AUSSIES CRUSH RAVENS TO EASE INTO FINAL
AUSTRALIA thrashed Canada 58-6 to advance to the women’s World Cup final but only after suffering a worrying second-half lapse.
As expected, the reigning champions advanced past the vastly inexperienced Ravens in the semi-final in Sydney yesterday to set up a clash with New Zealand in the final on Saturday.
The Jillaroos took their foot off the pedal in the second half with a number of fundamental mistakes and
penalties, allowing Canada to score a surprise try.
“We weren’t as good as what we could have been in the second half,” coach Brad Donald said.
“We’ve been really good during the tournament. It’s something we’ve got a week to work on and make sure we’re right for the Kiwis.”
After Ali Brigginshaw opened the scoring in just the second minute, it was oneway traffic for Australia.
Donald has a headache on his hands over fullback Sam Bremner, who was once again a spectator yesterday due to a leg injury.
Bremner has not played this tournament while fill-in No.1 Nakia Davis-Welsh was a standout and will be difficult to overlook.
She proved her class with a 50m burst to set up Karina Brown midway through the first-half before scoring a scintillating solo try in the 61st minute.
Donald was noncommittal when asked if Bremner would play but was full of praise for rookie Davis-Welsh.
“She’s a superstar and they all are in my eyes. They’ve done everything we’ve asked them to,” Donald said.
“I know they’ve been getting a bit of profile in the last few weeks. But it’s about three, four, five years overdue. She’s a superstar.”
New Zealand advanced to the final with a 52-4 defeat of England with winger Honey Hireme scoring three tries.
Dual international Hireme could have scored two more but offloaded the ball to teammates.