Wallaroos Fall to Canada in Pacific Four Opener

The Australian women's rugby team, the Wallaroos, faced a tough defeat against Canada, losing 24-0 in their opening match of the Pacific Four rugby series held in Sacramento. The match was significantly impacted by severe weather, including lightning and heavy rain, which delayed kickoff by over an hour and resulted in the game being played without spectators. Despite the challenging conditions, Canada, ranked second in the world, showcased their strength, particularly through their forward pack.

Nine.com.au

The Wallaroos struggled to maintain possession and build momentum, conceding 17 penalties throughout the match. Their discipline faltered, leading to two yellow cards for centre Celia Smith and replacement hooker Brittany Merlo, leaving Australia to finish the game with only 13 players. Canada opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a try from lock Julia Omokhuale, followed by a second try just before halftime from flanker Pam Buisa, giving Canada a 12-0 lead at the break. The Canadian team extended their lead in the second half with a try from winger Asia Hogan-Rochester in the 66th minute.

The Guardian

Despite the scoreline, Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona noted improvements from their previous encounters with Canada, particularly in their defensive efforts. "Although we didn’t get on the scoreboard, we applied a lot of pressure," Sekona stated, highlighting the team's growth since their last World Cup meeting, where they lost 46-5. Interim coach Sam Needs echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's effort despite the chaotic conditions, stating, "The result doesn't reflect the effort the girls put in."

The Guardian

Critics pointed out that the Wallaroos' inability to capitalize on early territorial advantages and their high penalty count were detrimental to their performance. The conditions, described as "almost unplayable," were cited as a factor that hindered both teams, but particularly affected Australia's ability to execute their game plan effectively.

Five things we learnt from Wallaroos v Canada

The Wallaroos will face the United States in Kansas City next weekend, a match that is seen as a critical benchmark for the team as they seek to improve their standing in international rugby. The USA, currently ranked eighth in the world, recently suffered a defeat against New Zealand, losing 48-15. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for the Wallaroos to demonstrate their progress under interim coach Sam Needs.

The Guardian

• “The result doesn't reflect the effort the girls put in and how we won some really big moments.” — Sam Needs, Interim Coach

Wallaroos sunk in Sacramento as wet weather, Canada dominate Pacific Four opener

• “You can see with the scoreboard, there’s a huge shift from that last quarter-final game back at the World Cup.” — Siokapesi Palu Sekona, Captain

The Guardian

The Wallaroos' performance against Canada, while disappointing in terms of the score, offers a foundation for future improvement as they prepare for their next challenge against the USA.

The Guardian