The Wallaroos did not have a memorable Pacific Four Series, losing three times.
At times they played some good rugby, including a great half against the United States. But when the pressure came against all three teams, they could not match them. Were your expectations a bit high? maybe.
The Black Ferns game was worse than expected from a scoreline perspective, 67-19. It was inevitable after Canada lost. They would not take any prisoners against the Wallaroos. The halftime score of 45-7 was pretty ugly. At that stage, games, sets and matches have already been played.
The second half was better for the Wallaroos, but before you get too excited, it’s worth noting that this happened when the Kiwis stretched their reserves (which also happened in the New Zealand-USA game).
But making sure the glass is always half full, the Wallaroos backline showed real skill and superb tries in all three games.
In the end, New Zealanders got fitter, stronger and got things done at a faster pace.
What did we discover, or more precisely, what did we confirm through the Pacific 4 Series?
The Wallaroos, who made great strides last season, appear to have not progressed as well as Canada, the United States and to some extent New Zealand this year. Some of that can be attributed to the new coaching team. The impact of the new structure, new players and short preparation time is unquestionable.
Perhaps the adage is short-term pain, long-term gain ahead of the 2025 World Cup. We also need to keep in mind the performance in 2023 following the World Cup year. There was consistency across the board, mostly the same players and the same coaching staff.
The Black Ferns inflicted a heavy defeat on Australia. (Photo: Fiona Goodall – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Like all rugby teams in Australia, the 15’s and 7’s boys’ and girls’ rugby teams are often challenged at the attack. Failure to consistently deliver physicality or possess dominant set-pieces. Finding and developing forwards is the most difficult aspect of rugby. There are no quick fixes, especially in the front row.
All three matches highlighted the ongoing problems facing Australian women’s rugby.
The short five-match Super Rugby women’s competition does not produce or develop battle-hardened players. It sounds like a broken record, but as soon as players and teams improve, the competition ends. This does not provide an opportunity to develop real depth and competition for the Wallaroo position.
Unfortunately, extending the competition does not appear to be an option in the short term and any form of crossover with New Zealand’s Aupiki competition is unlikely until 2026 at the earliest. All of this will ultimately hinder the Wallaroos’ chances at a home World Cup in 2029.
While the United States and Canada have fewer financial resources than the Wallaroos, most of their players compete in British and French competitions. They just play more rugby.
Rugby reality.
Australian women’s rugby ranks third in the oval ball code in terms of investment, number of players, number of matches played, salaries, profile, promotions and media coverage. All this hinders the development of depth.
This lack of depth and experience allows injuries to have a greater impact. This has emerged over the past few weeks. The front row was without Bree-Anna Cheatham at prop and Adiana Talakai at hooker due to an ACL injury. Both took part in all eight Tests last season. In this Pacific Four series, hooker Tania Naden played 71, 77 and 75 minutes compared to 49, 54 and 60 minutes in the last three games of last season.
Likewise, Brianna Hoy logged 71, 77, and 62 minutes compared to 49, 54, and 60 minutes in three games last season.
As coach Joe Yap said about the Kiwi game, we had some real problems with the stoppage. Without even realizing it, the Wallaroos were really missing Emily Chancellor and, in the Kiwi game, Ash Marsters, who was just getting his speed back at forward.
Back to the glass half full, all backs played well. To be honest, Wallaroo’s problem isn’t with their backline.
The New Zealand game was one of Arabella McKenzie’s best games in a Wallaroo jersey.
Wallaroo’s Arabella McKenzie is tackled during the Pacific 4 Series match between Australia’s Wallaroo and Canada in 2024 (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Maya Stewart is really good. Desiree Miller is a miniature rocket and she holds her own despite her size. Georgina Friedrichs is an absolutely capable player in attack and defence, but there may be concerns about who the next 13 players behind her will be.
Cecilia Smith and Trilleen Pomare both performed well as 12-year-olds. The question that needs to be resolved is who the centers of the future will be: Smith (30), Pomare (31), and Friedrich (29).
Despite some comments about halfback Samantha Wood having a better pass, overall it appears that Layne Morgan is providing far more passes. This includes being an absolute threat to the opposing scrum. At fullback, Caitlyn Halse has performed quite well in her two starts. In terms of evaluation, she generally lived up to expectations. She also brings a bit more size to the back three.
In the New Zealand match, Faitala Moleka appeared as a fullback in the 46th minute and showed a lot. As the Brumbies’ number 10, she can easily slot in as the fullback’s first receiver. The 22-year-old is a vital cog in the Wallaroo wheel for the long term.
As for the forwards, no player consistently stood out or dominated throughout the three games. Maybe Marsters would have stood out at the USA Games. There were several games last season where Eva Karpani performed outstandingly. Overall they were not as good as their opponents and were unable to consistently bend the line either in attack or defence.
There were many very solid performances and their effort cannot be questioned. No one had a bad game, just poor handling at times and the scrum suffered at times.
The biggest problem is the expertise and depth of the front row. The word solid comes to mind again. In general, they held their own (except, to be fair, for the Canadian game, which was the first game of the season). In any case, Rugby Australia needs to secure tougher match times for its lead rowers and hookers. Not sure if there is a front rowing academy in Australia, but we need one.
I have deep ties to Michaela Leonard, Kaitlan Leaney, and Atasi Lafai, and a few more behind them. The back row contingent of Piper Duck, Pesi Palu, Leilani Nathan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Marsters are solid but all very similar. As previously mentioned, there is no depth or outward-opening sides at that location.
In terms of ratings, the Wallaroos have fallen short of expectations. But even if the glass is half full, there’s still a lot to like about the team.
Now off to rest and next up is Fijiana and New Zealand (again) in July.
