Here is the article with the requested Markdown formatting:
BBC Rugby Union: Colombia Notch Historic Win Ahead of World Cup Qualification Playoff
June 29th, 2023 – Colombia’s Las Tucanes women’s rugby team delivered a resounding performance as they warmed up for their upcoming 2025 Rugby World Cup Sudamérica qualification playoff against Brazil. In their latest test match, the Colombians recorded their biggest ever win, thrashing Trinidad and Tobago 96-0.
The dominant display saw Las Tucanes run in an impressive 15 tries, with 12 different players getting on the scoresheet. Inside-center Maria Arzuaga opened the scoring with an early penalty, and the tries soon followed at regular intervals. Juliana Soto, Maribel Mestra, and Nikol Durango each crossed the line twice, contributing to the one-sided rout.
The lopsided victory surpassed Colombia’s previous record score of 30 points, with the final margin of 96-0 being over four times greater than their previous best result of 21 points, which was also against Brazil. The comprehensive win bodes well for Las Tucanes’ hopes of making their Rugby World Cup debut in England next year.
For Trinidad and Tobago, it was a difficult return to test rugby after a 13-year absence, and the heavy defeat will see them drop down the world rankings, while Colombia are set to climb two places to 26th.
Elsewhere, in a clash between the current Asia and Oceania champions, Japan’s Sakura 15s secured a 24-15 victory over Fiji’s Fijiana in Suva. Ill-discipline proved costly for the home side, with yellow cards preventing them from building on an encouraging start that saw them take an early lead.
The win will have little impact on Japan’s ranking, with only a marginal 0.31 points to be added to their rating, keeping them in 12th place. The two teams will meet again on Thursday in the second test of the series.
🔗 Source
