(Reuters) – Hooker Emily Tuttosi scored two tries as Canada secured a spot in the women’s World Cup quarter-finals with a 22-12 victory over Italy in an entertaining Pool B clash at Waitakere Stadium in the Auckland suburbs on Sunday.
Winger Paige Farries scored a superb early try to cancel out an even better solo effort from Italy’s Vittoria Minuzzi, and Tuttosi crossed on the back of a rolling maul to give Canada a 12-5 half time lead.
Centre Sara Kaljuvee extended the lead with a try 10 minutes into the second half after the Canadian pack had stretched the Italian defence to breaking point, with Tuttosi scoring her second off the catch-and-drive soon afterwards.
Replacement Canadian lock Emma Taylor was sent to the sin bin for a late shot with 14 minutes remaining, but her short-handed team mates kept the Italians out until number eight Elisa Giordano crossed for a consolation try in the final minute.
“We came here wanting to win the World Cup and the first step is to get wins and bonus points, and we’ve managed to do that in our first two games against really tough opposition,” said Canada skipper Sophie de Goede.
Italy, looking for a third successive win after beating France and the United States in their last two outings, played plenty of enterprising rugby but were unable to match the power of Canada in the tight and at the breakdown.
Fullback Minuzzi gave the best possible start with 32 seconds on the clock when she picked up the ball on the halfway line, ghosted past three defenders to reach the left wing and outpaced Farries to reach the line.
Farries replied in kind in the 18th minute, taking the ball at first receiver and cutting through the first line of defence with a show-and-go before rounding Minuzzi to touch down.
It was Canada’s second Pool B win after their 41-5 victory over Japan last week and ensured they would reach the last eight whatever happens in their final opening-round match against the United States next weekend.
Italy could still join Canada in the quarter-finals.
“We need to win” next week, said Italy centre Michela Sillari. “So we need to focus on Japan and not think about this one.”
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by William Mallard)
