WXV (Round 4) – Canada beat England, USA still unbeaten

A look back at the fourth weekend of the WXV Global Series, played on 16 and 17 October.

Four matches, four home wins: the fourth weekend of the WXV Global Series went the way of the hosts, from Toronto to Hamilton, on 16 and 17 October.

Canada finish the job against the world champions

A month after the 26-26 draw in Exeter that ended England’s 39-match winning run, Canada beat the Red Roses 24-21 in Toronto on Friday night. Trailing 21-12 shortly after half-time, following tries from Maddie Feaunati, Zoe Harrison and Sarah Bern, Canada hit back through DaLeaka Menin (63rd minute) before Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the winner three minutes from time. The sides meet again on Friday in Ottawa.

USA make it three from three

The United States are the only side still unbeaten after three matches. After Ireland (40-36) and Wales (26-24), Italy were the latest to fall, 36-27 in Mansfield. Georgie Perris-Redding scored a hat-trick, Hope Rogers added two tries and Annabella Vogel kicked 11 points, including a 75th-minute penalty that settled it. Italy matched them for tries (five), two of them from Francesca Granzotto, but landed only one conversion. On four tries, Perris-Redding joins Shyrah Tuliau Tua’a, Amy du Plessis, Freda Tafuna, Evie Gallagher, Lizzie Gibson and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald at the top of the try-scoring list. The rematch is on Saturday in Nashville.

Black Ferns and Wallaroos run riot

In Hamilton, New Zealand beat France 81-12 (13 tries to 2, 43-0 at half-time). Shyrah Tuliau Tua’a scored four second-half tries and Braxton Sorensen-McGee landed eight conversions; Lea Murie and Amalia Bazola crossed for France. The Black Ferns now have 30 tries in four matches. The second of three Tests is on Saturday in Whangarei.

In Sydney, Australia answered Katie Buchanan’s early try for Scotland, led from the 16th minute and never looked back (56-12). Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker scored two tries each and Samantha Wood kicked six conversions. Scotland are still without a win after four matches, having conceded 216 points. The teams meet again on Friday in Canberra.

Round 4 results

Records after four weekends

The WXV Global Series has no official standings: each side plays between four and six Tests over eight weeks. Here are the records of all twelve teams, ranked by win percentage.