Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Down to the final four: Who will be key to their team making the final?

Portia Woodman of New Zealand runs the ball during the Rugby World Cup 2021 Quarterfinal match between New Zealand and Wales at Northland Events Centre on October 29, 2022 in Whangarei, New Zealand.

Here we are, after a flurry of noise and colour, with only four games left to play in Rugby World Cup 2021. After four weeks of intense sleep deprivation and excessive coffee consumption (and that’s just those of us watching from here in the UK) we’re left with the best of the best about to face off in the semi-finals.

ADVERTISEMENT

So far, it’s been a hugely entertaining tournament, the group stages in particular were a huge amount of fun. The emergence of Fijiana as arch entertainers, France almost stopping the Red Roses juggernaut and Giada Franco’s mum are just a few highlights that we’ll all remember for years to come.

In the quarter finals themselves we’ve returned to business as usual, with the top seeded teams all comfortably securing their places in the final four. All four teams have played some consistently excellent rugby with a few standout players particularly catching the eye. Here are just a few who will be key to their team progressing to the final.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Canada’s captain Sophie de Goede is a very special player. This isn’t news to Canadian fans, or anyone who watched her during her time with Saracens Women for that matter, but it’s worth stating nonetheless. Not only is de Goede a barnstorming back row, strong enough to take shifts as a lock, dynamic enough to be a regular try scorer, with an engine that regularly sees her among the top ranks in terms of metres gained, but she consistently provides her team with tenacious defensive performances too. All that and she’s also kicking conversions with enviable accuracy.

Next week she’ll clash with the Red Roses back row and she’ll not have faced a more formidable unit. It would be easy to make a case for any of them, indeed for most of the Red Roses team, as ones to watch, but right now Marlie Packer is on the form of her life, seeming to find a new gear with every outing, from try-scoring to ferocious tackles by way of a knack for a turnover. Packer is also a vocal presence who the rest of the England team look to for words of encouragement when heads might otherwise drop. In short, she’s the heartbeat of Simon Middleton’s team.

Related

Flipping across to the other semi-final and the Black Ferns aren’t short of choices. Stacey Fluhler has been superb in the centres, everyone who didn’t already realise Ruby Tui was awesome has fallen in love with her post-match interviews… but for me it has to be Portia Woodman. The winger snatched the record for most World Cup tries over the weekend and has been on deadly form in every game. A former World Player of the Year in both 15s and sevens, don’t be shocked to see her on the shortlist once more.

If you’d told me a month ago, I would be writing this I would have assumed Laure Sansus would be the leading name for Les Bleus, but sadly with her tournament cut short and her retirement announced that isn’t to be. Pauline Bourdon has been excellent in the nine shirt since her partner was injured, and Madoussou Fall is imperious as ever in the engine room of the pack.

ADVERTISEMENT

For me though, Gabrielle Vernier has been immense for her team. A distributor, a hard-hitting runner and a tenacious defender, she’s kept the French backline ticking, especially when Caroline Drouin at ten goes walkabout. Vernier showed her value against England in the group stages and should France find their way past the hosts next weekend she will surely be in the thick of it all.

Let’s look ahead then and see how next Saturday will pan out. I don’t have a crystal ball to hand but I’ll give predictions a go anyway. If the players I’ll be keeping an eye on tell us one thing, it’s that the first semi-final will be won through the forwards while the second may well see the backs taking control.

First up England v Canada: it will be a pitched battle and if the conditions are anything like we saw last weekend this will definitely be a game for set piece fans to revel in. Ultimately, I don’t see the Canucks having quite enough to keep the Red Roses at bay and I think England will find their way into the final.

The second game is harder to call. My head says France will triumph; they have beaten New Zealand twice in the last twelve months after all. My heart is quick to point out that this is a much different Black Ferns team though and they are playing some wonderful rugby. I’m going to give the hosts the edge, crowd support is always a factor in these games and they’ll have the lion’s share of the audience behind them, so chalk up a Black Ferns win.

