Written by Lachlan Grey on Sep 14, 2024 03:50 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au. Source article.
The Wallaroos’ end of year tour opened with a 36-10 humbling at the hands of Ireland in Belfast.
Returning winger Maya Stewart bagged a brace but there were few highlights aside as the Aoife Wafer-led Irish ran rampant with five tries to two on home soil.
Here’s what we learnt:
1. Aussies their own worst enemies
The fifth-ranked Wallaroos made tenth-ranked Ireland look like world beaters in Belfast.
Poor attacking kicks, repeated handling errors, a wayward line out and sluggish ruck defence plagued the Australians all afternoon with the Irish always outmaneuvering and one step ahead.
Ireland playmaker Dannah O’Brien outkicked her Aussie rivals and was key to the hosts’ victory, as were star flanker Aoife Wafer and their sevens contingent, but there’s no doubt this was a Wallaroos side far from polished and far from their best.
Skipper Pesi Palu admitted as much post-game, identifying their attacking clear-out and line-out set piece as areas to work on while Jo Yapp branded their energy as “disappointing”.
In the few moments it clicked in attack, Australia found joy out wide – but those moments were few and far between.
2. Marvelous Maya
Let’s touch on those few moments and the player that brought them to life – Maya Stewart.
In her return from injury, Setwart scored both of Australia’s tries and it was her point of difference – sheer pace – made it possible.
Her match-up with Aimee-Lee Murphy Crowe was worth the price of admission as the flyers went toe-to-toe and on paper, you’d have to say Stewart shaded the Irish sevens legend.
Props also to front-row duo Bridie O’Gorman and Eva Karpani who produced mammoth shifts while Faitala Moleka showed glimpses of her potential in the starting flyhalf role.
3. Welcome to the Wallaroos family
It’d be remiss not to remind readers of the latest trio to debut for Australia – Lucy Dinnen, Alapeta Ngauamo and Tiarnah Minns.
Ngauamo held her won at scrum time, Dinnen was her typically industrious self on the flank and Minns’ late cameo showcased her strong running game.
All three players have incredible stories; from Dinnen’s 10-year journey to Ngauamo’s late blooming and Minns’ injury battles .
All three now have a special place in Australian rugby history.
4. Wafer, Sevens transfers shine
Here’s a name to remember – Aoife Wafer.
The two-try Irish flanker was like an emerald rash all over the Aussies, pilfering at will and mastering the art of the seagull out wide. One to watch in next year’s World Cup.
And while sevens star Murphy Crowe was well handled by Stewart, Ireland’s other short-form specialists added the firepower Australia can only dream of calling upon.
Olympians Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood turned the game for Ireland from the pine with Higgins’ carrying setting up Aoife Wafer’s second try and Flood’s clever kicking keeping the Australians pinned down back.
Their inclusion alongside Murphy Crowe sits in contrast to the Australian sevens program with no current women’s squad members selected in the touring Wallaroos.
5. Wash it, go again for Wales
Saturday’s loss will give coach Jo Yapp plenty to think about.
A new halves combination of Nat Wright and Faitala Moleka plus three debutants showed the Wallaroos boss is happy to tinker ahead of a stacked WXV2 campaign leading into 2025’s World Cup tilt.
“On the whole, we were a bit disappointed with our energy out there and we’re excited to bounce back next week,” Yapp told media post-game.
“These two games (against Ireland and Wales) are a good opportunity to see what we’ve got … we play Wales again in WXV so next week’s a really big game.”
With limited preparations, Yapp will likely tinker with her side again to face the Welsh next week – and why not? You’d rather see it now than in tournament play.
Just don’t expect the Welsh to be easybeats. Last year’s WXV clash was a thriller and the Welsh have been honing their skills with New Zealand on the training paddock.
They’ll be ready and raring.
