Chiefs experience elation and heartbreak in World Cup quarters
In the post-match press conference at Sandy Park, South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin said: “I think a giant has awoken in South African rugby,” after his team held the Black Ferns to a 10-10 draw in the first half.
New Zealand 46-17 South Africa – Sandy Park
In the first quarter-final of the weekend, South Africa brought a box of tricks to try to keep the Blacks Ferns from running riot at Sandy Park. A two-player then 15-woman lineout kept New Zealand guessing and starved of the ball while their consistent physicality saw the Women Boks score first through prop Babalwa Latcha.
A try from Apiwe Ngwevu answered scores from New Zealand’s Theresa Setefano and teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee to make it 10-10 at half-time. The Ferns ran riot in the second half to see them through to the semis, but South Africa’s resilience represented more than just a tight first half.
Coach de Bruin added: “I'm so proud. Look at our girls, look at the passion. They made a difference for millions of girls in South Africa. They have role models.”
Canada 46-5 Australia – Ashton Gate
It was more one-sided at Ashton Gate as the number two team in the world scored seven tries to Australia’s one. All three of Exeter Chiefs’ Canadian players started the game with captain Alex Tessier getting on the scoreboard with a single penalty. Canada will play New Zealand on at Ashton Gate on Friday at 19:00.
She said: “It was a great win. We are pretty proud of what the girls have done today. We have to switch our mindset to the semi-final, which is a six-day turnaround. We will recover, reassess and get ready for Friday."
France 18-13 Ireland – Sandy Park
While the first quarter-final had been bathed in sunshine, this third knockout fixture was wet and wild from the off. Ireland took full advantage of having the Sandy Park swirling wind at the backs with long kicks towards the North Stand. Former Chief and Ireland kicking coach Gareth Steenson barked orders from the sidelines to fly-half Dannah O’Brien to prevent France getting any foothold in the game.
At half-time, the score was 0-13 following a try apiece for Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood, and a penalty from O’Brien. The wind was in France’s favour in the second half however and two tries, a conversion and two penalties gave them a five-point lead. It looked like Ireland could have stolen victory in extra time, but even with adopted local Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald on the field, it was not to be.
Captain Sam Monaghan said: “We're heartbroken. It went to the death. We took them to a dark place. It was in our hands. I am so proud of this group and where we've come. Two years ago, we were playing in WXV3 and now we have a quarter-final in us.”
England 40-8 Scotland – Ashton Gate
There were atrocious playing conditions up the M5 too as England took on Scotland three hours later. Six tries and five conversions were more than enough to move into the semi-final with 76 minutes between Scotland’s penalty and last-minute try. Exeter Chiefs back-row Maddie Feaunati came on for fit-again captain Zoe Aldcroft to get 20 minutes in Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The Red Roses will stay put in Bristol ahead of their semi-final on Saturday (KO 16:00). This game will be shown live on the TV screens in the County Suite after Exeter Chiefs Women’s PWR Cup game against Trailfinders Women (KO 13:00).
Aldcroft said: “We're going to keep where our feet are. We love preparing well so we'll make sure we get a good training week in to put ourselves in the best place heading into the semi-final against France."