World Cup: Third place

Here we are at The Stoop again. Third place final is at the half-time stage, with Australia on top. Nervy start gfor the Wallaroos - penned back fror the first 10 minutes or so, not looking like themselves at all. However, they only conceded three points from this - and hen at last managed to get ball in hand.

Wow. The back line swept down the field with the French in disarray. Try for Cobie-Jane Morgan, 5-3 - and all this with Nicole Beck in the sin bin. Nicole was back a few minutes later - and the French began to fall apart. A form of tunnel vision developed, with the French concentrating just on what was in front of them, leaving massive overlaps.

And the tries began to come. 28 minutes Rebecca Trethowan. 10-3. 32minutes, Morgan again - converted by Beck this time, 17-3, and then just before half time Tricia Brown is in after a fantastic break from Beck. 22-3.

What can France do in the second half to recover from this?

Well, the answer seemed to be to frustrate and annoy and slow down the game as much as possble - which, it has to be said, they succeeded in doing. It cost them a couple of yellow cards, but it also stopped the Australians scoring. Unfortunately it did little to advance the French cause, a late try on 72 minutes followng the first French maul of the game was too little, and way too late. 22-8 to the Australians (who have improved immeasurably since their opening game) and third place. The French finish fourth, which they about deserved.

Other results:
11th to Kazakhstan 12-8 over Sweden
9th to Wales 29-17 over South Africa
7th 32-8 to Ireland over Scotland
5th 23-20 to USA over Canada