The Take a look at rugby season bought off to a tragic and soggy begin for Australia’s girls’s rugby aspect, defeated 33-14 by world No 4 Canada within the opening match of the brand new Pacific 4 collection at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
In her first Take a look at as Australia’s coach after 70 caps as a participant for England, Jo Yapp had the world No 5 Wallaroos primed for a brilliant begin to the season after they closed out 2023 with historic wins over France and Wales. However Canada, having thumped the USA in April, proved far too sturdy, operating in five-tries to 1 in moist situations.
With one coveted Ladies’s Rugby World Cup 2025 place out there for the taking and solely the highest three groups qualifying for WXV 1, this was a key recreation for the Wallaroos. Nonetheless, Canada’s cohesion received them an early ascendancy as superior kicking pinned the house aspect in their very own half. The guests transformed strain into factors within the fifth minute, a devastating rolling maul sending hooker Sara Cline over the stripe.
5 minutes later Canada scored in the identical spot, one other highly effective maul permitting McKinley Hunt to peel off the pack and make it 12-0. Lastly, a rattling deal with by Wallaroo Bridie O’Gorman coughed the ball unfastened and gave Australia a sniff. They didn’t waste it, Siokapesi Palu barging via two defenders to attain within the nook.
Sadly, a knock-on was detected by the TMO and the 5 factors vanished as shortly as they’d been conjured. Nonetheless, the house aspect wouldn’t be denied a second time, Tania Naden nailing the lineout throw five-minutes out from the road earlier than burrowing over herself to peg the rating again to 12-7 after 19 minutes.
Within the first assembly between the 2 sides in Australia, Canada’s relentless set piece was proving decisive, stealing big metres on a tiring Wallaroos pack. Certain sufficient, Cline quickly had her second strive after one other dominant maul put Canada out 19-7.
Regardless of the return of veteran Piper Duck from harm after lacking the whole 2023 season, Australia’s indecision with ball in hand was proving expensive. But they created a golden alternative within the shadows of half-time, fullback Lori Cramer launching a kick into house solely to look at Waratahs winger Desiree Miller bobble the catch.
Australia wanted to attain first within the second half. As a substitute, Canada struck as Gabrielle Senft’s sturdy carry arrange Hunt’s second strive. At 24-7, Yapp injected Eva Karpani and Atasi Lafai into the fray to exchange Michaela Leonard and Bridie O’Gorman.
The change-up had an prompt impact, as Australia counter-attacked and created a two participant overlap. With a Wallaroos strive imminent, Canada’s Maddy Grant knocked the ball down intentionally, copping a yellow card and costing her aspect a penalty strive.
At 26-14, Australia had been again in it. However three minutes later, the pendulum swung again to the guests as Canada’s DaLeaka Menin punched a gap via the center and saved charging to cross below the posts and lengthen the margin to 19-points.
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With Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke and Sally Fuesaina on for his or her Wallaroos debuts, Australia wanted one thing particular within the closing quarter. They usually delivered, repelling ferocious waves of Canadian assault in their very own 22.
Starved of possession and blighted by dealing with errors on a greasy Sydney floor sodden by week’s rain, the Wallaroos may solely battle a rearguard motion symbolised by Faitala Moleka’s late try-saving deal with on Julia Schnell who seemed sure to attain.
“It was a very good first match however clearly upset with the end result,” Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard mentioned after the siren blew on a tricky 33-14 loss.
“I believe we confirmed the attacking threats we do have once we execute nicely and we noticed that in Maya Stewart and Desiree Miller on the perimeters. For us, I believe it’s nearly fixing the execution, specializing in element and bringing a bit extra physicality subsequent week.
“It’s been a whirlwind ten days with numerous learnings, we noticed a few of it on the market however we additionally noticed a number of areas that want superb tuning that we’ll repair up subsequent week.”
The Wallaroos subsequent head to Melbourne to tackle the USA at AAMI Park on Could 17 (4:55pm AEST) earlier than a closing match in Auckland towards New Zealand on Could 25.
