- By Ceri Coleman-Phillips
- ` Sport Wales in Wellington
October 20, 2023
Updated 17 minutes ago
image source, Huw Evans photo agency
image description,
Carys Phillips celebrates scoring for Wales
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Trials: the good, Svoboda, Grant, Hunt, Boag, Lachance Disadvantages: the good 6 |
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Attempts: Phillips, Evans, Callender Cons: Bevan 2 Pen: Bevan |
Wales threatened to end a 17-year losing streak against Canada before finally being overwhelmed in WXV1’s opening game in Wellington.
Ioan Cunningham’s side went head-to-head with one of women’s rugby’s powerhouses, with the game tied at 21-17 at half-time.
But indiscipline ultimately cost Wales victory as Canada kept the physical fight after the break.
Sophie de Goede led from the front with one try and six conversions to her name.
Wales had not beaten Canada since the 2006 meeting in Cardiff, but with the team now fully professional they went into this game with confidence.
Canada was on the scoreboard in the first five minutes. A penalty for not rolling away gave them a five-meter attack line from which to launch an attack.
The captain de Goede peeled off the backpack and stormed toward the finish line before completing a series of pick-and-gos.
Wales hit back almost immediately after the penalty against Canada. Robyn Wilkins’ kick initiated a line of attack from which Wales are known to be lethal.
But this time it wasn’t her traditional mouth. Instead, hooker Carys Phillips threw a short ball to Alisha Butchers, who returned the pass, causing the hooker to tip over while the defense took a nap.
Keira Bevan converted the ball perfectly down the touchline before converting a penalty in the 28th minute to give Wales the lead.
Canada continued to threaten as Florence Symonds tore down her wing, but sevens star Jasmine Joyce made excellent tackles to save attempts.
Canada’s second try came after fullback Madison Grant received her own high kick before flanker Sara Svoboda weaved between the tacklers and crossed.
Grant scored her goal moments later from a well-worked set piece after Symonds came off her wing to create an overlap in midfield.
With the game threatening to get out of hand, Wales reduced the deficit just before half-time when Evans caught a loose pass from Alexandra Tessier in the second row and stormed free to the line.
Canada were the better team early in the second half and the Welsh defense eventually gave in after being trapped deep in their own half when prop Hunt crashed under the posts.
Evans and Olivia Apps were sent off after a clash of heads that sparked the much-anticipated call-up of Kate Williams, the Auckland-raised New Zealand naval officer who worked with Wales at last year’s World Cup.
Wales tried to force a deficit but were frustrated as they kept losing the ball in phases.
And with Wales’ penalty count in double figures, Canada had possession and a fifth try when substitute Gillian Boag broke free after a lineout challenge.
Canada had the final word and it came straight from the scrum. Player of the game, de Goede, caught winger Maude Lachance off base for a convincing win.
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