The big one. Canada v England, Saturday, 4.00. BBC1

[Reiser99]

That's game I think. England's defence has been the difference between this and the semi final for Canada. Canada played well, but New Zealand defended poorly. England have made them work for everything and not given them easy opportunities to build momentum.

 

[Saintjay]

Twenty up, think that's the game. England pretty cool, calm and very well drilled.

 

[AlRums]

Wonderful insight "that's a bouncing rugby ball"

 

[Ddanno]

Yeah they're done. Both tries were pure luck.

 

[Crash Hamster]

This is basically the bomb squad now...

 

[Deleted member 53362]

England's defence has been punishing

 

[Reiser99]

Congratulations England Women. World Champions and deservedly so.

Out played Canada in pretty much every area and a huge improvement on the semi final.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Thirty seconds to go... "This could be one of the last passages of play"

Anyway, that was powerful stuff by the Boks Roses.

 

[Deleted member 53362]

This is basically the bomb squad now...

You say that likes it's a bad thing

 

[Scotty]

The tackle count is insane, was just 178 tackles, wernt it 205 last week for England too?

 

[Crash Hamster]

You say that likes it's a bad thing

It isn't!

I grew up on Probyn, Moore, Leonard, Acford, Dooley, Richards and love a bit of forward power.

 

[BPM]

The back row were immense. Kabeya, Aldcroft or Matthews could have been POTM.

 

[AlRums]

Fully deserved by England

Their victory was more from defensive rugby than offensive. (Not a criticism)

 

[Saintjay]

Really well played England.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Haven't seen the game yet but well done to all involved, what a result for England!
Was definitely nervy after the two semis

Well done to Canada as well - #1 vs #2 in the final is always good to see, considering the funding they don't get they're such a quality side and can really be proud of how they went in the tournament

 

[Jimbo]

What a game from England that went how I think most expected it to, Canada always had a chance, I think their previous games made people think England would struggle far more, yes their ruck speed and phase play is immense against most opposition but most opposition don't have the aggression, physicality and line speed Englands do, it was always going to be a case of 'if' Canada can maintain the insane ruck speed, even if they did though I always felt that would be a leveller leading to a very tight *** for tat score count not necessarily a path to victory.
The girls should be extremely proud to not have fallen over at the last hurdle, no losses between WC finals is an insane stats and just shows how worthy England are as winners.

 

[Ddanno]

I was pretty nervous before the game because Canada are so dangerous, but we absolutely shut them down. Such a quality display from 1 to 23.

 

[Ddanno]

As a slight aside, I think we should stop referring to them as "the girls" and try "the players" or something. It's 2025.

 

[Saintjay]

As a slight aside, I think we should stop referring to them as "the girls" and try "the players" or something. It's 2025.

Why i think they quite like being girls or women and separate from the men.

They've fully leaned into the pink cow boy hats etc. I'm sure they'd probably like pay parity with the men.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

As a slight aside, I think we should stop referring to them as "the girls" and try "the players" or something. It's 2025.

It's their own label for themselves, so I'm happy to go with it.

 

[Ddanno]

It's their own label for themselves, so I'm happy to go with it.

Ahh fair enough, I had no idea.

 

[Ddanno]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cd9yv2gyngdo
This made me giggle a bit. It's a very Ellie move.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I watched the final. A bit mixed as finals often are, but bar the odd flash of brilliance it was the defence that stood out for me.

The dice throughout were totally loaded in England’s favour. But they still had to go out there and win it and win it they did - fairly easily without any major alarms. You can only beat what’s in front of you, so congratulations on a thoroughly deserved victory. Easily the best team even if seldom hitting top gear. Enjoy the celebrations.

Of course some of the coverage has been predictably hyperbolic. It was a feel good outcome, but the difference between the haves and have nots made for a very uneven spectacle. Even in the final a fully pro and well funded (credit RFU!) team beat the clear no2 side who had to crowd fund to even get here, whose very existence had been on a knife edge and have at least half their players playing over here.

The best article by far I’ve seen is this one and full credit to Alex Matthews for her views. Covers a range of issues including competitiveness in the world game and the difficulties of converting feel good moments into genuine legacies.

https://archive.ph/jIRiZ
Let’s hope that this tournament will help develop the international game and strengthen the domestic one. But there are no long-term guarantees of either.

 

[Rugbyfan564]