The Wallaroos feel back-to-back wins over northern hemisphere rivals Scotland and Wales has been the perfect preparation to tackle Rugby World Cup heavyweights England.
The Australian women take on the world No.1 side on Sunday in Auckland in a quarter-final showdown, looking to end a 28-game winning streak that dates back to July 2019.
In England’s last pool match, a 75-0 romp against South Africa, they scored 12 of their 13 tries through the forwards so taking on other forward-powered teams has the Wallaroos primed according to lock Kaitlan Leaney.
“It’s been good having Scotland and Wales in the prep for our England game because they’re similar in the way they play, where they focus on set piece,” the 22-year-old Waratahs lock said.
“We’ve been working really hard on defending that so I think each week we’re getting better and showing that we can shut that down.
“It’s exciting that we’re building each week and every game we’re getting better and we can see in review that we’re leaving so many opportunities out on the field so hopefully we can go out there and show them what the Aussies are made of.”
Assistant coach Sione Fukofaka said the part-time Wallaroos felt excited by the opportunity to test themselves against the world’s best, who have full-time rugby contracts.
They have continued to take steps with their gritty 13-7 win over Wales the first time the Wallaroos had banked successive wins since 2019.
He urged the underdogs to play without fear as they did in the opening World Cup game, when they raced to a 17-0 lead over hosts New Zealand in front of a huge Eden Park crowd before being reeled in.
“It’s a massive privilege to come up against a team of that quality,” Fukofaka said on Tuesday.
“We don’t get to play England very often so embracing that opportunity is a massive part of this week.
“We talked about this against New Zealand at Eden Park – the pressure is all on the other team with the record coming in so we can play with a bit of freedom and hopefully start the game in a similar fashion.”
They have studied France’s pool performance against England, with the Red Roses forced to scramble to to 13-7 victory.
Fukofaka said the Australians needed to improve their conversion rate from inside 22 and continue to nail their set piece, but believes the signs are good.
“We’ve always felt if we can keep our standards high and play to our strengths, that we give ourselves an opportunity and the more games we play against quality opposition, clearly we are improving,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to play England who have the 28-game win streak in a quarter-final is a massive occasion and you saw in the opening game the girls relish those opportunities.”
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
like big events like this having a good game with many English clubs looking for quality players it will be the chance for these players to get noticed. the only issue for them is that England are not going to run around them like the BF it will be through them and that will tire themselves out. When you look at the number of tackles Wales (245 @ 93%) that is far higher than OZ have reached with less tackles. England will be direct and look to poke holes through their defense rather than run around them. I think it will be really bad but the Wallaroos must still keep their shape on attack and not shoe they can be phyiscal like England.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Go for it girls. There’s been nothing to loose from the beginning. I have a hope and fear in one thought. How many players are we going to see O/S due to deserved contract offers?