The Penultimate Round of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 Holds Pivotal Implications
This Friday and Sunday, the penultimate round of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2024 will unfold in Australia and New Zealand, with potentially decisive outcomes. By the end of the weekend, the identity of the seventh team to qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and the full lineup for WXV 1 2024 may be determined.
Should Canada defeat the renowned Black Ferns for the first time on Sunday, they would be crowned the Pacific Four Series champions. Conversely, New Zealand could secure their third successive title, depending on the result of the opening match in Melbourne between Australia and the USA.
Australia Host USA in a Must-Win Encounter
On Friday, the Wallaroos host the USA Women’s Eagles at AAMI Park in Melbourne (kick-off 16:55 local time, GMT+10). A victory for Australia will guarantee them a place at both the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and WXV 1 in Canada.
For the Women’s Eagles to extend the race for these qualifications until the final weekend, they must either defeat the Wallaroos or avoid defeat and secure at least the same number of bonus points as their hosts. The USA hold the historical advantage, having won five of the seven previous encounters, and they possess inside knowledge in the form of head coach Sione Fukofuka, who was previously the Wallaroos assistant.
However, Australia won the corresponding fixture 58-17 in Canada last year and currently hold a higher World Rugby Women’s Rankings position and rating point cushion. Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has handed a debut to 17-year-old full-back Caitlyn Halse, who will become the youngest Australian, male or female, to play a test.
BBC Rugby Union: Crunch Time for Canada and New Zealand
On Sunday, Canada have the opportunity to achieve a historic first by beating the formidable Black Ferns. Should Canada win or draw and earn more bonus points than their hosts in Christchurch, they will clinch the Pacific Four Series title.
The Black Ferns, however, have a dominant record in the Pacific Four, winning all seven of their matches, and have also reeled off 17 successive victories against Canada. The closest the Canadians have come to beating the Black Ferns was a 16-8 defeat in Tauranga in June 2014.
“If Australia fail to beat the USA on Friday or beat the Women’s Eagles without a bonus point, then New Zealand would secure their third Pacific Four Series title with a bonus-point win against Canada.”
The Black Ferns opened their campaign with a comprehensive 57-5 defeat of the USA, which included an 11-minute hat-trick from Mererangi Paul, the fastest in women’s test history.
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