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Canada too strong for Scotland as US rout Samoa at Women's Rugby World Cup

football06 September 2025 17:18| © AFP
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Emily Tuttosi scored two tries on her Exeter club ground as Canada beat Scotland 40-19 in the Women's Rugby World Cup on Saturday, while the United States thrashed Samoa 60-0 to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive.

Canada and Scotland had both qualified for the last eight before this weekend's final round of group games.

Scotland's loss leaves them likely to face World Cup favourites England should the tournament hosts top Pool A by beating Australia later Saturday.

Such is Australia's points difference advantage over the United States – despite the teams' thrilling 31-31 draw last weekend – they should still face Canada even if they lose to England.

"I'm so thankful to see a full Sandy Park," said Canada hooker Tuttosi, who plays for Exeter in England's elite Premiership Women's Rugby.

"Women's rugby is here and it's here to stay."

Scotland coach Bryan Easson was frustrated by the result.

"When you make small errors against one of the top sides in the world, they capitalise," he said.

"That's what happened. The scoreline doesn't reflect the game."

Canada and Scotland exchanged early tries through McKinley Hunt and Rhona Lloyd.

After Scotland's Evie Gallagher was shown a yellow card, Canada scored a penalty try after a dominant scrum was halted illegally. Tuttosi then crossed as a stretched defence struggled to cope.

Scotland, 19-5 behind, hit back when Gallagher scored a fine try after an arcing run.

Canada pulled clear again when Tuttosi powered over from a line-out.

Scotland's Helen Nelson had a try disallowed for offside. Then Canada replacement prop Brittany Kassil scored a try.

US 'CHEERING ON' ENGLAND

Elsewhere, US flanker Freda Tafuna scored four of the Eagles' 10 tries in a 60-0 rout of Samoa in York.

Full-back Taytana Pati Ah Cheung came within a metre of the Pacific islanders' first try of the tournament.

Australia will qualify for the quarterfinals with a bonus point against England or if they lose by 74 or fewer points.

"Hopefully, England does us a favour," said US coach Sione Fukofuka. "We'll watch it together, cheering on the England team."

In Pool B, Fiji coach Ioan Cunningham oversaw a nervy 28-25 win over Wales that meant his former side had lost all three of their group games.

Wales outscored Fiji five tries to four but Keira Bevan missed all of her conversion attempts.

Litiana Vueti converted all of Fiji's tries as, from 28-15 ahead at halftime, they held out for just their second win at a Women's Rugby World Cup.

"We've got an incredible group of athletes and players who can do special things on the field," said Cunningham. "My task has been to get that out of them, get them to express themselves and play with no fear, and we showed that today."

Wales counterpart Sean Lynn rued his side's failure to make the most of their chances.

"One thing I will say is the character they showed from halftime to get themselves back in it was brilliant, but test-match rugby is brutal," said Lynn.

All four quarterfinal places in the other half of the draw have been decided ahead of Sunday's matches, when Ireland will seek to repeat last year's shock win over world champions New Zealand in Pool C.

South Africa, into the last eight for the first time, meet France in Pool D.

In Sunday's other pool matches, between Japan and Spain, and Italy and Brazil, all four teams are seeking a first win at this World Cup.

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