Canada advance at Women’s Rugby World Cup with win over wales

Canada's Karen Paquin scores a try against Wales. (Donall Farmer/PA via AP)

BELFAST, Ireland – Elissa Alarie scored two tries and Canada advanced to the fifth-place final of the Women’s Rugby World Cup with a 52-0 rout of Wales on Tuesday.

Brianna Miller had a try and five conversions for Canada, while Barbara Mervin, Jacey Grusnick, Karen Paquin and Cindy Nelles also scored tries as Canada posted its second shutout win over Wales at the tournament.

Latoya Blackwood, whose tackle-busting run helped set up Alarie’s second try, was named player of the match.

Canada will place Australia in Saturday’s fifth-place match. The Australians defeated Ireland 36-24 on Tuesday.

Canada came into the tournament ranked third in the world and finished runner-up to England in the 2014 World Cup.

The Canadians opened strong with a 98-0 win over Hong Kong followed by a 15-0 victory over Wales. But their hopes of a second straight World Cup medal were dashed after ending the preliminary round with a 48-5 loss to powerhouse New Zealand.

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