The second round of the Pool C group stages took place this week in Northampton and Exeter, as Ireland faced Spain and New Zealand fought Japan.
It was all to play for as the end of the group stages draws nearer, and both Ireland and New Zealand were able to confirm their qualification for the knockout stages.
The Sporting News runs through the matches, scores, highlights and what this means for the Pool C rankings.
Ireland vs Spain
Score: 43 - 27
Location: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Try scorers:
Ireland: O’Brien, Costigan, Higgins, McGann (2), Moore (2); Conv: O’Brien (3), Breen
Spain: Perez, Mallen, Hidalgo, Alameda, Herrera; Conv: Argudo
Player of the Match: Ellena Perry (Ireland)
Match report:
Ireland and Spain put on quite a show in Northampton, as the two nations brought their all to the pitch in bids to reach the quarterfinals.
It was ultimately Ireland that was able to emerge victorious with a 43 - 27 final score, meaning that they are through to the knock-out rounds. After two losses in a row, next week will be Spain’s final appearance at this year’s World Cup.
However, that is not to say that Spain conceded willingly. Although Ireland started with the upper hand, storming away to a 12 - 0 lead in the first twenty minutes, the Spanish attack showed an ability to shift into different gears.
Las Leonas managed to stop the green tide in its tracks at various points and shift it to their advantage in the middle of both the first and second half, possessing the ball for 55% of the match.
Their tenacious offensive was rewarded with five tries during the match, earning them a well-deserved bonus point - including Herrera scoring on the final whistle as Spain fought to the very last second.
However, they were ultimately unable to translate this possession to a meaningful score against such a powerful Irish side, who refused to relinquish their 12 point lead that they established early on in the match.
Even when Las Leonas increased in intensity, the Irish were able to respond and nullify the threat, like Eve Higgins and Anna McGann scoring within four minutes of each other just before half time to solidify Ireland’s domination of the first half.
Ireland were also flawless at the scrum and in the line-out, with 100% success at both, something reflected in Ellena Perry, Ireland’s loose-head prop, being awarded MasterCard Player of the Match with her outstanding stats - including six carries, 20 tackles and two turnovers.
The completeness of Ireland’s quality across the team was ultimately what allowed them to tip the balance against such a determined and explosive Spanish side, who often fell short at key opportunities to gain points, like conversions.
New Zealand vs Japan
Score: 62 - 19
Location: Sandy Park, Exeter
Try scorers:
New Zealand: Woodman-Wickliffe, Miller (2), Vahaakolo, Sorensen-McGee (3), Tukuafu, Pouri-Lane, Holmes; Conv: Sorensen-McGee (4)
Japan: Hatada, Tsukui; Conv: Otsuka
Player of the Match: Braxton Sorensen-McGhee (New Zealand)
Match report:
Japan put pressure on the reigning World Champions New Zealand in front of a sold out crowd in Exeter in the second round of Pool B matches.
Sakurako Hatada opened the game crossing the line in just four minutes for Japan, putting pressure on the Black Ferns side from the start..
However, Portia Woodman-Wycliffe quickly demonstrated why she is the team’s top try-scorer as she leveled the scoreboard for her 50th test try.
From then on, it was the Black Ferns’ game. Jorja Miller, who has been a staple Black Fern offensive weapon in the World Cup thus far, scored again just three minutes after Woodman-Wycliffe.
This was followed by three tries by three players in the space of ten minutes before half time, including a try by kicker Braxton Sorensen-McGhee.
New Zealand finished off a dominant first half with Pouri-Lane scoring in the 39th minute as Japan played a woman down after Haruka Hirotsu’s yellow card. Sorensen-McGhee’s subsequent conversion made the score 38 - 5 at half time.
However, Japan came back with a vengeance in the second half, with their rolling maul taking advantage of New Zealand’s Laura Bayfield’s yellow card to score and convert their second try.
Player of the Match Braxton Sorensen-McGhee quickly reacted to this threat, crossing the line for New Zealand a mere two minutes later.
A penalty try for Japan in the 67th minute further increased the pressure on New Zealand, again showcasing the Japanese offensive unit. However, a flurry of tries from Miller, Holmes and Sorensen-McGhee - earning her a hat-trick - meant that the Black Ferns ended the match comfortably in the lead.
What does this mean for next week?
New Zealand and Ireland have officially booked their spots in the quarterfinals, and their clash next week will establish who will enter the knockout round as Pool C leader.
It is nearly the end of the road for Japan and Spain, as they face each other in their final World Cup matches next weekend.
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