Wales Women's rugby team has suffered another Six Nations clean sweep of defeats, culminating in a loss to Italy and the Wooden Spoon. Despite a quiet optimism entering the tournament, the team's performance has led to questions about coach Ioan Lynn's future.
The Scots could collect the wooden spoon a year after their historic World Cup run. Why has progress stalled so dramatically?Is it a World Cup hangover? Or a growing injury list? Or something else? These are the questions Scotland supporters are asking themselves in the midst of a disappointing Women’s Six Nations. This was a tournament where legends such as Donna Kennedy were hoping for a third-place finish; the fact the team could end up with the wooden spoon is staggering, especially considering their historic World Cup run last year.Scotland reached the last eight for the first time since 2002 and did so in convincing fashion. They defeated Fiji, their win over Wales was dominant and they challenged Canada, the eventual runners-up, in their final pool match. They were blown away by England in the quarter-final but it was nonetheless a successful campaign. The tournament’s end brought a close to Bryan Easson’s time in charge of the team and a whole new coaching staff were employed. Continue reading...
New Zealand storm to 40-5 drubbing in QueenslandThird loss out of three for Australia in Pacific FourNew Zealand consigned the Wallaroos to a third Pacific Four wooden spoon with their 30th consecutive victory over Australia’s women. The Black Ferns preserved their 32-year undefeated record with a 40-5 win in Queensland on Saturday night.Siokapesi Palu scored Australia’s lone try in a typically inspirational captain’s display, but New Zealand’s six-tries-to-one drubbing followed up the Wallaroos’ 24-0 loss to Canada and 33-12 loss to the USA in the round-robin tournament featuring four of women’s rugby’s top eight sides. Continue reading...
