Canada defeated the USA 26-13 Friday night at Infinity Park, overcoming an early USA try and a late red card to win the series with the Eagles 2-0.

The USA came very close to scoring more than the one try, getting bundled into touch, getting turned over, and dropping the ball all within five meters of the tryline.

Still it was an Eagle try that opened the scoring just a few minutes into the game. A penalty led to an attacking lineout, and from there captain and No. 8 Kate Zackary popped off the back of the maul, sold a dummy, and stretched over with flanker Karen Paquin dragging her down. Gabby Cantorna converted and it was 7-0 USA.

But that lasted almost no time at all. A penalty led to a lineout for Canada and they charged through to the line. They looked to have scored twice before finally someone (we think i was Sophie de Goede) picked it up and was over.

USA v Canada Lineups

Right after that, the Eagles made a mistake. Flanker Rachel Johnson cut in to make a tackle but it wasn’t her tackle to make. Flanker Courtney Holtkamp took the pass and had some open field. She shrugged off a weak tackle from McKenzie Hawkins and was in for the try. 

Canada now led 12-7. Cantorna added a penalty goal but Canada was scoring tries, and this time it was all because of de Goede. The No. 8 saw no one was around the edge of the ruck, and she picked up and rambled about 20 meters before she was dragged down. Prop Alex Ellis was there to finish the job and it was 19-10 at halftime.

The USA was perhaps fortunate to be that close. Their passing was poor—too many players had to reach up or jump to catch those passes—and their body height in tackling was far too high. Too high, that is, unless they were going low, in which case small, light players were trying to drag down big, strong forwards by body weight, which wasn’t going to work.

In the second half the USA defense was far, far better and that translated into scoring opportunities. Still there were mistakes, chief among them players like prop Nick James trying to flip passes out of contact when that’s just not her skill set. 

Courtney rocks!

It's a brilliant try for @RugbyCanada's @CourtHoltkamp as she exploits the space out wide and beats the last USA defender#USAvCAN pic.twitter.com/JXWacjuVkk

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) November 6, 2021

In addition, too many players went on their own instead of simply passing. As a result, the best player on the team, Zackary, wasn’t carrying the ball up, she was passing to set an example.

But some impressive work from locks Jenny Kronish and Kristine Sommer, and a huge run from Johnson put the Eagles in scoring position.

But one player stretching to score dropped the ball. Another, Sommer, was passed the ball just as she was shoved into touch. Ilona Maher came close but had very little support.

The tries just didn’t come. Cantorna added another penalty, but that was it, and even when Canada lock Laetitia Royer got her second yellow card, and therefore a red, it was Canada who scored.

Paquin, who was brilliant all day, cruised through some pretty desultory tackling and sealed the deal with a try.

For the USA, they clearly showed they have the ability to attack.

The backs couldn't get as much going as they wanted because Canada's defense was up very quickly. But Alev Kelter tried, although she seemed a bit on her own. Prop Hope Rugers was immense, again, and hooker Saher Hamden showed some pace and elusiveness with the ball.

But really dumb penalties (blasting the scrumhalf when she’s clearly digging for the ball and the ball is still in the ruck), slow, loopy passes, and lack of patience when the tryline beckons hurt the USA again.