Canada's lock Sophie de Goede sets up a try for Canada's hooker Emily Tuttosi (2R) during the Women's Rugby World Cup pool B match between Canada and Scotland at Sandy Park, Exeter, southwest England, on Saturday.ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images
Canada moved into the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals unbeaten by overpowering Scotland 40-19 in Exeter on Saturday.
Underdog Scotland made Canada miss 27 tackles, but Canada always found another gear to slip into, especially through its pack.
Of Canada’s six tries, five were scored by front-rowers and a penalty try came from a pushover attempt that was illegally collapsed by Scotland. Canada hooker Emily Tuttosi was the player of the match for scoring twice.
Both teams had already qualified for the quarterfinals after beating Fiji and Wales. As the winner of Pool B, Canada’s last-eight opponent will be Australia, who lost to England 47-7. Pool A winners England will play Scotland in the quarterfinals
Prop McKinley Hunt opened Canada’s scoring, and Scotland replied through wing Rhona Lloyd in their only visit to the 22 in the first half.
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Hunt would have had a second try but the ball was cynically jolted from her grasp by Scotland No. 8 Evie Gallagher, who was yellow-carded. Scotland’s seven-women scrum was then monstered by Canada’s for the penalty try.
Canada then swept from halfway for Tuttosi to reach out and score for 19-5 at halftime.
Gallagher returned from the sin-bin in the second half to score from a great attacking line and trail 19-12, but Canada’s forwards took charge again with tries by Tuttosi and replacement props Brittany Kassil and Olivia DeMerchant.
In between, Scotland wing Francesca McGhie scored her sixth try of the tournament, tying Canada’s Julia Schell for the tournament lead.