WXV 2: Boks women suffer another defeat
WXV WRAP: Italy and Scotland remain neck and neck at the top of the WXV 2 2023 standings following two enthralling matches at Athlone Sports Stadium on Friday.
The Azzure lead the way on points difference thanks to their bonus-point 36-18 victory against hosts South Africa, who were reduced to 13 players during the second half in Cape Town.
Scotland had earlier made a lightning start against USA, scoring three tries in the opening 20 minutes en route to a bonus-point win of their own, Chloe Rollie’s second-half score helping to secure a 24-14 triumph.
The Italians got off to the best possible start, taking the lead in the opening five minutes when fullback Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi showed a terrific turn of pace to break down the left wing and cross for the opening try.
Despite the early set-back, South Africa hit back almost straight away with strong forward phase play propelling them towards the line before captain Babalwa Latsha crashed over, with Libbie Janse van Rensburg adding the conversion to level the scores inside 10 minutes.
The game's free-flowing nature continued with the Italians adding a quick-fire second as Aura Muzzo went over in the corner after a looping miss pass from Beatrice Rigoni. Beatrice Capomaggi added a second conversion.
With South Africa down to 14 players, after Veroeshka Grain saw yellow for a high tackle, the tournament hosts' scramble defence struggled to stop the Italians' offload game and they were soon over for their third try through Alissa Ranuccini.
Janse van Rensburg narrowed the gap with a penalty for the Springbok Women but this was cancelled out by Capomaggi in what proved to be the half's final points as the game headed into the break with the Azzurre leading 22-10.
South Africa began the second half with a strong passage of possession and Janse van Rensburg decided to take advantage of the field position by knocking over a second penalty.
However, Springbok Women number eight Aseza Hele was sent off for a head-on-head collision with Italy’s Veronica Madia soon afterwards. That opened the game up and Italy instantly pounced adding their fourth try of the game through hooker Vittoria Vecchini.
Even down to 14, South Africa continued to push the Italian defence and they were rewarded when Byhandre Dolf scored their second try in the corner following a long passage of composed phase play.
Early injuries came back to haunt South Africa, though, and when replacement hooker Luchell Hanekom had to leave the field, the game was reduced to uncontested scrums and the Springbok Women were left with 13 players for the final 15 minutes.
Despite being down to 13, South Africa played some of their best rugby of the game but Alyssa D’Incà secured the game for the Italians with their fifth try when she read an intercept perfectly to race in to score. Capomaggi once again added the extras to round off a strong Italian win.
Italy 36-18 South Africa
The scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: Babalwa Latsha, Byrhandre Dolf
Con: Libbie Janse van Rensburg
Pens: Libbie Janse van Rensburg 2
For Italy:
Tries: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Aura Muzzo, Alissa Ranuccini, Vittoria Vecchini, Alyssa D'Inca.
Cons: Beatrice Capomaggi 4
Pen: Beatrice Capomaggi
USA 14-24 Scotland
The scorers:
For USA:
Tries: Paige Stathopoulos, Charlie Jacoby
Cons: Tess Feury, Gabriella Cantorna
For Scotland:
Tries: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Francesca McGhie, Emma Wassell
Cons: Meryl Smith, Helen Nelson 3
Japan 32-10 Samoa
The scorers:
For Japan:
Tries: Iroha Nagata, Sakurako Korai, Haruka Hirotsu, Nao Ando
Cons: Ayasa Otsuka 3
Pens: Ayasa Otsuka 2
For Samoan
Try: Rereglory Aiono
Con: Cassie Siataga
Pen: Cassie Siataga
Meanwhile, in the WXV 1, France held on to secure a first-ever win against the Black Ferns in New Zealand at the end of a thrilling second day of action at Sky Stadium that also included a hard-fought victory for Canada against Wales.
Les Bleues scored two early tries in Wellington but were required to dig deep to secure an 18-17 win as the Black Ferns pressed for a winning score despite being reduced to 14 players in the second half.
Earlier, Canada were grateful to second-half tries from McKinley Hunt, Gillian Boag and Sarah-Maude Lachance as they pulled away from Wales to record a bonus-point 42-22 victory.
It means Canada end the first round second in the WXV 1 2023 standings on five points, behind England on points difference, with France a point further back in third.
In WXV 3, Ireland maintained their 100 percent start as they ran in 10 tries at The Sevens Stadium to beat Colombia 64-3 and set up a winner-takes-all encounter with Spain next Saturday.
The result lifts Scott Bemand's side back to the top of the standings ahead of the final round in Dubai, one point clear of Las Leonas who were 26-19 victors against Fiji on Friday.
Source: WXV