Irish women finish eighth

Ireland 14 Australia 18

Another encouraging performance from Ireland overnight saw them test seventh seeds Australia to the limit in their IRB Women's World Cup play-off.

The Wallaroos took the spoils, winning 18-14 for seventh place overall, but second half tries from hooker Jean Lonergan and scrum half Tania Rosser made a mockery of the Irish seeding of tenth.

Ireland, who were only pipped by a point by the fifth-seeded Scots during the week, trailed 10-0 at the break at Edmonton's Ellerslie Rugby Park.

The 'Roos hit the front courtesy of an early penalty from Alana Thomas and winger Trish Brown's 35th-minute try. Brown evaded two would-be tacklers out wide on the left and then fended off Jeanette Feighery's last-gasp challenge to make the corner. Out-half Thomas drew in the conversion with aplomb.

But Lonergan rumbled over on 52 minutes, with Grace Davitt converting, and Ireland were right back in contention in the wet conditions.

A high penalty count and a plethora of turnovers saw the game fought out mostly in the forwards and a second Thomas penalty followed by an individual try from flanker and captain Selena Worsley saw the Aussies go 18-7 clear.

With only 12 minutes remaining, the game was effectively beyond Ireland's reach but the girls in green fought right until the finish.

They were rewarded for their persistence with a 78th-minute try when Rosser speared through a gap off a close-in ruck and made the corner. Davitt's conversion topped off what has been an excellent tournament for Philip Doyle's side, especially considering that Ireland finished 13th at the 2002 World Cup in Barcleona.

A delighted Doyle admitted afterwards: "The girls had an absolutely tremendous game. Australia are a formidable, world class side, and we're delighted to put in such a great performance.

“We stuck in it in the first half. We dug deep, but the conditions were tough. I can’t complain. We are delighted to be eighth in this World Cup. I think Ireland has put their stamp down on women’s rugby."

Scorers:

Ireland: Tries: Jean Lonergan, Tania Rosser; Cons: Grace Davitt 2

Australia: Tries: Trish Brown, Selena Worsley; Con: Alana Thomas; Pens: Thomas 2

Ireland: Nuala Ni Chadhain; Jeanette Feighery, Lynne Cantwell, Shannon Houston, Grace Davitt; Sarahjane Belton (capt), Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan, Yvonne Nolan, Marie Barrett, Caroline Mahon, Germaine Healy, Eimear O'Sullivan, Rachel Boyd, Joy Neville.

Replacements used: Jean Lonergan for Nolan (45 mins), Sinead Ryan for Boyd (66), Laura Guest for Barrett, Louise Beamish for Belton (both 70), Rosie Foley for Healy (71), Suzanne Fleming for Feighery, Amanda Greensmith for Ni Chadhain (both 77).

Australia: Tobie McGann; Ruan Sims, Lisa Fiaola, Rebecca Anderson, Tricia Brown; Alana Thomas, Cheryl Soon; Lindsay Morgan, Silei Poluleuligaga, Louise Burrows, Alicia Frost, Chris Ross, Paige Butcher, Selena Worsley (capt), Tasileta Bethell.

Replacements used: Kim Wilson for Butcher (60 mins), Alexandra Hargreaves for Bethell (66). Not used: Se'ei Sau, Kate Porter, Iliseva Batibasaga, Rachelle Pirie, Kelli Donnelly.

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland).