The game didn't start in the USA's favor. Two minutes into the Women's Rugby World Cup 5th place semifinal, Australia captain Shannon Parry dotted down a try that Ashleigh Hewson converted. But the Americans were resolute and used every remaining second to claw their way back on top, and the go-ahead points happened in the 79th minute. The USA defeated Australia 23-20 and will play for 5th place on Sunday against New Zealand.

 

It took the USA another eight minutes to light up its half of the scoreboard, as wing Sadie Anderson hit a penalty (7-3). All told, the USA slotted three of six shots at goal, between penalty and conversions, and four players - Anderson, Hannah Stolba, Meya Bizer and Kimber Rozier - accounted for the attempts.

 

The only other scoring that occurred in the first half came from Australia wing Cobie-Jane Morgan, who scored at the 22-minute mark. The Aussies went into the break up 12-3.

 

Aching to cross the tryline, No. 8 Jill Potter did the honors three minutes into the second half, pulling the USA to within four (12-8), but Australia restored the nine-point margin with a try at the 50-minute mark.

 

Ten more minutes went by before lock Carmen Farmer banked her second World Cup try (17-13), but again, Australia answered right back with a Hewson penalty to add some cushion, 20-13.

 

But then it was time for the Eagles to make Australia sweat, picking up pressure in the final quarter. At minute 68, replacement wing Vanesha McGee scored her second World Cup try, and replacement flyhalf Rozier added the extra. Just like that, the game was tied at 20-all.

 

The teams went at it during the final 10 minutes of regulation, and Australia faltered at the wrong moment: in Rozier's range of the posts. The flyhalf slotted the penalty with ease, giving the USA a 23-20 lead with fewer than two minutes remaining.

 

There was some injury time to be played, and Australia made the best of it, hammering its forwards into striking distance of the USA's posts. And then the Eagles faltered, giving up a penalty in their end. Hewson stepped up to the plate knowing her attempt at goal would be the final play of the game. She missed. Game over.

 

The USA returns to the 5th place game on Sunday against a familiar foe, New Zealand, which defeated Wales 40-7 in the other semifinal. Australia and Wales will play for 7th.

 

1 Sarah Chobot

2 Katy Augustyn (Kitt Wagner)

3 Jamie Burke (Hope Rogers)

4 Carmen Farmer

5 Sarah Walsh (Sharon Blaney)

6 Shaina Turley (C)

7 Lynelle Kugler

8 Jillion Potter

9 Jocelyn Tseng

10 Hannah Stolba (Kimber Rozier)

11 Nathalie Marchino

12 Emilie Bydwell

13 Bui Baravilala

14 Sadie Anderson (Vanesha McGee)

15 Meya Bizer

 

Tries: Potter, Farmer, McGee

Cons: Rozier

Pens: Anderson, Rozier