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Avoiding England was the objective on a beautifully bright and breezy day in Devon. But if they keep performing like this, avoiding Canada will become an equally pressing concern for the assorted tournament favourites. Kévin Rouet’s side top Pool B after an assured display in attack and defence, and will face Australia in the quarter-finals, presuming things go to form in Brighton later. Emily Tuttosi, the Canada hooker, scored two of their six tries in this 40-19 victory, earning the player of the match award.
Bryan Easson’s Scotland, also through to the last eight after wins against Wales and Fiji, battled until the end but were overpowered by supremely well-drilled and cohesive opponents. The Scots have lost seven out of eight matches against Canada, the solitary success coming at the 1994 Rugby World Cup. You have to go back to 1998 for the last time they defeated England, who they are now poised to play in last eight. History is against them but they lack neither ability nor fighting spirit.
With both sides qualified there was a pre-match moment to properly enjoy a few significant landmarks. Tyson Beukeboom of Canada strode into the Sandy Park sunshine first, an 81st cap making her the country’s record appearance-maker, male or female. The Canadian replacements Brittany Kassil and Courtney Holtkamp followed together on the occasion of their 50th caps.
Sarah Bonar, the Scotland lock, was hitting a half century and led Scotland on to the pitch. There were broad smiles from the captains, Alex Tessier and Rachel Malcolm standing side-by-side in the tunnel, symbolising the positive vibes this tournament is creating.
Florence Symonds fumbled a pass on Canada’s first foray into the opposition 22, approaching the 10-minute mark, but Scotland were squeezed back and the front-rower McKinley Hunt smashed over after an ominous show of strength from Canada’s pack. Julia Schell’s fierce tackle-and-jackal on Rhona Lloyd showed Canada’s defensive excellence, before Helen Nelson was somewhat confusingly taken off for an HIA after a clash of heads with her teammate Lisa Cockburn, who appeared to have come off worse and was taken off several minutes later for her own HIA, which she failed.
Scotland established themselves firmly in Canada’s 22. They wanted a yellow card after repeated infringements from their opponents, including one under the posts by Tessier, but kept the ball moving anyway and Rachel McLachlan’s astute pass sent Lloyd roaring over on the right after some smart hands to work the ball wide. It was the second try Canada’s high-energy defence had conceded at this tournament.
Evie Gallagher was shown a yellow card for what the referee Aimee Barrett-Theron pointed out was a “cynical action” at the breakdown, going off her feet and disrupting Canada’s ball near the try-line. No sooner had the No 8 gone to the sin-bin, a penalty try came Canada’s way after more muscular and precise phase play.
Six minutes before half-time, a stunning score for Tuttosi showcased Canada’s skills in the loose, with De Goede displaying power and finesse to send her hooker charging to the line. The world’s No 2 team led by 14 at the break, and it looked a long way back for Bryan Easson’s side.
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A stunning line run by Gallagher saw her race over the try-line 11 minutes after half-time, narrowing the gap to seven, but a soft score from a Scottish point of view allowed Tuttosi to power over again from a lineout drive, Bonar falling off a tackle. Nelson surged on to a long lineout throw at the other end, moments later, and Scottish fans were on their feet – until the try was disallowed via a TMO check.
When Kassil applied a superb close-range finish under the sticks, shoved over with the help of a couple of teammates and De Goede converted, it was a 21-point gap, and all over. Any faint hope provided by Fran McGhie’s score for Scotland was swiftly extinguished when Olivia DeMerchant scored Canada’s sixth try, converted by Tessier. Both teams live to fight another day, but no one will relish playing Canada.
