At the World Cup the Wallaroos are doing their own northern hemisphere spring tour but in the southern hemisphere. First Scotland, then Wales, and this weekend’s quarter-final, the top dogs of women’s rugby, England.
Although Australia beat Wales, the match was just frustrating. The Wallaroos had more than a few opportunities to rack up points and win the game. The stats paint the same picture, 63 percent possession, only 96 tackles to Wales’ 245, conceded fewer penalties, won almost all their set piece, 150 runs to 70 and 386 metres run to 205.
Instead, there were a lot of errors and some poor decisions. After one error Stan commentator Sean Maloney used the most apt description ‘botched’, there was a lot of that. And to top it off, the Wallaroos kept up some consistency with another yellow card, playing the last 10 mins with 14 players. No need getting into it, everyone in both hemispheres know the Wallaroos have a discipline issue.
But in stating all that, the Wallaroos again got into the grind that was needed to guts out the win. It shows the team has real character and belief. And as the coach Jay Tregonning said pregame, their mantra was to do whatever it takes, and they did.
Some other positives: The ground’s grass was a magnificent green, there was a good crowd, it was not raining, the First Nations jersey again looked great, set piece was good, they are good over the ball getting turnovers at crucial times and Lori Cramer again kicked a couple more goals.
Just like the Scotland game the set piece held strong, even with two new locks and a debuting hooker Tania Naden on the bench. The Wallaroos won seven of eight scrums, compared to Wales’ nine from 14. The lineouts success was 16 of 17.
Grace Hamilton, player of the match, must be mentioned. For the third game in a row, she was the go-to player. There is no need to provide anything more than the stats 73 metres, 28 runs, 100 percent Tackle success, three defenders beaten. It seems she was intent on carrying this team on her shoulders to the finals. Hamilton’s approach is reflected in her comment that when she was told the goal was the quarter finals, she took that as an insult, she was not there just to compete.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Coach Tregonning has real faith in his bench, again he replaced the highly experienced Sharni Williams and Iliseva Batibasaga at the 55 minute mark. In neither game was a win already sown up.
Shannon Parry still has a magnificent tackle technique that chops players down stopping them in their tracks, even with an injury that she brought into the game she racked up 60 minutes before Piper Duck took over.
The bench has been very good. In the Welsh match it was cleared by the 60th minute. Layne Morgan has in cliché terms stood up, noting she is also the reserve half at the NSW Waratahs so in reality has not racked up a lot of game time. She again looked comfortable coming on for the last 25 minutes. Similarly, hooker Naden did not look out of place. Although she does not have the physical presence of Ash Marsters, she scrummaged well and had seven successful lineout throws.
Emily ‘Horse’ Robinson is an experienced prop to bring on who more than holds her own. Earlier in the season she seemed to be out of favour (or maybe an injury) but has been back in the mix since the O’Reilly series against New Zealand. Also towards the end of the game, when the anxiety levels were rising, she provided a calm head.
Next Sunday it is England, a serious challenge for the Wallaroos but one they are probably looking forward to. It could have been worse, facing the Kiwis for a fifth time this year would have been pretty unreasonable. If the Wallaroos were challenged by the Scots and Welsh rolling mauls, they are in for a shock against England, that is there go to. The English are brutal and clinical in their approach, the Wallaroos forwards will, again, be in for a tough day.
Facing a professional England outfit will be a bit like facing the Australian women’s cricket team or the Aussie sevens women’s team who have taken all before them. The Wallaroos must get in there and figuratively just keep swinging.
No doubt the players will leave it all out on the paddock this weekend. Potentially for a few of them this may be their final World Cup game.
To finish, one of the most positive comments about the Wallaroos on social media was from Ali Donnelly of Scrum Queens who tweeted ‘…England v Australia will be belting. Australia have the bones of a brilliant team and there are no expectations on them…’.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Ch 9 FTA coverage, for info the Wallaroos game Sunday 11am Sydney time, is on Ch 9 main channel as well as Stan
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
I thought we may have seen Amy Perrett running around with a whistle, but I'm assuming she's fully retired from reffing now??
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Thanks, hopefully will be able to write another article or 2 but think this weekend maybe too much of a hurdle. Overall I think the refereeing has been ok, actually generally games have flowed pretty well & there has not been too much TMO involvement. I had not noticed the English cleanouts but it is a bugbear I often have in the men's game, cleaning out defenders not involved in the ruck. For the English it is probably not surprising they are the most professional, so have been able to implement some of the dark arts. It is possibly something the referees have not seen happen a lot in other games.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I would have loved to have seen the Levi sisters and Lafau-Fakaosiliea play in this world cup. (sorry about the spelling) I would love to see the stats on how many current 7s players are in the other squads. I would guess most would have more then the 2 we have.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Hugh, thanks for continuing with your articles. What's your view on the refereeing? From matches I've seen I wouldn't have many complaints apart from - and there's always one! - I've watched the English matches and they go very wide with their cleanouts of static/defensive players, probably my biggest pet-hate of the modern game - minutes before their try v France there were two that i thought many refs would have penalised, wherever the 'gate' is they were a couple of fenceposts removed. Having said that - must be within the current laws around what's acceptable. Be great to see a win on Saturday, keep the pressure on, those wins Eng v Fiji & SA may bring on some overconfidence?
