The United States and Australia produced the game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup so far as they drew a thrilling end-to-end Pool A game in York.
The USA scored twice to snatch the lead early in the second half before Australia regained the advantage with two quickfire tries of their own.
The Americans moved ahead again but the Wallaroos responded with a try that brought the scores level.
The game finished all-square when Australia’s Samantha Wood missed a conversion attempt that would have secured her side’s place in the quarter-finals.
Both teams pick up three points from the game – two for the draw and an extra point for securing a try bonus – to leave both in with a chance of reaching the knockout stage next week.
Australia have eight points from two games and face World Cup favourites England in their final match in Brighton on Saturday, knowing that a bonus point would clinch their place in the last eight.
USA, who have three points, could qualify for the last eight if Australia fail to pick up a point and they secure a big bonus-point win over Samoa that enables them to overhaul the points difference between the rival teams.
