The Rugby World Cup is heating up as the top contenders for the trophy—England, Canada, and New Zealand—kicked off their campaigns with impressive yet imperfect outcomes. The opening matches at Twickenham showcased dominant scorelines: England triumphed over the USA with a score of 69-7, Canada defeated Fiji 65-7, and New Zealand secured a solid 54-8 victory against Spain. Despite these results, questions loom over whether any team has clearly distinguished itself as the frontrunner.
England’s Strong Yet Flawed Performance
Host nation England demonstrated their might on the field but acknowledged areas needing refinement. Key concerns included difficulties in restarts and unforced handling errors. Head coach John Mitchell expressed optimism regarding the team’s growth: “There is always something to work on; this game is never finite. We will move that into the next preparation,” he noted.
Positives such as a robust scrum were highlighted, particularly through standout performances from props Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman. Player of the Match Ellie Kildunne also showcased her talent with a remarkable play contributing to one of England’s 11 tries. Despite a somewhat rusty start, the Red Roses possess the potential to evolve as the tournament progresses.
New Zealand Faces Obstacles, Yet Remains Resolute
For the defending champions, New Zealand, the match against Spain presented unexpected challenges. The Spanish defense proved stout, limiting the Black Ferns’ offensive opportunities. Jorja Miller was particularly impressive, taking advantage of any openings presented, showcasing her potential as a player to watch in the tournament.
New Zealand’s resilience in facing adversities was another takeaway from the match. Despite ending the game with only 13 players, they managed to maintain a strong defensive setup, though they conceded a try. Injury concerns arose with back-row Kaipo Olsen-Baker and wing Ayesha Leti-I’iga both forced off the pitch. Fortunately, initial assessments indicated no fractures for Olsen-Baker, while Leti-I’iga’s status remains under review. Amy du Plessis also sustained a shoulder injury, but all three players travel with the squad for their upcoming match against Japan.
Handling errors marred New Zealand’s gameplay; however, their goal-kicking was a significant strong point. Full-back Renee Holmes confidently converted seven out of eight attempts, slightly edging out England’s Zoe Harrison and Canada’s Sophie de Goede in accuracy from the tee.
Canada Leverages Kicking Strategy
Canada’s approach against Fiji leaned heavily into the kicking game, attempting a total of 24 kicks from hand, significantly more than England’s 15 and New Zealand’s 13. This strategy yielded results, aided by the remarkable performance of full-back Julia Schell, who scored six tries in the second half, exponentially increasing her tally from the tournament.
Head coach Kévin Rouet expressed satisfaction with the depth of the squad, emphasizing the importance of having 23 players who can contribute effectively: “I am very happy. The idea was to have 23 players coming onto the pitch and playing this game, and I think we achieved that.”
France’s Steady Start
While not among the primary favorites for the trophy, France opened their campaign with a 24-0 victory over Italy. Although Les Bleues’ performance lacked the flair typically associated with them, the return of star scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus from suspension could bolster their chances moving forward.
Current Favorites and Outlook
Despite the various challenges and notable performances across the matches, England remains the favorite, buoyed by their 28-match winning streak and home advantage. However, with Canada and New Zealand showcasing comparable strengths, the tournament promises to be an exhilarating contest as teams refine their strategies for the games ahead.
