Tournament Outcome
The Spanish women’s rugby 7 team secured eleventh place in the Perth tournament, which is the third stage of the World Series. This achievement came after their win against Ireland with a score of 26-12. The match was significant as it helped the team avoid last place.
Key Player Performance
Juana Stella played a crucial role in deciding the game’s outcome, scoring fourteen points within four minutes. She achieved this by planting two tries and successfully converting them. Stella’s performance was impressive, especially considering she had to undergo a concussion protocol the previous day due to a dangerous tackle during the match against France.
Team Dynamics
The combination of Juana Stella and April Camacho proved to be a formidable force against the Irish defense. Their ability to exchange positions seamlessly, with Stella as the opening and Camacho as the center, left the Irish struggling to keep up. This tandem led to several scoring opportunities, including the first Spanish attack where Camacho controlled a bad pass and set up Stella for a try.
Game Highlights
The match saw several key moments, including Stella’s burst through the center to score the second try. The duo of Stella and Camacho also combined to take advantage of a loose ball, resulting in Camacho scoring the third Spanish try. Despite a temporary setback when Carmen Miranda was expelled for a high tackle, allowing Ireland to narrow the score, the Spanish team managed to seal their victory. Goreti Barrutieta, a debutante, made a significant contribution by outrunning her opponent on the left wing to score, securing the win for Spain even while they were outnumbered.
Standing and Future Prospects
Although this win earned Spain two additional points, bringing their total to five points in three tournaments, it does not improve their overall standing significantly. Spain remains in last place in the general classification midway through the regular season. The eighth place, which guarantees permanence in the World Series without needing to go through promotion, seems distant at this point.