Canada Dominates Australia 46-5 to Reach Women’s World Cup Semis

Canada’s women’s rugby team delivered a stunning performance on March 25, 2023, defeating Australia 46-5 in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup held at Ashton Gate in Bristol, England. This decisive victory propels Canada into the semi-finals, where they will face the defending champions, New Zealand.

From the outset, Canada displayed their dominance, scoring five tries in a commanding first half. The team was both defensively solid and offensively explosive, showcasing their skill and strategy. Alysha Corrigan was a standout player, crossing the line twice, while Asia Hogan-Rochester, Sophie de Goede, and McKinley Hunt also contributed to the scoreboard. The only score for Australia came from Desiree Miller, who equalized briefly before Canada took control.

The match began with an early flourish from Canada, who struck first in the second minute. Hogan-Rochester darted down the left wing, celebrating her try before even crossing the line. Australia responded quickly, with Miller sprinting 40 meters to equalize, but that brief moment of hope quickly faded.

Canada continued to press, with DaLeaka Menin having a try disallowed after losing control of the ball. Undeterred, Corrigan soon put Canada back in the lead, showcasing her speed and agility to score in the right corner. De Goede followed suit, scoring in the 17th minute from close range, as Canada built momentum.

The Canadians maintained their relentless pace, with Corrigan securing her second try just three minutes later, highlighted by precise teamwork and quick passing. A knock-on denied another potential score, but Hunt eventually broke free from a Canadian maul, bringing their tally to five tries by halftime, with the score standing at 31-5.

As the second half commenced, Canada initially took a more measured approach. Nevertheless, they extended their lead in the 50th minute when Fabiola Forteza capitalized on a mishap during an Australian lineout to score. Despite challenging conditions with heavy rain, Australia’s attempts to rally were thwarted by a resilient Canadian defense.

Late in the game, Karen Paquin added a final flourish with another try, solidifying Canada’s comprehensive victory at 46-5. The team’s four conversions, expertly executed by De Goede, and a late penalty from Alex Tessier, rounded off the scoring.

With this victory, Canada, currently ranked second in the world, sets their sights on the semi-finals against New Zealand, who triumphed over South Africa 46-17 earlier in the day. With aspirations of reaching their first World Cup final since 2014, the Canadian team is poised for an exciting clash against the formidable defending champions.