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
I believe Maddison Levi came to 7s from WAFL, so I'm assuming she can kick a long ball. It'd be amazing to see her playing at 15, although Cramer has played well - put some great hits on and her place kicking has been on point.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Geez, I didn't see the bite. What, aren't the Kiwi's feeding them enough?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Agree Ace, I couldn't get over how stoodgey McKenzie was when she had to run with the ball against Wales. With her kicking, why with all the time they had leading into this WC the coaching staff hadn't taught her to kick long.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
I know what you mean about 10. Maybe Cramer has to come in more often as first receiver, Williams isnt one to come in as a first receiver. Maybe Pomare could have a crack at 10 coming off the bench & leave Williams on. I think I would also give Murphy a go on the wing. Wong hasn't done anything wrong but Murphy more likely to break a tackle, set up an opportunity.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
England will be overwhelming favourites & rightly so. The challenge for the Wallaroos will be staying in the fight for 80 minutes. In the England v Fiji game, Fiji asked a lot of questions in the first half but come the 2nd half England reset & blew them away.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Have to admit have enjoyed this World Cup even more than I thought I would and yes Grace Hamilton has been in career best form. Agree decision making has been a bit of an issue. As you say hopefully they can replicate that first half against the Kiwis & give the Red Roses a scare.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I know I'm repeating myself but the sticking point is at 10. Mckenzie is not a threat with the ball in hand. Doesn't get the ball into the wider channels enough, particularly after the forwards have got in behind the line. And the biggest issue staring us in the face is her short kicking range. It's like Bernard Foley all over again. Surely someone else can kick for touch or in general play as well? Thank god they brought in Cramer to kick goals. I would also like to see Murphy given a crack. She is such a threat in attack. Wong unfortunately cannot create things from nothing but can only finish when given it on a platter. Although I will be the first to praise Wong's defence. Her size is not an issue in defence. But most importantly we need a 10 who can get the ball in their hands once the forwards have gotten over the advantage line in the 22m and shift it wide. Mckenzie has done it a couple of times and we've scored. But there's been literally dozens and dozens of times where she hasn't.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I've been very impressed with Italy. Many of the players are pretty much fulltime on central contracts. They are also quite an older team relatively speaking by the looks of it and have been together for a while with the same coach too. If there is an upset in the quarters this is where it will be. However, I think the French will win.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Great read Hugh, and very relevant about the girls. England being huge favourites will feel more weight of burden, and Australia playing in NZ will feel comfortable as the Kiwi crowd will be behind them so it will feel like more of a home crowd for them. If Australia can keep their structure and play with the intensity similar to their opening half an hour against NZ, then England will start making mistakes and may resort to a different style of game that does not suit them. The key is to not get too excited and stay calm and composed, read what is in front of them and play accordingly. Go Well Australia and when the game is not flowing your way, keep the faith and resilience which you have.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the article Hugh. I've been really enjoying the Women's World Cup carnival. It'd be great if our girls can replicate the opening 30 minutes from the Black Ferns game, then push on with it. Hopefully we see some better decision making than we did in the Wales game - no mid field taps from penalties, using the wind to kick to the sideline for territory instead of pick and go in our own half, etc. As Ali said, there's no expectations on our girls with everyone expecting an England win, so go girls. Watching the game will be worth it just to see Grace Hamilton play again - she's been huge so far this tournament. You left her jackal turnover out of her stats too.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Agree cannot see the point in trying to defend the rolling maul off a lineout, will just end in a yellow card. Hopefully like the kiwi game they make a game of it in the first half then expect them to be overrun later in the game. France have lost their gun half back and Canada have lost their half & Flyhalf, so maybe an upset. The Italian lock got a serious ban for biting 12 weeks
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
You are probably spot on. But a great experience for players anyway. Always wonder if the captain makes the take the 3 decision or it is directive from the coach.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Thanks Hugh for the article. Hopefully the Wallaroos put up a good fight against the Roses. To do this they will have to play smart as they won't win the brawn battle in the forwards. Couldn't get over the shape & size of the Pom's loose forwards, they all could play in the front row? So the Wallaroos should really try to move these women from side to side to wear them out. I think trying to defend their lineout rolling maul is a waste of time, they're too good, should the Wallaroos just try to contest the ball up in the air & disrupt it this way? Less chance of yellow cards as well, maybe? I'm tipping an upset with Le Azzurre pipping La Frogs. Madia, their flyhalf, I reckon is the best in the comp & will get them through.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Hi Hugh If WRs can keep the England thrashing to around 30 points they’ll have done well imo. And the coaches need to pull captain Parry aside and tell her to start taking easy penalty kicks at goal or it will end up 50-0 :laughing:
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
The backline is yet to really click, maybe they will against England. I also noted Grace is obviously not one of the options for captain during the game, which seems odd. Maybe post World Cup we hear the background.