Photo: Michael Lee / KLC fotos for World Rugby •
The USA Women’s 7s team improves to 4-2-1 against Ireland, recording a 17-5 Cup quarterfinal victory during the Sydney Cup quarterfinals. The Eagles now move onto the Cup semifinals to face reigning Dubai champion New Zealand, which defeated France 24-5 on day two.
From the opening kickoff, Ireland knocked on the receipt and then committed an offsides penalty – a series that would reoccur on the subsequent restart. Captain Alev Kelter tapped through the mark and the ball eventually moved to Naya Tapper on the wing. She had the momentum, and that fend waiting to launch, and beat her opposite easily into the corner, 5-0.
When found in the same situation a minute later, the Ireland defense pushed up on the finisher, and although Tapper didn’t hit the ground immediately, she didn’t have the space to take a corner. Instead, the USA relinquished a penalty, Ireland kicked downfield for a lineout, and that signaled the last of first-half play in Ireland’s end.
Both teams struggled. Ireland hurt itself with unforced errors, missing at least three attacking opportunities to handling. Ballcarriers pulled their heads off the ball in anticipation of breaking into open space, and poor passes checked the striking ability of Ireland’s best. But the USA wasn’t necessarily calm under pressure either. Penalties, two botched scrums, a lost lineout, a poor clearance kick – the Eagles were lucky that Ireland couldn’t connect its passes.
As halftime approached, it appeared that the USA had run itself out of trouble. Cheta Emba returned a penalty to the 50 meter, but when she offloaded to Tapper, there was no one to secure the ball, and Ireland drew the not-releasing penalty. A return attack ensued, a low pass was saved, and Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe finished in the try zone, 5-5 at the break.
Hope Rogers returned to the pitch for another brief, but effective outing. After a trademark barreling run through the gut, she connected with Kate Zackary and Ryan Carlyle, who drew a yellow card for a high tackle. With a player advantage, Kelly Griffin smartly attacked the weak side of a ruck to set up a two-on-one with Kelter. The captain went down the sideline for the try, 10-5.
Before coming off the pitch, Rogers went on a tackling spree that started with an open-field tackle, followed by rucking against three Irish players, followed by two more successive tackles. That effort drew a penalty, but then the USA shared Ireland’s curse. A drizzle became noticeable and Tapper dropped two passes on the wing. Finally, with approximately two minutes remaining, a simple hands-out gave Tapper some room to play with, and the wing scored her fifth try of the tournament. Kelter hit the tough conversion for the 17-5 win.
The USA will retake the pitch at 7:04 p.m. PST. to play New Zealand for the final’s berth.
USA 17
Tries: Tapper 2, Kelter
Cons: Kelter
Ireland 5
Tries: Murphy Crowe