Canada has defeated the USA 29-14 in the Women's Rugby World Cup, but both have more rugby to give.

The Eagles put in quite a brave performance and while they were led by their stars, Kate Zackary, Alev Kelter, and Hope Rogers, there were moments for others, too.

Canada started the game with an early try on the back of some consistent pressure, a captain, and a mual. No. 8 Sophie de Goede converted for a 7-0 lead. The Canadians dominated possession throughout the first half, and forced the USA players to make tackles.

For the Eagles, this was easily their best defensive effort. They closed space well and hit hard, forcing several handling errors by the Canadians. All the possession and territory finally told for Canada as flyhalf lex Tessia went over from short range for a 14-0 lead.

But the USA clamped down after that in what was a classic North American rivalry game. Neither side wanted to give an inch. When the USA finally got some time in the Canadian end, a brilliant pass from captain Kate Zackary as she was falling found center Alev Kelter, and she broke through four attempted tackles to score a brilliant try. Kelter converted her own score to make it 14-7.

Canada wasn't fazed, though, and some smooth passing put to wing Paige Farrie who was gone down the left sideline.

That's how the first half ended, 19-7, but the USA was still in it. In fact, as the Eagles were defending their line in the second half, and there was a stoppage, one of the USA players could be heard to say "we will win this [expletive] game." It wasn't true, in the end, but it spoke of the Eagle attitude.

Moments later they produced an outstanding passage of play. The work from the forwards to win ball was impressive and then the backs set up Tess Feury for a try she richly deserved.

However, the try was called back for an obstruction infraction that really was very borderline. A Canadian player ran into an American player; neither had the ball, but the play was already well outside either of them. This could easily have been called tackling the player without the ball except the Canadian player embelished her fall quite successfully. No try, and in fact a penalty for Canada. 

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Moments later a deep kick left Feury with the ball and no support. She was penalized (rightly) for holding-on, and from the snuing maul Canada had their four try.

Back came the USA and this time, thanks for a few penalties (but no cards despite a not-10 right at the tryline) and eventually Zackary dove over. Kelter converted and it was 24-14.

But the USA could not get closer. They had chances but little errors crept in at key times. Canada took control of the final minutes, and, with Zackary in the sin bin, scored as time expired.

USA 14
Tries: Kelter, Zackary
Convs: Kelter 2

Canada 29
Tries: Tuttosi, Tessier, Farries, DeMerchant, Nelson
Convs: De Goede 2

Overall, it may well have been the USA's best performance. Offensively they looked dangerous. Defensively they were brave and tenacious. Stealing the ball in the ruck was difficult,however, because Canada's clearout is world class, their support for players going into contact was excellent, too, and several times their backs caused the USA all sorts of problems.

But the Eagles got little help from the officials, namely referee Aimee Barrett-Theron. Canada's counter-rucks was from the side, repeatedly, and that had an effect on the game. So, too, was the decision not to require the tackler assist (a tackle is made and another defender helps drag the ballcarrier down) to release before poaching the ball. This resulted in several turnovers or holding-on penalties against the USA, but Canada was clearly not releasing the tackled player. The final try-scoring opportunity came directly from just such a non-call.

In addition, the disallowing of Feury's try was picky at best.

Canada was the better team, but the Eagles showed fight.

They also did enough to ensure a quarterfinal spot, as all they needed to do was not fall behind Wales in points difference (and even then they were likely to move on).