Canada leave USA behind in second half with five tries in 16-minute burst

Canada squared off with neighbours the USA in the final round of the Pacific Four Series, and overcame a tight first half with some dominant play in the second. An onslaught of points between minutes 51 and 67 saw the Canadians end the match as 50-12 victors.

The USA got on the board first after eight minutes, with a try to Hope Rogers coming by way of confrontational phase play.

The USA kept the pressure on thanks to a Canadian lineout overthrow, with Erica Coulibaly making a big break down the left edge before a kick dribbled just over the dead-ball line. That momentum dissipated as Canada benefitted from consecutive penalties and set up camp in the USA half.

One try was overturned when Canada failed to ground the ball cleanly, but just moments later, Sophie de Goede crashed over from the back of a dominant scrum just five metres from the USA line.

The USA were next to have a five-pointer overturned, with star flanker Hann Humphreys held up over the line. A break from Humphreys got her team back on the front foot and inside the Canadian 22 minutes later, but after some more demanding tight carries, another TMO check denied the Americans a try.

Canada benefited from a USA fumble in centrefield when Alex Tessier got her boot to the loose ball and brought loose play deep into USA territory. The visitors chipped away with tight carries until a gap by the ruck opened up for Justine Pelletier to exploit and give her team their first lead of the game.

Consecutive USA penalties were punished with a yellow card to Hope Rogers two minutes from halftime, and her opposite, Daleaka Menin, poured salt in that wound with a try in the 40th minute. That score handed Canada a 19-7 lead at the break.

Gabby Senft got over the line in the 48th minute for Canada, but no try was awarded. Aurora Bowie would have no such issues after running onto a bridge ball moments after play resumed and scoring the first points of what would be a big second half for Canada.

Canada stuck to quick taps with the continuing USA penalties and scored again through quick recycles. It was Claire Gallagher next on the board.

The fullback made a big break down the left edge moments after converting her own try, and the ball then swung to the other wing, where Asia Hogan-Rochester dragged two defenders close enough to the line to reach out and score.

More USA penalties allowed Canada into their 22 once more, and it was swift and merciless finishing from the visitors to claim their 43rd points of the night through Emily Tuttosi. Gallagher scored her second of the night in the 67th minute, the fifth try in the space of 16 minutes, and enough to make the score 50.

The USA had the final say of the game with an unconverted try to Emily Henrich, but the game drew to a close with Canada owning a 50-12 lead.