The USA did enough and Ireland threw the Eagles a lifeline in the second day of competition in the Women's Rugby World Cup.

The Eagles needed a bonus-point victory over Kazakhstan to have any hope at all of a spot on the semifinals.

After a tense and scoreless first 20 minutes, they got it, scoring eight tries to win 47-7.

“We talked about getting four tries and it was great to see the team be relentless even though we got the bonus point [early],” Head Coach Pete Steinberg told USA Rugby. “The bonus point was important [to us], but so were the points.”

“I was really impressed with how the team came out in the second half,” said captain Kate Daley. “We were really able to come out and play a lot faster and more dynamically.”

But there is more to do.

“We struggled to win clean ball in the first half and our attack was a little static,” noted Steinberg of his team’s performance. “In the second half we cleaned it up and when we played fast, we really did some good stuff.”

That result might have been meaningless ecept for the fact that Ireland shocked New Zealand, and the world, by beating the defending champs 17-14. In what was only their second-ever defeat in the history of the tournament, the Black Ferns were consistently pressurised into mistakes by an aggressive Irish defence and were outscored by two tries to one.

Gary Street’s side, showing 12 changes from the line-up that defeated Samoa on day one, scored six tries to Spain’s one, with Kay Wilson, Danielle Waterman, Laura Keates, Claire Allan and Marlie Packer – who landed a brace – all dotting down. Emily Scarratt added 15 points thanks to a flawless performance from the tee, the 24-year-old centre landing all seven of her attempts at goal to draw rich praise from her head coach.

“It’s great to have a kicking option like Emily Scarratt,” said Street. “I’ve seen a lot of kicking performances from women over the years, but that was one of, if not the, best I’ve ever seen. To get seven from seven in the pressure of a World Cup is a testament to her character." 

 

Like England, Canada boast a perfect 10 points from 10 record after running in half a dozen tries in a 42-7 win over Samoa.

Magali Harvey, hat-trick hero from the first match against Spain, failed to cross the whitewash but still contributed greatly to the Canadian cause through her five conversions before being replaced late in the second half.

Instead, Canada’s tries were scored by Mandy Marchak, Brittany Waters (2), Elissa Alarie, Stephanie Bernier and Andrea Burk, who converted her own try late on.

“We’re very excited about the win today and to get the bonus point was our goal as a team,” said Vancouver native Waters.

“I’m happy about my performance today and scoring two tries, but my team’s effort was what set the platform for them and I think the team effort is what’s most important.

“I think it’s going to be a great game against England on Saturday. I think we improved on our first game and if we can continue to be strong in the breakdown against England we can be successful.”

 

France and Australia are also 2-0, but Australia has not secured the bonus points they will need to get into the semis.

For the second match running Australia fell just short of recording a bonus-point victory, beating Wales 25-3.
 

When Tricia Brown crossed for her second try of the match 10 minutes into the second half the Wallaroos looked good for the maximum five-point return against Wales. However resilient defence and a lack of composure at times in attack prevented the girls in green and gold bettering their three-try return in the opening day win over South Africa.

"I'm very happy with the performance today - they stuck it to us and we're happy to come away with the win,” said Australia captain Shannon Parry. “We know at the end of the day you have to top your pool to go through, so we have a tough battle against France and whoever comes out on top of that will go through."

Australia have yet to concede a try in the tournament while Wales are still looking for their first five-pointer.

 

The first two tries belonged to the pack with No. 8 Safi N’Diaye picking up from the base of a five-metre scrum to get the scoreboard moving before South Africa were pressurised into conceding a penalty try after collapsing a scrum in a similar position.
 

A free-flowing move led to a third try being scored by Elodie Portaries and she was joined on the scoresheet in the first half by Assa Koita and Christelle Le Duff while Celeste Adonis spent time in the sin-bin.

N'Diaye and Le Duff scored their second tries after the break and Elodie Poublan and the pacey Camille Grassineau also got in on the act, to the delight of onlooking men's national team head coach Philippe Saint-Andre, before the night was complete. 

New Zealand is next up for the Eagles on Augusut 9. They need a bonus-point win, and need to hope that a) the loser of Canada v England doesn't get a bonus point, and b) France beats Australia.

“We knew going into this pool we would need to beat New Zealand and that is where we are,” said USA Coach Steinberg. “We hope to be healthy and know that recovery is going to be critical.”