IRELAND suffered disappointment in their second match of the World Rugby WXV1, losing 21-8 to hosts Canada in Langley, not the result they were hoping for after that historic win over New Zealand in their opening game.
Two first half yellow cards gave World No2 side Canada the opening they needed to build a 21-3 lead thanks to some muscular play having weathered early Irish pressure.
Ireland, with Ulster duo Fiona Tuite and Brittany Hogan in the starting line-up, hit back in the second half with a trademark powerhouse run from Aoife Wafer setting up the position for Dannah O’Brien to execute a perfect crossfield kick to Eimear Considine who caught and scored all in one movement.
Ireland continued to fight for possession and position and to frustrate their opponents with some dogged defensive work to keep them scoreless in the second half and finish with a 21-8 scoreline.
Ireland now sit third in the table heading into the final round when they face USA at 8.30pm Irish time on Friday night.
Two first half yellow cards, one of which resulted in a penalty try, left Ireland with a tough task against tournament hosts and World Number 2 Canada.
Head Coach Scott Bemand and captain Enya Breen spoke about the team’s mindest after the game.
Scott Bemand said: “lt shows where we are and where we’ve got to that we’re disappointed with the result. The performance, there’s a bunch of stuff that’s gone on in that game that could have rocked any team. To be right in the game deep into the first half..
“There was a bit of naivety where we copped two seven-pointers late in the first half but then we regroup and win the second half five-nil.
“We’re sitting here disappointed that we didn’t execute more chances, that we didn’t execute when we got into their 22.
“We think we’ve left some points out there. I’m immensely proud of the girls. We came here and said we want to leave respected; I think we’ve come some way to earning a bit more of that respect.
“But we’re quickly wanted to move through the gears and be in them games right at the death.”
Skipper Breen echoed the coach’s words, saying: “We want to test ourselves against the best and yes, we’re getting valuable experiences but we’re out here to fire shots and to have a crack at teams.
“It didn’t go our way but a lot of good things happened as well and we’ll build that into next week.”
Bemand also spoke about the impact of Aoife Wafer and the return of Deirbhile nic a Bháird,.
“If you look at Aoife’s output over games, this is still a three-game comp and we need to be a bit mindful, she’s fine and she’s come off in pretty good health. We got Deirbh on, we wanted to give her some rugby after a long absence with injury,” he said.
“We’ve had some bits that haven’t gone our way, we’ve had some bits that have gone our way.
“You look at the scoreline in the second half, you look at getting girls back on the pitch after long lay-offs, which continues to add bits to our depth.
“I was delighted to see her, she makes a break off the back of the scrum, we win a penalty, we’re asking the questions in their 22.”
