Archive August 30, 2025

Canada (28) 42

de Goede 6 Corrigan, Hogan-Rochester, Perry, and Kassil Cons: Hunt 2 Corrigan.

After Canada once more delivered a masterclass in attacking rugby with a six-try blitz as their place in the knockouts was confirmed, Wales’ World Cup is on the verge of ending.

Wales needed to shock everyone and defeat the world’s second-ranked team to bolster its slim chances of moving up Pool B.

In the second game of the group, Fiji must defeat Scotland to determine Sean Lynn’s side’s fate. Wales would have a chance of passing the Fijians next Saturday in Exeter if Fiji won in what would be a stunning victory.

Despite a promising start in Wales, Salford was all about the Canucks.

With two McKinley Hunt tries and scores from Alysha Corrigan and Asia Hogan-Rochester in the opening half, they had the bonus point done.

Both sides had made adjustments before the second round, with Canada likely to have improved since last weekend’s 11-try victory over Fiji, while Wales welcomed back Georgia Evans and Abbie Fleming along with some inexperienced youngsters.

Wales needed to get off to a good start after conceding in the opening minute against Scotland last weekend, and they did so by holding up Hogan-Rochester right away.

Lisa Neumann and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, both with wings, had a good time camping out in Canada’s 22 for ten minutes, both having a chance.

Slow ball prevented the forwards from advancing past a determined defense, but the forwards pushed it up.

The first-time captain Bethan Lewis, who had found space outside, sailed the ball over the outstretched hands of the Lleucu George cross-field kick, which had given him the best chance.

Wales’ line-out remained sluggish as a result of Canada receiving an easy out and the subsequent half-hour of clinical instruction.

Hunt, who made her first start-up debut this week, was given her first score after the forwards patiently allowed her to enter the posts.

In the second try, Corrigan discovered a gap on her wing after forwards and backs combined for an offloading game that Wales simply could not handle.

After the break, it appeared more like it came from Canada, and Gabrielle Senft did it for a knock-on while her Saracens teammate Evans was sent off for a high tackle, adding to Wales’ woes.

With Perry falling over, Kassil was drafted in from the back of a powerful maul, and Wales was even more exposed.

Fans had something to celebrate when Wales Under-20s captain Branwen Metcalfe made her senior debut despite their struggles to gain any foothold in the competition. The coach-load of Nant Conwy RFC supporters, who produced both Metcalfe and Pyrs sisters, accompanied Gwenllian as she won her 50th cap, gave the crowd the biggest cheer.

In the final moments, Wales worked tirelessly to score, and replacement hooker Kelsey Jones appeared to have crossed from a driving lineout, but referee Hollie Davidson said the ball was held up despite preliminary evaluations that indicated the ball had been grounded.

The Canadian defense was up to the challenge, but Carys Cox also appeared dangerous out wide.

Both teams had their benches emptied in the final minutes, but Canada had done all the damage in the opening half, defeating Wales in their final eight matches.

Their conduct has not had a significant impact on their standing as tournament rivals, with favorites England likely watching closely ahead of their round-two match against Samoa.

Gillian Boag, Brittany Kassil, Olivia DeMerchant, Courtney O’Donnell, Fabiola Forteza, Olivia Apps, Claire Gallagher, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa are the replacements.

Wales: Nel Metcalfe, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Keira Bevan, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans,

The 18-year-old England Under-19s midfielder celebrated after receiving the goal on-field, but it was later dismissed as offside as a result of a video assistant referee’s (VAR) intervention.

Three passes later, King was in behind the Chelsea defense, and Fulham won the ball just outside their own box.

In the 22nd minute, King rushed into the box and shifted the ball to King’s right to stop Blues center Tosin Adarabioyo from play before firing a low past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

However, Robert Jones was given the task of looking for a foul on the pitchside monitor before the goal.

Trevoh Chalobah was deemed fouled by Rodrigo Muniz as he attempted to turn the Chelsea defender near the halfway point.

King’s goal was declared out for a “careless challenge,” the referee told the audience.

The Fulham number nine makes a careless challenge after being reviewed and stands on the foot of a Chelsea defender. We decide to stop the goal and kick off with a free kick from Chelsea. The Premier League match center on X was quoted as saying, “There would be no further action.”

A “careless challenge” is defined as one that “acts without precaution or lacks consideration when making a challenge” according to the Premier League rulebook.

Not everyone, however, agreed to rule out the objective.

Former Aston Villa and Derby County defender Curtis Davies stated on BBC Radio 5 Live, “The whole point of VAR is clear and obvious,” adding that “we’ve probably said this a thousand times and I’m getting bored of saying it.”

“We’re watching a young man run away and score a goal, but it’s just being pulled back.”

You’re going to look for a needle in a haystack with every choice, they say, “It’s really ridiculous.”

It’s the worst decision I’ve seen this season, said Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy. It completely disregards the game’s fundamental principles.

Muniz tries to do a wonderful bit of skill, but he accidentally catches Chalobah as he tries to balance himself. The goal was denied because VAR claimed it was a careless challenge, but it is a pirouette in the middle of the pitch.

It’s “absolutely awful officiating.” It’s one thing to have the referee come and look at it, but it’s odd for Rob Jones to ignore that it’s a tackle. I don’t believe anyone who understands the game, regardless of whether you’ve played it or not, can substitute that for a free kick.

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