We've celebrated badass women of all kinds since the beginning* here. And you know about our affinity for the America's lesser-publicized sports. Tomorrow, our interests intersect in what promises to be a most entertaining way.
* The really early days weren't our finest in that regard, but we got our shit straight eventually.
At 2:30 Eastern at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England, the United States takes on hosts England in the first match of the Women's Rugby World Cup. Sixteen teams will battle over the next five weeks to determine the champion in the tenth edition of the tournament.
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| No. 8 Kate Zackary captains the Women's Eagles |
Maher's a great story, and she really can play - she was the national collegiate player of the year in 2017 - but the Americans face an uphill road. England are the world's top-ranked side, and sixth-ranked Australia are also in the United States' four-team group (the U.S. is ranked tenth in the world). The Americans' match with the Wallaroos will likely tell the tale.
Only three nations have ever lifted the Women's World Cup trophy. The U.S. won the very first in 1991, and since then New Zealand have won six times, including the last two, and England a pair. The Red Roses enter the event on a roll, only losing once in 58 matches since 2022.
We're not gonna pretend we know a ton about the teams and the players, but we do know how to Google, and this preview from Opta is pretty robust. I asked my favorite rugby expert who he thought would win the event, and he said, "Scottie Sheffler". Our expert has taken a few blows to the head in his day. He followed his initial prediction by saying, "Can't see England not winning at home". Good enough for me - the Red Roses are G:TB's Official Women's World Cup pick. But keep an eye on Canada and Fancy Bermudez. The Canucks are the second-ranked team in the world, and the best bet to break England and New Zealand's hold on the trophy.
@rugbycanada A double vs the USA 😮💨 @Fancy Bermudez is on another level 📈 #RugbyCA | #OneSquad | #HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP ♬ original sound - Rugby Canada
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USA, baby. Let's do this.
ReplyDeleteKeep an eye on #12 Lev Kelter who partners with Ilona in the centers. Recently reinstated from a three-match ban for stamping a Wallaroo. Adds a twist to pool match. LFG
ReplyDelete“stamping a wallaroo” should be a new gtb euphemism. accepting applications for what it means now.
ReplyDeleteWhom amongst us hasn't stamped a wallaroo or two?
ReplyDeletesame as flogging the dolphin?
ReplyDeleteI stamped a wallaroo sophomore year. Not proud.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I went for a spur of the moment dinner out last night. Dropped into a choice spot that happened to have two seats open at the bar.
ReplyDeleteOur bartender just moved to town from Norfolk, where he also worked in bars. To my surprise, he did not know Whitney.
lady eagles/england match is on paramount+. if you don't have it, go get it.
ReplyDeletethe excitement is palpable! i think the match is also on cbs sports network.
ReplyDeleteI've not had the stomach to do so very often recently, but I soldiered through about 69 seconds of am talk radio yesterday. In that short span, I learned two things : 1) Felonious Don has the best moral compass of any US president in memory. 2) They are big mad at Cracker Barrel. That was enough for me to head on down the radio dial.
ReplyDeletered roses are no joke
ReplyDeletethis is a battering. u.s. have done some good things, but england have absolutely punished every mistake.
ReplyDeletelady eagles gave up 69. not nice.
ReplyDeleteThey got their proverbial wallaroo spanked, eh?
ReplyDeleteThey put points on the board. Moral victory.
ReplyDeletethey actually did a lot of things well. but got punished for every mistake, and the england pack were devastating.
ReplyDeletewallaroos stamped samoa. in addition to the rugby, a ton of soccer, and red sox/yankees, we've got real, live top 20 college footbaw at noon. boy, am i not ready for that.
ReplyDeletehi gheorghies
ReplyDelete