and a lesion of the meniscus of the left knee

She had already announced her decision to retire after the World Cup.

[Torquemada 1420]

Fantastic player.

Pauline Bourdon is also very good, and was France’s 1st choice SH before Sansus came on the scene, but I agree the loss of Sansus is a major blow to France’s hopes in this World Cup.

I assume Menager will also have to stand down for a period having been concussed on Saturday (although as the next game is against Fiji, this shouldn’t affect France’s chances).

Curious set of emotions for both players given that Bourdon is Sansus's partner. I wonder whether this will motivate Bourdon or distract her?

[sturginho]

Not going well for italy atm

[sturginho]

Giada Franco has been on a ful 10 mins before the doctor eventually took her off for HIA, not good enough

[sturginho]

Bettoni deserves that try

[sturginho]

And they've done it! The first Italian team to make the QF

FORZA AZZURRE!