Tonight’s game against the United States will be the most important test match of 2024, no matter where the Wallaroos land.
In a new era, knocking off the first Test match is always important, but for Zoyap’s side it felt like there was more at stake than usual.
Significant money and investment has finally come into the programme, with a promising run of form for the Super Rugby Women’s campaign and aspirations to build WXV1 and become the fourth-best team in the world. This seemed like an ideal opportunity to achieve their first ever victory. It surpassed Canada in 4th place.
But Canada had other ideas. In doing so, they exposed the Wallaroos in two major ways. And it seems clear that Jo Yapp will be aiming to fix those issues in tonight’s game.
Full credit to them, they played a well-organized and disciplined game to a deserved win and set up a likely decider for the title with the Black Ferns in the final game.
Despite being the Wallaroos’ best result against the Maple Leafs to date, that result set the standard for how far the Australian program has to go. Many of Canada’s players have established themselves and spent more playing time in European leagues. It also showed the United States being demolished in Carson.
However, it should be noted that the Wallaroos had many positive aspects. After a brutal opening quarter, fitness and defense improved and there were flashes of great potential and pressure from the forwards, who scored two efforts (nothing can be ignored). (against a good Canadian pack) and when they rotated the ball wide the backline always broke in, asked questions and looked dangerous.
Additionally, the bench performance was good, with Samantha Wood adding a great deal of unpredictability at scrum-half and Eva Karpani giving us a vital step forward.
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This reflects that the final minutes of the game felt like an arm wrestle as the Canadians were slightly ahead with 2-for-3 attempts in the period. It’s a shame that the final odds were decided within the first 20 minutes. minute.
As mentioned in yesterday’s article, Canada’s forward pack delivered a masterclass in onslaught and pressing, focusing on well-drilled set pieces to win the game.
The backline looked equally measured, but the pressure the Canadian pack could apply felt like a tidal wave to players like Bridie O’Gorman, especially during regular play and scrum times.
The Wallaroos haven’t traditionally had bad scrums, but even against well-drilled teams like Canada, set-pieces have been significantly underperforming under pressure.
This also led to the second key issue, a more concerning issue during decision-making.
Whether it was due to a combination of a new game plan and structure, being in the paddock for the first time, or pressure from Canada, there were key moments when the Wallaroos felt they lacked a clear strategy and needed to almost stop making decisions and look for a leader. Please guide me around the park.
This was particularly notable when players like skipper Michaela Leonard were picked, while Ashley Marsters remained a key veteran to watch the game.
The hesitation in decision-making resulted in a lot of dropped balls and a lack of forward progress, putting even more pressure on Arabella McKenzie to try and do something with her kicking game. Unfortunately, it will always be difficult to convert the point of attack against a team with multiple good kickers.
However, Yapp’s decision to move the squad elsewhere for the US clash was a bold one and appears to have focused directly on solving the physical problems of the forward pack. There are risks in starting Eva Karpani, but her explosiveness is undeniable and will be needed.
The USA match will probably be the most important match in the women’s gold medal match this year. A win here would seal third place before the game against New Zealand and guarantee qualification for the WXV1 tournament in Canada later this year.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MAY 11: Canada celebrates McKinley Hunt’s try during the 2024 Pacific Four Series match between Australia’s Wallaroos and Canada at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia on May 11, 2024. (Photo: Brett Hemmings – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
What is needed right now is a performance to steady the ship, a solid opening win for the player, Yapp and her team. If the Wallaroos win the physical competition early, they are likely to make great strides in solving their problems of cohesion and tactical decision-making under pressure.
Positive experiences together produce positive results, as seen in WXV1’s campaigns against France and Wales last year. At the moment, it is in the Wallaroos’ best interest to maintain their place at the top level of the competition. And that will line them up for matches against England, France and Ireland. progress.
England might be a bridge too far right now, but playing against them on a regular basis, or actually going to Europe and playing with them, is also an important experience. Despite not being World Cup champions, their clean sweep of WXV1 last year shows they have a following. that much The women’s team should win.
However, a loss would see the Wallaroos finish last and drop to WXV2, where they will be played in South Africa. Scotland, Italy, the hosts and Wales/Spain will be tough competitors, but this will significantly change the focus for Jo Yapp and her team and lead to an underperformance of the team.
Wallaroo’s Piper Duck interacts with fans after the 2024 Pacific 4 Series match between the Australian Wallaroos and Canada at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, May 11, 2024. (Photo credit: Matt King/Getty Images)
Essentially, the Wallaroos need a win in Melbourne tonight. Yapp is a great coach, so he will desperately need minutes all week. The Wallaroos are expected to be much improved and favorites to win this match.
But when they comprehensively displayed their stamina and decision-making against the United States, new fans have a lot more to look forward to. In other words, we have a team that can achieve its goal of being in the top four. The 2025 World Cup is approaching.
