First-Half Dominance and the Scoreline
In the first half, the Wallaroos played some of the best rugby they have played in a long time. They led the Red Roses 10-5 at half-time, the first time since 2019 that England had trailed at half-time. A super effort considering the English are full-time professional and had 943 caps of experience to the Wallaroos’ 475.
The Size 4.5 Ball Debate
OK, a couple of provisos. This was the Red Roses’ first game since May, so no doubt a bit rusty. Also, it was the first time they had played with the smaller 4.5 size ball. Pre-game, the players had raised their concerns and challenges, as had the commentators during the match.
On the ball size, post-game, Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu-Sekona when asked said they had adjusted as they had used it in Super Rugby W. But I will say, during Super Rugby W, the issue of the ball size was never raised by players or commentators.
Physicality, Set Piece, and TMO Calls
Back to the actual game. In the first half, the Wallaroos’ defence, physicality, and counter-rucking were outstanding. It was different. Usually when we are talking about a good half of Wallaroos rugby, we are discussing attacking backline play and tries. But no, they were not the highlights.
Both teams had tries denied and Samantha Wood was yellow-carded, which even the commentators thought was a tough call. Let us just say the TMO had a busy first half.
As mentioned earlier, from a physicality perspective, I cannot recall 40 minutes like it. It is no coincidence that the extra lift in physicality occurred with the return of prop Faliki Pohiva and having Pia Tapsell start. The scrum held its own in the first half and the lineout was again very good throughout the match. Michaela Leonard and Kaitlan Leaney really have this lineout thing down pat. Pohiva’s try was a result of a stolen English lineout.
As excited and positive as we can be with the physicality and defence, it did not result in possession and territory. As such, the Wallaroos backline did not have much opportunity. It is irritating knowing what Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker can do. But still, keeping England to one try in a half is pretty special.
Second-Half Turnaround
The second half was a different kettle of fish. You got the feeling the Red Roses were really angry coming out. After scoring just one try in the first half, they came out and scored in the 46th, 50th, 54th, 56th, 60th, 66th, and 77th minutes. It was tough for the Wallaroos.
The English forwards bench when they came on was immense. The Wallaroos scrum went from being competitive to being overwhelmed. In saying that, the Wallaroos front row bench of Eva Karpani, Tania Naden, and Allana Sikimeti is pretty solid. Another yellow card, this time to Karpani, did not help. Being under so much pressure resulted in the Wallaroos conceding 11 penalties to England’s five.
Quite possibly in the second half, the Wallaroos did not get into the English 22 until the 73rd minute when a lineout play saw Karpani score.
To be honest, from a Wallaroos perspective, there were not many positives to come out of the second half. It was tough viewing at 1:00 am, but the first half offset the second half.
The game was reflective of how the Wallaroos often play against the big dogs of world rugby. They can compete for a good 40, 50, even 60 minutes, but not yet for 80.
As coach Walsh said post-match, “…even at our best we aren’t probably good enough, but we will be…”. Spot-on insight.
Backline Analysis & Selection Questions
Other take-outs.
The selected backline suited the game plan to kick. Wood brings great goal kicking and is a box-kick aficionado. Arguably, she does not bring the attack of Tia Hinds, but her kicking was required on the weekend and may well be needed in France. Faitala Moleka for a first time at 12 did a good job. I would not say defence is her forte, but it was pretty solid. Georgina Friedrichs is such an energiser bunny. She has not played a game in a couple of months but slipped straight back in at 13.
The back three did not get much opportunity. Caitlyn Halse seemed to come off early in the 57th minute for Cecilia Smith, with Moleka moving to fullback. It seemed an odd change. Debutant Amelia Whitaker does not look out of place. It was just a pity she did not get an opportunity with ball in hand. Her defence is very good. It sounds like she came off with an injury; hopefully, she is OK for France.
A big question for coach Walsh: how do you format the backrow if everyone is available? Lily Bone came off with an HIA and Palu-Sekona looked to have come off with a banged-up knee. It is not what you want, but if both are unavailable, that makes selection easier.
Hopefully, Tabua Tuinakauvadra is available. After her performance against England, Pia Tapsell is a definite starting selection. Maybe you start Tuinakauvadra off the bench. Will coach Walsh go for a six/two bench split again?
Anyway, now it is time to head to France for hopefully more than the croissants.
Around the Grounds: WXV Competition News
In other news.
The Black Ferns defeated France 28-14, and that was without their taliswoman flyhalf Ruahei Demant. France, even though coming off a big break, looked good with ball in hand. The Wallaroos can expect them to play a fast, up-tempo game, but at the same time, France like to kick. France kicked 27 times for 761 metres to the Kiwis’ 22 for 692. (In comparison, England kicked 11 times for 305 metres to the Wallaroos’ 22 times for 454.) On the set-piece side of things, the French lost six of their 15 lineout throws.
Canada, without World Rugby Player of the Year Sophie de Goede, defeated Scotland 64-26. A good win. For both teams, it was the first game in a while. As for Canada, they racked up that scoreline with two yellow cards, one of which was upgraded to a 20-minute red card. The player of the match was Canadian rugby sevens star Olivia Apps, and sevens player Charity Williams scored on her debut.
Thanks, Hugh.
It was so good to see the Wallaroos stick it to the Roses in that first half. They were rattled for a bit there. Kildunne was really put off her game & was noticeably quiet. Is it a fitness thing or lack of depth to keep this pressure up?
Our little fly-half looked dangerous with the little ball she had. It was a pity the backs didn’t get much of a run, hopefully they get a good go against the French. Moleka, hopefully, won’t kick it as much & feeds her outside backs instead.
Even though it wouldn’t have changed the result, that display by all the officials was so unprofessional & piss poor. For a TMO to take so long to call back a try when the players were about to kick off again was unbelievable. The offside by Meg Jones was so obvious that all the field refs should have picked it up at the time & saved us 3 minutes or more. Though, it was so good to see Jones’s face after being denied the try, especially after all her prancing around after scoring. Noticed she put it away when she scored later on.
Reffing was inconsistent & missed so much. I think there was a knock-on missed before the Roses scored a try. Though, the French women could pick up a crooked scrum feed. She couldn’t even count to two, being unable to call out the Rose’s maul when it became stationary or crept sideways. Not once did she tell their maul to ‘use it’ after the Wallaroos stopped it. Twice this happened before they scored. Then a touchie told the Aussies to release the ball when a maul had gone to ground, again another try resulted in the next play. The women deserve a better standard of reffing than this tripe.
Got the feeling the game plan was to kick which was one of reasons why Moleka was picked at 12. Even with kicking we didn’t get much territory. Will be interested to see what they do against France. In both the NZ & England games when they did get into the 22, which was not often, they scored.
Yep Jones’ post try strut was pretty cocky & unnecessary, then to have it denied was funny. The officials didn’t have a good game. As you said the amount of time taken to deny the Jones try was bizarre.
Always hard when you lose but it did feel like England got more of the rub of the green. The missed knock on was also odd, would have thought the TMO could’ve told the ref. As for the crooked scrum feed, actually thought I must have missed something because every feed is crooked these days.
Anyway its done and dusted, time to give France a good game. They look pretty good. Will be interesting to see what team they select. Do you rest a couple of players to really aim for the Scotland game?