Underdogs smell taste of success in quarters

Quarter-final match-ups at the Rugby World Cup appear to promise onesided matches and a predicted meeting in the semifinals of the four top-ranked teams: England, France, New Zealand and Canada.

But the underdogs fancy their chances of upsets.

The Black Ferns tonight face Wales, a side they beat 57-0 a week ago in the group stage, Canada also face a rematch tomorrow, against the United States, who they beat 29-14 last weekend.

Third-ranked France will play Italy today and top-ranked England will play Australia tomorrow in match-ups which didn’t occur in group play.

Though the outcome of the quarter-finals is seen by most as predictable, the underdogs are promising to put up a fight.

Australia fullback Lori Cramer told the Sydney Morning Herald her teammates were undaunted by England’s impressive record.

Cramer said Australia were improving with every game and showed an ability to shock when they led New Zealand 17-0 in the opening match of the tournament.

“It is easy to look at stats and how they haven’t been beaten in so long, blah, blah,” Cramer said. “But every game you play is closer to your first loss. It can’t last forever. I like being underdogs. We are really embracing being underdogs, the pressure is all on them.”

France have already lost to Italy once this year, in their last warm-up match before the World Cup. Captain Gaelle Hermet said her players were determined to avoid a repeat.

“It’s a game with a lot at stake, where it’s either you pass or it breaks down,” she said.

“We want to galvanise ourselves a little bit by saying that it promises to be a big game.”

Italy head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico said his players want to “enjoy the moment”.

“France are really challenging because they have different attacking options,” Di Giandomenico said. “We know France want to win this Rugby World Cup. Every competition France play, they play to win. There’s nothing to lose for us.”

Canada have won their last six matches with the US and hope to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2014.