Ten standout moments from Women's Rugby World Cup pool stage

The Women's Rugby World Cup reached the quarter-final stage on Monday as England, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, France and South Africa secured places in the knockout rounds, while half of the competing sides were eliminated after the pool phase.

The pool stage produced a string of dramatic, emotional and viral moments that underscored the growth of the women's game, from historic firsts for emerging nations to record crowds at English venues.

One of the tournament's most poignant stories came from the Pacific Islands. Fiji, led by 21-year-old captain Alfreda Fisher, produced a comeback 28-25 victory over Wales in Exeter to finish third in Pool B. Fisher broke down in tears before the match, saying it was their last game and the team would "give it our best and finish on a high." Head coach Ioan Cunningham said the result was "huge" for Fijiana and hoped the side had inspired young women and girls in Fiji.

Samoa also enjoyed a moment to savour. The island nation, whose part-time players had to crowdfund to attend the tournament, registered its first points of the World Cup when fly-half Harmony Vatau kicked a penalty while trailing 47-0 to England. The kick — Samoa's only points across the pool stage — prompted jubilant celebration from players and supporters.

Brazil marked a milestone in their short XVs history when full-back Bianca Silva scored the country's first ever try at a Women's Rugby World Cup. Trailing 72-0 to France, Silva collected the ball, dummied and ran more than half the pitch to touch down, providing a rare bright moment for Brazil in only their 18th XVs Test match.

South Africa's women's team sealed a first-ever quarter-final berth with a 29-24 victory over Italy on Aug. 31 and qualification with a game to spare. Sinazo Mcatshulwa's late try in York proved decisive, while number eight Aseza Hele scored four tries across the opening two games. Prop Babalwa Latsha described the achievement as "a watershed moment," saying the side's progress had created "a brand new path" for South African women's rugby.

World champions New Zealand issued a reminder of their pedigree with a 40-0 win over Ireland in Exeter that topped Pool C and set up a quarter-final against South Africa. The Black Ferns' performance featured an 18-year-old wing, Braxton Sorensen-McGee, scoring a second consecutive hat-trick and flanker Jorja Miller producing another influential display. Former England captain Maggie Alphonsi noted the Black Ferns' ability to peak for World Cups, saying the team "love the stage and pressure. They thrive off it."

Scotland became the first side to qualify for the knockout stages, edging Fiji 29-15 in round two to secure a place in their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002. Francesca McGhie's hat-trick helped Scotland to a comfortable opening win over Wales, but their pool campaign ended with a 40-19 defeat by Canada, leaving head coach Bryan Easson — who had announced he will leave after the tournament — with issues to address ahead of a knockout tie against England in Bristol on Sept. 14.

England's opening match in Sunderland set several benchmarks, with a crowd of 69,000-plus at the Stadium of Light — the largest opening-day attendance in Women's Rugby World Cup history. Full-back Ellie Kildunne starred, scoring twice and producing a notable piece of skill when she regathered her own grubber kick by knocking the ball up with her thigh before releasing Jess Breach for a try. Kildunne will miss England's game against Scotland after being required to observe a minimum 12-day stand-down period following concussion symptoms against Australia.

Traditional forward power was repurposed into a viral moment when South Africa's coach Swys de Bruin deployed six forwards from the bench together — a tactic known in South African men’s rugby as the "bomb squad." The move — influenced by men’s coach Rassie Erasmus's strategy of loading the bench with extra forwards — saw the entire bench run on to the pitch in Northampton and drew widespread attention on social media.

Ilona Maher, the United States player with a large social media following, sought before the tournament to be known primarily for her rugby. Maher played every minute of the USA campaign, totalling 163 metres and forcing three turnovers. Despite a 60-0 win over Samoa in the final pool match, the United States failed to progress; Australia advanced on points difference after a 31-31 draw with the USA in round two.

The tournament also produced viral off-field moments. Australia's 18-year-old Caitlyn Halse became a social-media sensation when a video of her embracing her father in the stands after a draw with the USA amassed millions of views. The pool stage drew large, diverse crowds across England, with organisers reporting 410,000 tickets sold by Sept. 2 and the final at Twickenham sold out. Around 30 percent of attendees were first-time rugby spectators. High-profile attendees included Lioness Chloe Kelly and former England captain Jamie George, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited the England changing room after the Red Roses' win over Australia in Brighton.

With the pool stage complete, the eight quarter-finalists prepare to contest the knockout phase. The results reflected both established powers consolidating their status and emerging nations delivering landmark moments, underscoring the widening global reach and growing audiences for the women's game.