ADVERTISEMENT

So there you have it, hardly surprising but these two teams are favourites for a reason. As for who wins the final… well I’ll be picking England, of course.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

R
RedWarriors 21 minutes ago
How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock

Williams is right in that the intention of the Law is what is important here for how this is sorted out. That is what a lot of supreme courts do in working out the intention of laws poorly written. Owen Doyle’s recent article in the Irish Times seems to establish that answer. The intention was 5:3 —- Three specialist front row players on the bench, plus a secondrow, and a backrow player, hence five. The backs were allowed to cover the specialist positions of nine and ten. Finally, one utility back would be permitted, making up the three.

First of all, and most importantly, it was never the intention of the law to allow other than 5-3. I was part of the law group that determined the IRFU’s position on how things work currently. In short, we agreed with what was being proposed. It was to ensure that there must be three specialist front row players on the bench, plus a secondrow, and a backrow player, hence five. The backs were allowed to cover the specialist positions of nine and ten. Finally, one utility back would be permitted, making up the three.

When the actual law was written, the frontrow requirement was specifically defined, and written into the laws. The other replacements were not defined. Nobody considered for a moment, even in a wild dream, that a 7-1 would ever be on the cards.

Re the Arendse try: look at Arendse’s actions again. As the French players are gathering to catch he pushes one of them in the back into another French player who then fumbles the catch. As the cross field kick is now de riguer, you don’t get away with that any more. It’s good play by Arendse but nowadays it gets spotted.

2 Go to comments
I
Indrani aushal 31 minutes ago
England rout Scotland to set up Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider

The aftermath of falling victim to a cryptocurrency scam is often a whirlwind of anger, regret, and helplessness. After losing a significant portion of my savings to a cunning fraud scheme, I was consumed by the belief that my funds were irretrievable until I discovered TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY. This exceptional team didn’t just recover my assets; they reignited my hope in the face of digital deception. From the outset, TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY’s approach radiated competence and compassion. Their consultants listened intently to my story, validating the emotional weight of my situation while swiftly pivoting to actionable solutions. What struck me was their refusal to exploit my vulnerability, a stark contrast to other firms I had approached. They presented a transparent fee structure and realistic timelines, establishing credibility that immediately put me at ease. Their recovery strategy was a masterclass in precision. Utilizing cutting-edge blockchain analysis tools, the team dissected the scam’s infrastructure, uncovering hidden trails in the decentralized labyrinth. Rather than applying boilerplate methods, they engineered a bespoke plan tailored to the scam’s unique mechanics. Their communicators maintained a steady cadence of updates, translating technical jargon into digestible insights without ever leaving me in the dark.What truly amazed me was their adaptability. When initial attempts hit roadblocks, the team recalibrated their tactics, demonstrating both resilience and ingenuity. Their collaborative spirit shone through as they consulted external cybersecurity experts to fortify their approach, a testament to their commitment to leaving no stone unturned. The outcome exceeded my wildest expectations. TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY retrieved approximately 95% of my stolen cryptocurrency in under a month. The moment I saw the funds restored in my wallet was surreal, a victory I had dismissed as a fantasy weeks earlier. Beyond financial recovery, they equipped me with actionable advice to safeguard future transactions, transforming my traumatic experience into a learning opportunity.TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY’s integrity is its crown jewel. They never compromised ethics for expediency, even when confronting the scam’s orchestrators. Their adherence to legal frameworks and respect for privacy reinforced my trust in their operations. For those reeling from crypto scams, this team is essential. They illuminate paths to redemption with unwavering expertise. My journey with them was more than a service transaction; it was a partnership anchored in mutual respect. To anyone questioning whether recovery is possible, let my experience answer.  With TECH CYBER FORCE RECOVERY, it’s not just possible, it’s probable.CONTACT THEM FOR EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS  EMAIL Techcybersforcerecovery@cyberservices.com    TELEGRAM (@)TECHCYBERFORC

