Ten standout moments from World Cup pool stage

Half of the teams have already passed the quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, France and South Africa all progressed.

However, those who are departing also had significant memories.

Fiji captain Alfreda Fisher broke down in tears before her side’s final game of the World Cup against Wales.

She said, “We will give it our best effort and finish on a high,” but it’s the last one.

The 21-year-old captain of Fiji is the youngest ever to lead the nation, and Exeter’s winning team defeated Wales 28-25.

“This is huge, it’s massive for Fiji Rugby and Fijiana. I think the team succeeded in achieving this goal by launching this initiative to inspire young women and girls in Fiji to play rugby back home. Head coach Ioan Cunningham praised them in awe.

Samoa, whose part-time players have had to crowdfund to take their place in the tournament, were the other Pacific Island side to qualify for the World Cup.

They both had their moment, too.

Harmony Vatau’s team trailed 47-0 to England when they kicked a penalty to give Samoa its first points since 2014.

Women’s World Cup debutants Brazil failed to score a try in their opening defeat by South Africa.

And that legendary first try extended beyond them when they lost to a formidable France side in their second pool match 72-0.

However, Bianca Silva, the star full-back and sevens captain, dummied and ran over the top half of the pitch to score. A fitting first World Cup try in only Brazil’s 18th XVs Test match.

Silva’s rugby career began after being chosen from the Brazilian favelas [shanty towns] to play for a charity project, and the scorer was appropriate as well.

As the 27-year-old accelerated clear, the Exeter crowd erupted. Only the French were not willing her on.

Not only did South Africa reach their first ever Women’s World Cup quarter-final, but they did it with a game to spare.

On August 31, Italy defeated Brazil 29-24 to seal a consoling victory that came after a comfortable opening win over Brazil.

The crucial win at York Community Stadium was secured by Sinazo Mcatshulwa’s late try, which came just after France’s hammering of Brazil.

Destructive number eight Aseza Hele has been the Springbok Women’s standout performer, bagging four tries in the opening two games.

The South African men’s team has won four world championships, but the women’s side has finally been able to compete at the highest level.

After the win over Italy, prop Babalwa Latsha described it as “a watershed moment.”

“We’ve been building up to it for the past three, four years – many sacrifices have been made and many tears have been cried for South African women’s rugby.

New Zealand, the reigning world champion, can hit the perfect time.

It was difficult to tell how well-prepared Spain and Japan were after being hammered by the lowest-ranked nations.

But a 40-0 thrashing of Ireland, who beat the world champions last September, in Exeter to top Pool C and set up a quarter-final with South Africa was a statement performance that has been missing since they won the last World Cup.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee, an 18-year-old wing, scored her second hat-trick in a row, and Jorja Miller, a 21-year-old flanker, put together another powerful performance.

Any team may find New Zealand intimidating due to the combination of young people and seasoned World Cup winners from three years ago.

” I will say it over and over again, the Black Ferns have won six Rugby World Cups, “former England captain Maggie Alphonsi told BBC Sport.

It almost seems like they try to do something between World Cups and lose a few games.

After defeating Fiji 29-15 in round two, Scotland became the first team to advance to the quarter-finals.

They will face World Cup favourites England in Bristol on Sunday, 14 September in their first Women’s World Cup knockout game since 2002.

Following the revealing that some players were still suffering with their mental and emotional health as a result of their potential contracts expiring, this was only months away.

Bryan Easson also announced over the summer that he would step down as the tournament’s head coach.

Francesca McGhie scored a hat-trick to help Easson’s side to a comfortable opening win over rivals Wales.

The winner of the pool decider was then dispatched by Fiji to meet World Cup rivals Canada.

The 42, 579 spectators who watched New Zealand win the 2022 World Cup final at Eden Park were defeated at the highest level in women’s World Cup history at Stadium of Light.

Full-back Ellie Kildunne starred, scoring twice, but it was her footballing skills – fitting of the venue – that brought one of the loudest roars.

Jess Breach scored for her own grubber kick after using her thigh to knock the ball up before the women’s world player of the year reclaimed her own.

Many of the Sunderland players who are now back in the Premier League would be proud of their individual talent.

Rassie Erasmus, the South Africa men’s coach, set the tone for innovation and dominated the first 80 minutes.

Nicknamed the ‘ bomb squad ‘ – Erasmus regularly fills his bench with six, sometimes even seven forwards to come on at the same time early in the second half to grind a team down.

Swys de Bruin, the coach of Springbok Women’s, stuck to his country’s tradition and unleashed six forwards in the opening 66-6 victory over Brazil in the 50th minute.

“I’m a rugby player first, but so many times people forget.”

Before the opening game of the USA against England, social media sensation Ilona Maher made it clear that she wanted her rugby to speak for herself. Maher has nearly nine million followers on her Instagram, TikTok, and X channels.

“I am proud to do both but I do want to be known as a rugby player”, Maher told BBC Sport.

The 29-year-old has certainly done that, running 163 meters and forcing three turnovers throughout the USA’s World Cup campaign.

The United States advanced to the knockout stages despite winning the tournament 60-0 over Samoa, with Australia advancing on points after both teams played out a thrilling 31-31 draw in round two.

Maher’s team-mates might be heading home, but she is planning to stick around.

“It’s been amazing how England [as Rugby World Cup hosts] have really stepped up and done so much for women’s rugby and the opportunity to change it,” Maher said.

“This will take up three more weeks!” I hope all the girls get to take it to new heights. I’ll be watching the entire series.

Surprisingly, this World Cup’s Maher TikTok does not lead in terms of the view count.

Caitlyn Halse, 18, holds the record for her warm family embrace after drawing with the USA in York so far in the tournament.

The video of Halse’s father pulling her up to the stands with a tight hug has an astonishing 13 million views.

England’s record opening crowd in Sunderland kicked off an impressive number of ticket sales across the tournament.

As of September 2nd, 410, 000 tickets had been sold in all venues, including Twickenham’s final.

A staggering 30% of attendees have never before attended a rugby game.

Over 30, 000 people watched the Red Roses defeat Australia in Brighton on Saturday, with that same venue bouncing again for New Zealand’s win over Ireland on Sunday.

Double-headers across the nation have also contributed to a larger crowd and created unique atmospheres.

Big sporting events have also been a part of big events, with former England captain Jamie George appearing in Brighton and Lioness Chloe Kelly watching England beat Samoa in Northampton.

Yet those guest appearances were topped by Catherine, Princess of Wales, who was also in Brighton.