Canadian women open Rugby World Cup with statement win over Japan

Canada ran in seven tries to open its Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a comfortable 41-5 win over Japan on Saturday, reeling off 36 straight points to snap an early 5-5 tie at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei, New Zealand.

The bigger Canadian forwards had the advantage in the scrum and lineout, used the driving maul to gain metres at will and pressured the Japanese at the breakdown. The Canadian backs, meanwhile, kicked effectively for territory.

"It was not a pretty game," said the French-born coach, who now calls Quebec City home. "We did the game plan at the beginning. After that I think we could have done a better job. But it's a win."

Hooker Emily Tuttosi scored three tries, scrum half Brianna Miller had a pair and Paige Ferries and Mikiela Nelson added single tries for third-ranked Canada. Captain Sophie de Goede kicked two conversions while Miller booted one.

Canada earned a bonus point within the first 30 minutes of the match in scoring its fourth try and led 27-5 at the half.

"It was a good game for us. We started strong, got to work some kinks out," said de Goede, whose mother and father both captained Canada. "I still think we have a stronger performance in us. I think we'll keep building from this. But massive credit to Japan. I thought they played as expected. Very well-disciplined. Good structure."

Maki Takano scored the lone try for No. 13 Japan, whose coach is former Canadian international Lesley McKenzie.

"I'm actually really happy with a lot of the things that we did in the game," said McKenzie. "We wanted to be physical. They're a physical team and we wanted to meet that and show that we're a different team than (the one that ) came in 2017 (and finished 11th)."

A stunning hat-trick to