England, the world's first nation and big favorite of the competition, qualified for the final of the Women's Rugby World Cup by beating a tenacious and valiant team from Canada (26-19), Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland .
The "Red Roses", who at the same time sign a 30th victory in a row, a record, will be opposed in the final next Saturday to the winner of the shock between New Zealand, reigning world champion, and France, in the evening. .
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The 2023 World Cup schedule
The meeting, a remake of the 2014 World Cup final which had seen the consecration of the English, started on a high note, with a try from third row Marlie Packer in the 9th minute, her fourth since the start of the competition.
The center Abby Dow chained (15th) and it was then feared that the "Red Roses" would fold the match very quickly, but, on a counter-attack, the third line Karen Paquin reduced the score, igniting the relatively sparse stands from Eden Park (12-5, 19th).
Galvanized by this try and making their opponents doubt, Sophie de Goede's teammates did it again a few moments later, by center Alisha Corrigan, after having boldly chosen to attempt a penaltouch in the English five meters (12-12, 37th).
Back from the locker room, and while the Canadians were on a high point, in the English five meters to chain "pick and go", Claudia MacDonald recovered the ball, going up the whole field, to offer a double to Dow (23 -12, 50th).
Canada keeps the suspense going
Canada, by dint of perseverance and doing it several times, ended up breaking the English wall, thanks to Tyson Beuckeboom, a finisher who entered in the 51st minute, reducing the score and prolonging the suspense (23-19 , 68th).
But England, through the boot of Emily Scarratt, then gave themselves a little air (26-19, 71st), forcing the team with the maple leaf to attack, again and again, and with a lot of panache, until the end.
But in vain.