Though unable to score a try, France held a firm grip on their IRB third place ranking over Canada, scoring all of their points on kicks to take a 12-7 victory at the 2009 Women's Nations Cup.
Canada was never able to convincingly force France off their game, as the French side dominated the majority of contact situations. For the Canadians and the weather, the game was played uncharacteristically tight to the breakdown.
Canada looked to start well as winger Julianne Zussman successfully contested Canada’s kickoff in front of a raring home crowd at Appleby College, but Canada was not able to carry the momentum in a game interrupted by costly penalties.
France’s fly half Aurelie Bailon easily split the uprights 10 minutes into the match after a Canadian penalty was called under the shadow of the posts, foreshadowing the outcome of the game.
The two countries traded possession and territory, but the Canadians were unable to solve the French’s solid defense, until fullback Cheryl Phillips laced her way through a gap and opened up the backline.
As the catalyst, Phillips’ break brought the ball to France’s two metre line where Barbara Mervin was able to cross for the try. Fly half Anna Schnell successfully converted, bringing the tally to a misleading 7-3 in Canada’s favor as France were very much still in the game.
The visiting team kicked well for territory, and, though countered well by Canada’s back three, was able to slowly make its way downfield. Canada’s defensive line, led by captain Leslie Cripps’ governing tackles, did not break for the full 80 minutes. This forced France to turn to the boot of Bailon whenever she was within her range.
When France did momentarily break the red wall, holes were quickly filled with try-saving tackles by backrow players Barbara Mervin, Jen Kish and Heather Jaques.
Both teams looked relatively fresh in the 30 degree heat as France took a narrow 9-7 lead into half.
The second half would be a points stalemate until, after consistently slowing down Canada’s ball, France capitalized on another Canadian penalty directly in front of the posts to reach the game’s final score of 12-7.
Canada’s forwards played strong in the set piece and were able to disrupt France’s ball on scrums several times, led by scrumhalf Julia Sugawara, who cheekily turned over the ball but was unable to link up with the rest of her team.
A late surge in the game, after substitutions Marlene Donaldson and Laura Stoughton stepped on the pitch, saw Canada battle its way downfield after holding up a France try to get within scoring position, but were not able to translate the opportunity to the scoreboard.
A yellow card against France’s no.8 Gabrielle Mutis for a repeat infringement of not releasing the ball looked promising, but Bailon used her boot once again to solve her team’s player shortage.
Today’s result does not rub out the fantastic work the Canadian side has done thus far as a group. Rather, it provides a measuring stick and a mirror for the work that has yet to be done before Wednesday’s game, and ultimately the 2010 World Cup.
Head coach John Long was somber but not disheartened after the match.
“We’re working on our game management and the little things let us down today; we lacked a bit of execution. Of course it was not from lack of effort. We scored the try but gave up too many penalties.”
Danielle Rowlands, Tara Eckert and Ashley Macdonald made their debuts for Canada today, though Long says you would never know they were new.
“All three new caps did a grand job. It’s tough going into the cauldron of France but they all played very admirably and didn’t look out of sorts.”
Every quality international game presents an amazing learning opportunity and Canada will look to build upon the lessons learned in today’s close loss when they face USA on Wednesday.
“We’ve had good wins against the States and though they’ve all been very good games, we are viewing the match as a winning opportunity. It’s a process for us and we’ll keep building, not to be discouraged by today.”
Looking to amend today’s result, Canada takes on USA and South Africa will face unbeaten England on Wednesday in the fourth day of action at the 2009 Nations Cup.
