England plot World Cup final collision course
Though most eyes will be on England and New Zealand as they chart a course to meet in the women’s World Cup final, the clash between France and Italy could end up being the pick of this weekend’s four quarterfinals.
Favourites England will be confident of romping past a tough but limited Australia side on Sunday for a 29th successive win, while hosts and holders New Zealand will renew acquaintance with a Wales side they thrashed 56-12 in the pool stage.
Canada have an even more recent form guide for their meeting with the USA on Sunday, having beaten the Eagles 29-14 last weekend to extend their winning streak over their neighbours to six matches.
The opening quarterfinal between France and Italy should be an altogether more intriguing matchup between the two sides playing a similar style who split two warm-up matches before the tournament.
Fourteen of Italy’s starting team that upset the French 26-19 in September will take to the field in Whangarei on Saturday for the nation’s first World Cup knockout match.
“They are capable of threatening us on the field, any time, anywhere,” France captain Gaelle Hermet said.
The reward for the winners is likely to be a semifinal against New Zealand, who have had to brush off a row about the scheduling of their quarterfinal, which clashes with an All Blacks game in Tokyo.
The Black Ferns pack struggled against the Welsh forwards in the pool match three of Ayesha Leti-l but’ iga, the Portia back Woodman and Ruby Tui should alone ensure they score enough points to get into the last four.
“They beat us physically. This is an opportunity for our women to show that we can match them,” said coach Wayne Smith, who named co-captain Kennedy Simon in his match-day squad for the first time in the tournament after the loose forward recovered from a leg injury.
England captain Sarah Hunter will become the most capped woman in Test rugby history when she wins her 138th cap against Australia on Sunday as coach Simon Middleton reverts to his strongest side for the knockout stage.
His second-string side still managed a 75-0 rout of SA last weekend and Australia, who have never beaten England in six attempts, look unlikely to derail the Red Roses juggernaut in Auckland.
“This is what you play footy for, to challenge yourself and play the best of the best,” Australia centre Sharni Williams said.