Kristen Thomas / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA Women’s National Team finished its Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) campaign with a 31-23 loss to France in the third-place match. The Eagles went 2-3 in Dublin and Belfast, and improved from seventh to fifth in the World Rugby rankings.
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The USA dominated possession in the first quarter and forced France to play a lot of defense. Les Bleus absorbed the attack well and only made one error that cost them points: An offsides penalty in front of the posts that Alev Kelter converted at minute 16.
Highlights included a bunch of barreling runs from prop Hope Rogers, who carried for 69 meters in the first half, but the attack as a whole couldn’t find a way through or around the French defense. The Eagles were able to hold onto the ball for long series of phases, and had 61% of both territory and possession over the course of the match. The French had to make nearly twice as many tackles (132 to the USA’s 72) but was – with one exception – good inside its 22 meter.
As the second quarter began, France began to get more ball and did well with it. The French started to get linebreaks through scrumhalf Jade Le Pesq, and as the defense scrambled, the space opened up wide. Crisp hands worked to lock Lenaig Corson along the sideline, and she dove into the corner, 5-3 after 22 minutes.
Deven Owsiany / Photo: INPHO/Billy Stickland for World Rugby
The momentum then favored France, and even though fullback Montserrat Amedee missed an easy penalty in front of the posts, she was soon back on the tee kicking for a conversion. A dropped pass in France’s end turned into a long break from outside center Carla Neisen, who dummied her way past a couple of covering defenders. After a couple of phases inside the USA 10 meter, flanker Marjorie Mayans dove over for the try, which Amedee converted, 12-3.
Near the 36-minute mark, the USA coughed up possession with a knock-on and France launched into attack. Captain and hooker Gaelle Mignot straightened up and stepped past her defender for the uncontested try that Amedee converted, 19-3.
The USA rebounded well, attacking from the restart and getting good field position after a Cheta Emba penalty kick to touch. The subsequent five-meter lineout was tipped in the air by France, and so play resumed with a USA attacking scrum. After a few phases darting at the line, Abby Gustaitis found a seam through which to dive for her second try of the tournament. Kelter made the conversion to end the half, 19-10 to France.
Sara Parsons vs. Caroline Drouin / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
Approximately five minutes into the second half, the USA earned a penalty 22 meters out. Kelter lined it for three points, 19-13.
France drew a penalty from a 50-meter scrum, and Amedee kicked to touch for the lineout. France launched a good driving maul before spinning the ball wide, and the fullback drew across the field to swtich back inside with Camille Grassineau. From the recycle, scrumhalf Le Pesq dove into the corner for the try, 24-13.
Le Pesq scoring / Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
Kelter kicked her third penalty of the match at minute 55, 24-16, and then France came right back. Corson tore through the line for a long break, and then the ball moved through the hands quickly. Flanker Julie Annery capped off the series with a try, which was converted nicely by flyhalf Caroline Drouin, 31-16.
With approximately 10 minutes remaining, Jessica Javelet blocked Elodie Poublan’s grubber in the USA end and the reserve wing moved it to Emba quickly. The fullback kicked in traffic, and the ball somehow ricocheted into Kelter’s hands. The inside center bolted down field with Annery in pursuit and hit Emba for the finishing burst into the try zone. Kelter kicked the conversion to trail, 31-23.
The USA had a couple of opportunities to close in – in particular, a penalty option within Kelter’s range (which would have drawn the point differential to within a converted try) but a lost lineout and errant pass off an attacking scrum turned over possession for good.
Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane for World Rugby
The USA finished its World Cup campaign 2-3 and fourth overall, and also moved up two spots to fifth in the World Rugby rankings. Sara Parsons and Jordan Gray earned Player of the Match honors in the Eagles’ two wins, and Nicole Heavirland and Gray played every minute of every game.
FRANCE 31
Tries: Corson, Le Pesq, Mayans, Mignot, Annery
Cons: Amedee 2, Drouin
USA 23
Tries: Gustaitis, Emba
Cons: Kelter 2
Pens: Kelter 3