Wallaroos 31 – USA 31

The Wallaroos’ finals hopes hang in the balance after a nail biting 31-31 draw with the USA in front of a sell out crowd in York.

Throughout the week, Australia understood the results of this match were instrumental in determining the remainder of their World Cup campaign.

“I think all of the girls know how important it is, but I think Chance (Wallaroos captain Emily Chancellor) reiterated it really well before training today. She made that point of, it is do or die,” second rower Michaela Leonard said.

Coach Jo Yapp made minor changes to her side after their record win against Samoa, with Bridie O’Gorman and Tania Naden coming into the starting side, a move that saw Katalina Amosa and Eva Karpani moved to the bench as impact players. Veteran Siokapesi still remained unavailable due to her foot injury and Desiree Miller was cleared to play after her HIA in the opening round.

The must win match was an arm wrestle from the opening whistle, with both sides trading blows in what proved to be one of the matches of the tournament.

In total, 10 tries were scored, four of them to Australia’s brightest attacking sparks and World Cup debutants, winger Desiree Miller and 18-year-old fullback Caitlyn Halse, who each bagged a double.

World Cup rookie Halse has proved herself to be the Wallaroos break out star after back to back stellar performances.

“I’ve loved watching the way she’s grown over the last three years at Waratahs from a kid with a hell of a lot of talent but not a lot of self-belief, move into a player who is backing herself, executing and enjoying it,” said Chancellor.

We let them into the game in that second half … and when they’re in there, they’re hard to stop.

Australia appeared in control during the first half, dominating possession with 62 per cent of the ball and consistently pinning the USA deep in their own territory. The Wallaroos walked into the sheds at half time with a 14-5 lead, but errors and ill-discipline proved costly for Yapp’s side, opening the door for the Eagles to mount a spirited second half comeback.

“We let them into the game in that second half, and our penalty count allowed them access to our half, and when they’re in there, they’re hard to stop,” Yapp said post-match.

“Ultimately our discipline really let us down. At times, we weren’t accurate with our launch plays as well.

“We’ll always reflect and look to bounce back – the girls have got a big game next week.”

The USA, who had won six of their past nine meetings with Australia, showed grit and passion to claw their way back into the contest. Emboldened by Australia’s mistakes, they crossed the line on several occasions and looked the sharper side as the rain began to fall at the back end of the match.

The Wallaroos’ defensive lapses allowed the Eagles a sniff of victory, but with only five minutes of play left, a late try from prop Karpani ensured the scores matched. Fly half Samantha Wood had the chance to secure the win with a conversion, but her kick swung wide, leaving the match at stalemate.

“I don’t know how to sum up the feeling but I think that was a tough game, a bit sad to be honest,” said Halse after the match.

“We’ve just got to take the positives out of how we played and then take the learnings from that and take it into next week and hopefully put on a performance against England.”

 

Despite the frustration, Australia’s campaign remains alive. With England looking certain to top the pool, second place will go down to the wire.

The Wallaroos will be hoping their Oceanic sisters, Samoa, can pull off a win against the USA to guarantee them a place in the quarter finals. However, if the USA can secure a win and Australia lose substantially to England, it will come down to points difference.

The Wallaroos must now regroup ahead of their clash with the tournament hosts and favourites, England, while the USA will turn their attention to Samoa.

Main image of Shee Nathan-Wong supplied by Rugby Australia.