1 Go to comments
E
Eliza Galloway 39 minutes ago
Late Makazole Mapimpi try earns the Sharks win away to Edinburgh

Email: prowizardgilbertrecovery(@)  engineer.comWhatsApp: +1 (920) 408‑1234Telegram: https://t.me/Pro_Wizard_Gilbert_RecoveryI never imagined I’d become a victim of a scam—especially in the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency. When I was offered a chance to appear on a popular crypto podcast, I was excited. It seemed like a golden opportunity to gain exposure, connect with industry professionals, and build credibility within the crypto community. The podcast appeared legitimate, complete with a sleek website, professional branding, glowing testimonials, and an active social media presence.After a few exchanges with the supposed host, I was asked to pay $9,500 to secure my spot on the show. Trusting the apparent professionalism of the platform, I went ahead with the payment. I envisioned the new doors this would open—partnerships, recognition, and new opportunities. But everything changed once the payment was made.Suddenly, all communication stopped. My emails and messages went unanswered. The podcast’s website vanished, and so did their social media presence. That’s when reality hit—I had been scammed.I was devastated. Angry, embarrassed, and desperate to find a solution, I began searching for help. That’s when I discovered PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY. At first, I was skeptical, but with nothing left to lose, I decided to reach out.To my surprise, their team responded quickly and took my case seriously. Using advanced investigative tools and digital tracking techniques, they began tracing the scammer’s digital footprint. I watched as they worked tirelessly, putting the pieces together.Amazingly, PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY was able to recover 95% of my lost funds. The relief I felt was indescribable. Not only did I get back most of what I lost, but I also walked away with a hard-earned lesson about the importance of due diligence and caution in the digital world.While I wish I had never fallen into the trap, I’m incredibly thankful for the support and professionalism of PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY. They didn’t just recover my money—they helped restore my peace of mind. I’m sharing my story in hopes that it helps others avoid the same mistake and encourages them to stay vigilant in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.

2 Go to comments
J
Julio Langworth 1 hour ago
Depoortere prolonge jusqu'en 2028 avec Bordeaux-Bègles

In 2024, I received a substantial tax refund, which I saw as a golden opportunity to improve my financial situation. Eager to invest, I became interested in Bitcoin, a digital currency that many believe represents the future of finance. Unfortunately, my excitement led me to a fraudulent company that promised incredible returns on investments. Their persuasive tactics and seemingly legitimate operations drew me in, but it didn’t take long for me to realize that I had been deceived, and my hard-earned money $572,000 had vanished.Feeling devastated and hopeless after losing such a significant amount, I reached out to a friend who had faced a similar ordeal. They recommended a company called GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , which specializes in recovering lost Bitcoin. Although I was skeptical, my desperation pushed me to contact them for help.From the very first interaction with GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , I was impressed by their understanding and willingness to help. Their team guided me through the recovery process, providing the support I needed during this challenging time. They explained each step clearly and kept me informed throughout the entire journey. Their dedication rekindled my hope of recovering my lost funds.Thanks to the diligent efforts of GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , I was able to reclaim my stolen Bitcoin. This experience not only restored my financial situation but also taught me invaluable lessons about the importance of conducting thorough research before making any investments. I now have a solid investment strategy in place and am much more cautious about where I allocate my funds.I want to emphasize the importance of being vigilant in the world of cryptocurrency. While Bitcoin offers tremendous potential as an investment, it also attracts scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting individuals. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I strongly encourage you to seek help from a trustworthy recovery service like GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES .Investing in Bitcoin can be a rewarding venture, but it is crucial to approach it with caution. Always perform comprehensive research and remain skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true,but if fallen victim to scam a GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES is available for you.You can reach them on whatsapp +18582759508, web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

0 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock
Search