Canada is in the semifinals of the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. On Saturday night in western Canada (Sunday in New Zealand), Canada defeated the United States 32-11 in the fourth of four quarterfinals. With the win, Canada will now face England in the first of two semifinals on November 4. The other semifinal has France versus New Zealand.
Four Canadians had one try each in the 21-point win. They were McKinley Hunt of King City, Ontario, Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Karen Paquin of Quebec City, Quebec, Paige Farries of Red Deer, Alberta and Alex Tessier of Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Quebec. Hunt scored in the 16th minute, Paquin scored in the 20th minute, Farries scored in the 41st minute, and Tessier scored in the 57th minute. Meanwhile, Sophie de Geode of Victoria, British Columbia made three of four converts and two penalty kicks. Converts are worth two points and penalty kicks are worth three points. Paquin won the bronze medal in women’s rugby sevens at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The three other quarterfinals were blowouts. France clobbered Italy 39-3, England trounced Australia 41-5, and New Zealand spanked Wales 55-3. It appears Canada will be the underdog heading into the semifinals and medal games. For them to get on the podium, they will have to pull off an upset.
