‘Statement’ wins and ‘special’ crowds – World Cup talking points

Record-breaking victories and record attendances were the highlights of the Women’s Rugby World Cup’s opening match.

Ellie Kildunne’s incredible footwork, Julia Schell’s six-try performance, and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s return as a New Zealand World Cup legend were all showcased in this incredible performance.

There was plenty to keep the eye, from notable victories for hosts England, Ireland, and Scotland to battling performances from minnows Fiji, Spain, and Brazil.

England, Canada, and New Zealand all had impressive victories in the beginning.

In Friday night’s opening matchup, hosts and favorites England defeated Ilona Maher’s United States 69-7.

World player of the year Kildunne appeared on the pitch after singer Anne-Marie’s performance at the ceremony’s opening ceremony.

On her way to a superb solo try, she kicked the ball through USA full-back Bulou Mataitoga’s legs like an England Lioness to create the match’s highlight.

Hannah Botterman, England’s top performer, also made a statement win.

Even so, there was still a sense of improvement, with head coach John Mitchell saying that England would “get better” and be even more clinical.

For the Red Roses’ next opponent Samoa on Saturday (17:00 BST), that’s a frightful thought for the other teams in the tournament.

With winger Schell scoring a remarkable six tries in the second half, world number two Canada equaled their best effort by defeating Fiji 65-7.

Schell claimed after the game that a supporter had bet her $200 that she wouldn’t score. She said, “I need to go see him and speak with him.”

Despite having only 13 players in the final quarter of their match, New Zealand blew it away to Spain 54-8.

Woodman-Wickliffe, the 21-year-old flanker who broke the world record, crossed twice to confirm her status as a world-class performer.

France’s 24-0 victory over Italy over the weekend was the closest point total to the weekend, which was a strong victory for one of their Six Nations rivals.

As the quality gap between the teams began to appear around the grounds, a large number of neutrals were supporting underdogs.

When Kolora Lomani scored a second-half try against Canada, there was a wall of noise in the amateur Fijians’ support.

When Brazil won their first World Cup point thanks to the assist of flyhalf Raquel Kochhann, they were roaring on loud in their only 17th Test match.

And Spain won the overcrowding crowd at York Community Stadium when Ines Antolinez scored a memorable try in overtime against New Zealand, who had lost six times.

Head coach Juan Gonzalez said, “We came here to try to inspire the Spanish girls.” “So we’re really happy with [that try],” the statement read.

In every match, aside from the first, there was a feeling that a well-known side was sticking to the script against a less well-known rugby nation.

That was the only exception to Wales being Scotland. In this year’s 24-21 victory over Scotland, only three points separated the pair at the Six Nations.

In Sunderland, England defeated the USA to break the World Cup attendance record of 42, 723 people on the opening night.

That defeated the 42, 579 that gave New Zealand the Eden Park final victory in 2022.

At the Stadium of Light, England supporters resoundingly urged the visitors to advance.

“The fans definitely made a statement,” he continued. After the Test, England’s Kildunne praised him for making that one truly special.

The highest attendance ever for a standalone women’s rugby game is 58 and 498, which was the result of England’s 2023 Six Nations victory over France.

The World Cup final, where tickets for the 82, 000-seat Twickenham stadium have sold out, will be a better match for that, as the tournament as a whole will be the event’s most popular edition.

375, 000 of the 470, 000 tickets sold, according to World Rugby, three times the number from the previous New Zealand World Cup, the tournament had just begun.

Scotland, who put aside off-field issues to win the record six-try victory over Wales, delivered one of the most impressive performances.

Scotland’s preparations were hampered by uncertainty surrounding player contracts, but on Saturday afternoon, they completely outplayed their opponents thanks to Francesca McGhie’s superb hat-trick.

Scotland, who were devasted by a late penalty for Wales in their World Cup opener three years ago, received sweet retribution for the victory.

They are also in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals, but Wales must also beat Canada to survive.

Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm remarked, “The last three years I’ve had that moment on repeat when Keira Bevan slotted home that penalty in the final minute of the last World Cup.”

Eight years after their final World Cup game, Ireland won the game-winning game over Japan.

Since their last appearance on the World Cup stage, Ireland had endured shock qualifying elimination, concerns about funding, facilities, and playing conditions.

With only one member of the squad, replacement hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, having previously played at a World Cup, their performance in Northampton was made even more impressive.

“I’m so proud of each and every one of them,” said injured Ireland back rower Dorothy Wall. “It was amazing.

“One of the best efforts we’ve probably made as a team,” said the team.