Women’s Rugby World Cup: Round 2 Recap
- therookiereporters
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Round 2 is done and dusted! We have had some great battles again, let’s check out what happened this weekend.
Canada v Wales
Wales began the game strong and dominant with many attacking phases in the opposition’s half, but they couldn't beat Canada (who are ranked 2nd in the world). A debut try from Asia Hogan-Rochester, an impressive 60-meter run, helped contribute to Canada's win and to carry them through to the quarter finals.
Score: 42-0 to Canada
Scotland v Fiji
Scotland proved to be the ones to watch in this match, with McGhie scoring 2 minutes in. Fiji's Vika Matarug was sent off in the 9th minute due to a high tackle that gave her a yellow card. This left them with only 14 players, but they didn't make it easy for Scotland to win; the Fijians still put 3 tries over the line. Scotland came back with force to put 7 points on the board shortly after the interval. This win means that Scotland are through to the quarter finals for the first time since 2002 after beating Fiji.
Score: 29-15 to Scotland
England v Samoa
Despite England breaking their record score by scoring 14 tries in a World Cup game, Samoa didn't go down without a fight. They gained the first points of the tournament through a penalty kick, which Harmony Vatau took. It was met with an enormous cheer from the crowd (as if they had just won the game). Jess Breach gave us a tremendous performance to get a hat-trick of tries, while Rowlands scored an impressive 27 points (1 try, 11 conversions), earning her Player of the Match with jaw-dropping kicks, nearly from the sideline.
Score: 92-3 to England
USA v Australia
Desiree Miller got the early lead for the Wallaroos with a try in the 7th minute. The USA responded with Tafuna scoring 20 minutes later, and in the second half with teammate Keia Mae Sagapolu to put them in the lead temporarily. However, the girls from down under kept battling the Eagles to make it a draw at full-time.
Score: 31-31 draw
Ireland v Spain
Ireland started on the right foot, scoring 2 tries in the opening few minutes to make it 12–0. Yet this didn't dampen the Spanish spirit, with them equalising the scoreboard half an hour in. Both sides continued to furiously fight, but in the end, a try by McGann at 70 minutes sealed the score at 43-27.
Score: 43-27 to Ireland
New Zealand v Japan
Japan defied all expectations by scoring the opening try with Hatada. This didn’t shake the Black Ferns as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored her 50th try, making her New Zealand’s all-time top try-scorer. Even knowing they were unlikely to win, with the score being 38-5 at half-time, Japan fought on to score another two tries and a penalty.
Score: 62-19 to New Zealand
Italy v South Africa
South Africa scored two tries early on, but Italy responded with a try from Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi. Despite Italy stepping out of the changing rooms for the second half behind South Africa, they powered through to equalise. The two nations went back and forth, but a try from Mcatshulwa six minutes from the whistle meant South Africa took home another win.
Score: 29-24 to South Africa
France v Brazil
The French came into this game full of positivity after their win against Italy the previous weekend. They stormed their way to the try line numerous times, with Morland scoring on her debut and Bourdon scoring after a ban (she was also named Player of the Match). Despite being slightly discouraged by France’s dominant play, everything changed after Bianca Silva scored her first try in a Women’s Rugby World Cup! It’s safe to say this moment ignited a flood of emotions from Brazilian fans in the crowd as they watched their team celebrate.
Score: 84-5 to France
Table Standings
Pool A
1 - England
2 - Australia
3 - USA
4 - Samoa
Pool B
1 - Canada
2 - Scotland
3 - Fiji
4 -Wales
Pool C
1 - New Zealand
2 - Ireland
3 - Japan
4 - Spain
Pool D
1 - South Africa
2 - France
3 - Italy
4 - Brazil
Round 3 match schedule (BST)
6th September
12:00 Canada v Scotland
13:30 USA v Samoa
14:45 Wales v Fiji
17:00 England v Australia
7th September
12:00 Japan v Spain
14:00 Italy v Brazil
14:45 New Zealand v Ireland
16:45 France v South Africa
Article written by Laila D and Alice Seager ©️Alice Seager 2025
