Black Ferns set up Welsh rematch in Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

New Zealand will face a familiar opponent in Wales when the sudden death phase of the Women’s Rugby World Cup begins this weekend.

Sylvia Brunt on attack for New Zealand in the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool game against Wales in Auckland.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

The Black Ferns will face the Welsh in Whangarei on Saturday, their quarter-final coming just two weeks after the teams met in group play, when the tournament hosts emerged 56-12 victors.

Wing Portia Woodman and centre Sylvia Brunt both scored a brace in a 10-try performance which showcased New Zealand’s attacking flair but also highlighted some deficiencies in the forward exchanges — most notably scrummaging and combatting drives.

Coach Wayne Smith overhauled his team for Saturday’s 57-0 rout of Scotland, and much interest surrounds the lineup he’ll choose for the first knockout match.

Wales lost two of their three pool games, including a tense 13-7 defeat to Australia on Saturday, but advanced as one of the best third-placed finishers in group play.

If victorious, New Zealand will play the winners of Saturday’s clash between France and Italy, a match that brings together the world’s fourth and fifth-ranked teams.

The other side of the draw features England, who can extend their winning streak to 29 matches if they beat Australia in Auckland on Sunday.

The final pool match pits unbeaten Canada against the United States in a repeat of Sunday’s pool match, which the Canucks won 29-14 on Sunday to extend their run of wins in the North American derby to six straight matches.

ENGLAND FIRE WARNING SHOT

England rounded out pool with a 75-0 thrashing of South Africa at Auckland’s Waitakere Stadium on Sunday.

Rosie Galligan of England scored a hat-trick of tries against South Africa in their Women’s Rugby World pool match in Auckland.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

“It was a phenomenal performance from the girls, I am super-proud,” said Marlie Packer, who stood in as England captain with Sarah Hunter rested.

England’s forwards were utterly dominant against a South African side that needed an unlikely win in the day’s final game to secure the last remaining quarter-final berth ahead of Wales.

Second row Rose Galligan and Connie Powell each scored a hat-trick of tries while Poppy Cleall and Sadia Kabeya crossed the line twice apiece.

Shaunagh Brown, Packer and Abby Dow also put their names on the scoresheet in a one-sided contest.

The win saw the English extend their record run of consecutive victories to 28, a sequence that extends back to 2019 when they lost against New Zealand.

“We talked earlier on today about being good defensively and putting a lot of pressure on South Africa because we know how dangerous they are if you give them space, and I’m really thrilled with that,” said England coach Simon Middleton.

“But I’m really pleased with the balance of the game as well, we attacked from different areas and we were really pleased.

“It will be great just getting (into the quarter-finals) whoever we play, but playing Australia in particular is fantastic because we don’t get that many opportunities to play each other and it will be a great contest.”

Italy scraped home 21-8 in their final match against Japan to set up a quarter-final against fourth seeds France, who they beat in their final warm-up match for the tournament.

“I’m very happy with the outcome of us making it to the quarter-finals but I am not very happy with the overall performance,” said Italy coach Andrea Di Giandomenico.

“We have to work hard for our next game because we can’t lose possession, we have to make sure we don’t make any mistakes and work hard.”

Italy advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time with Melissa Bettoni’s 78th-minute try sealing the victory after Michela Sillari’s two second-half penalties had given Di Giandomenico’s side the lead.

Quarter-final draw:

Saturday, Oct. 29 – Whangarei

QF 1: France v Italy (4.30pm)

QF 2: New Zealand v Wales (7.30pm)

Sunday, Oct. 30 – Auckland

QF 3: England v Australia (1.30pm)

QF 4: Canada v United States (4.30pm)

SEMI-FINALS

Saturday, Nov. 5 – Eden Park, Auckland

Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4 (4.30pm)

Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 1 (7.30pm)

FINAL

Saturday, Nov. 12 – Eden Park, Auckland (7.30pm)

– RNZ/Reuters