FULL TIME | ||
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Women's Rugby World Cup | ||
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland | ||
England | vs | Australia |
39 | Score | 5 |
The Wallaroos face yet another team from the British Isles, this time England, in a do-or-die Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:30am (AEDT).
After another hard-fought win against the Welsh in their final match of the group stage, the Wallaroos enter the knockout phase of the tournament in winning form, yet struggling to find real fluency in attack.
Dropped ball was a massive problem against both Wales and previous opponent Scotland, with discipline also costing the Australians; those issues saw them go within centimetres of losing both matches.
Despite that, the Wallaroos have indeed advanced, yet now face the might of England in a quarter-final in which they will be rank outsiders. The English are widely tipped to take out the overall tournament and will enter the fixture as almost unbackable favourites, with a margin of around 40 appearing to be the way the bookies are thinking heading into the clash.
For the Australians to have any chance of staying with the English, control will be key and the Grace’s Kemp and Hamilton will be key up front in terms of threatening a seriously powerful opposition pack. Layne Morgan moves into the half-back role and along with Arabella McKenzie, will need to assume a level of control rarely achieved by the team thus far in the tournament, barring the opening 30 minutes against New Zealand three weeks back.
The Red Roses enter the match with a settled line-up and Tatyana Heard in supreme form after a player-of-the-match performance against South Africa. Captain Sarah Hunter will play her 138th match for England, and could well set up a bruising clash with Hamilton through the centre of the ground.
Seeking a 29th straight win, England will not fear the Australians, yet will need to ensure they focus on executing their plans and preparing for the final two matches of the tournament, when their opponents will be more difficult to manage.
Prediction
Sadly for the Aussies, this is going to be a one-sided affair; should the Wallaroos concede possession as often as they have in recent weeks, the Red Roses could capitalise to maximum advantage.
England by 52 points.
Venue: Waitakere Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 11:30am (AEDT)
TV: Channel Nine
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: England (suspended), Australia $67 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
England
1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter, 9. Leanne Infante, 10. Zoe Harrison, 11. Abby Dow, 12. Tatyana Heard, 13. Emily Scarratt, 14. Lydia Thompson, 15. Helena Rowland.
Interchange: 16. Lark Davies, 17., Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Ellie Kildunne
Wallaroos
1. Liz Patu, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Bridie O’Gorman, 4. Michaela Leonard, 5. Grace Kemp, 6. Emily Chancellor, 7. Shannon Parry (c), 8. Grace Hamilton, 9. Layne Morgan, 10. Arabella McKenzie, 11. Lori Cramer, 12. Sharni Williams, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Bienne Terita, 15. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Interchange: 16. Tania Naden, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Eva Karpani, 19. Sera Naiqama, 20. Piper Duck, 21. Iliseva Batibasaga, 22. Cecilia Smith, 23. Mahalia Murphy
Tim J
Roar Rookie
You are right SA, I was impressed with our forwards who dominated the Welsh forwards which is their strength. NZ v France should be a cracker.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you for the great call Stuart.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Final Score Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the match and be sure to stick with the Roar for the remainder of the afternoon where a host of events will play out across multiple sports. England simply too good today and the Wallaroos brave and committed throughout. Final Score Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Stuart Thomas
Expert
England advance to the semi-finals against a yet to be decided opponent and the Wallaroos can be proud of their efforts in the tournament, despite plenty of work to be done in order to close the gap to the powerful English team. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Wallaroos were brave, yet England simply to good on what was a difficult and wet day in Auckland. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The try is not converted from the side line. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Stuart Thomas
Expert
80' Final minute as the Red Roses win the line-out and crash over out wide in seconds. PACKER AGAIN!!!!! TRY ENGLAND!!!!! Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….39
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' Quickly the ball is back with England as they dart down the left. Now Muir up the middle and the PENALTY comes for England. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
78' Once again the ball is dropped and Smith has it for the Wallaroos. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
77' More delays with the setting of the scrum now, finally they feed and secure possession. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' Short arm to the Wallaroos and the ball is dropped on the second phase. England with another chance to attack from the 22. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
76' Boy, slow going late in this one. Penalty count and scrums set will be an interesting read. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
75' Australia feed and the scrum will be reset. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
74' England maul well and then enter the 22. The ball is lost and Australia will now have the scrum feed. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
73' Another scrum feed for the Wallaroos. The shift left is poor and the ball goes into touch. England with a real chance now on the Australian 30. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Stuart Thomas
Expert
72' A long delay before the scrum is fed and won, Terita with some more ball on the right side. Now McKenzie goes ahead. England charge down the kick and Australia scoop it up as they go ahead. England with a touch and the knock-on. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
You'll have your work in the forwards, but your backs are far superior, Tim.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
71' Forward pass called as the English looked to set up on the left edge. Australia will feed the scrum. Wallaroos………………..5 England………………….34