Canada drops Women’s Rugby World Cup final against England

After a blistering run through the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Canada’s quest for gold came to an end at the hands of the hosts.

Canada was defeated by England in the final of the quadrennial tournament, falling 33-13 at Twickenham Stadium in London on Saturday.

It’s the second time Canada has fallen to England in the World Cup final after suffering a similar 21-9 result in Paris in 2014.

In this showdown, Canada was outdone by England’s dominant front after getting stopped on the goal line on multiple occasions while failing outmuscle its opponents in scrums. That defence prevented a Canadian comeback in the second half, as the Red Roses held on to the solid lead built up in the fast-paced first.

Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester scored the first try of the game less than five minutes into the contest. Canada earned a two-on-one along the sideline after a lineout, giving the speedy left wing ample space to find the in-goal area.

However, England responded with a try of its own minutes later, with Ellie Kildunne manoeuvring around the Canadian side for the score.

England pulled away as the first half went on, scoring two more tries courtesy of its dominant scrum, routinely pushing back Canada’s typically stout line. Amy Cokayne scored the at the 19-minute mark, then Alex Matthews went on to score another in the 27th to take a 21-5 lead.

Canada would score a penalty goal to trim England’s lead to 21-8 heading back to the locker rooms for halftime.

Though the Canadians gave up a try to England to open the second half, Hogan-Rochester responded with her second try of the game to bring it back to a two-score game.

But Matthews put the final nail in the coffin in the 69th minute, pushing through a final try past Brittany Kassil and Florence Symonds to put the Red Roses up 33-13.

It’s the third championship for the Brits after winning in 1994 and 2014.
New Zealand took down France 42-26 to take home the bronze medal earlier on Saturday.