The Wallaroos cruised to a comfortable 33-26 win over South Africa in Cape Town, with record-equalling Ash Marsters scoring a heroic last-minute steal to put the Australian women's team within sight of the WXV2 tournament title.
Saturday’s excellent all-round performance was highlighted by two great performances from flying winger Desiree Miller and record-breaker Maya Stewart, setting up a title decider against unbeaten Scotland at the same venue next week.
The Wallaroos continued their comeback form that saw them crush Wales last week, with Siokapesi Pal, Georgina Friedrichs, Ewa Karpani, Player of the Match Miller and Stewart scoring and scoring five tries to take the Wallaroos to 14 tries. I beat Tricia with my eyes. Brown’s record.
But on the day she equaled Liz Patu’s Wallaroos appearances record with her 33rd cap, it felt fitting that evergreen 30-year-old flanker Marsters came up with a decisive final defensive play at Athlone Stadium.
With the Springboks’ powerful forwards stationed in the Australian line, looking for a post siren try that would almost certainly lead to a draw, Marsters managed to hold on under extreme pressure and get the ball into his hands for a decisive penalty. I put it in. .
Australia’s women’s rugby team will face Scotland in the WXV2 title deciding final. Photo: Matt Turner/AAP
“The last five minutes were very stressful, but what was there was the Australian heart, that ticker, the girls working for each other in the trenches and wearing this jersey. It shows what it means to us,” Australian captain Michaela Leonard said. “After a difficult year, we have definitely turned a corner. We have proven what we can achieve if we do it right.”
Australia were skillful in their attack and defense in the early stages, and in the fourth minute, Pal pushed in from a pick-and-go with Zimbabwe-born Friedrichs, and Stewart sent in a beautiful shot down the right side. Stewart bulldozed full-back Eloise Webb before scoring. .
South African halfback Unam Tose then charged Caitlin Hulse’s kick for a touchdown, but tighthead prop Kalpani was brilliantly tipped over to score Australia’s third goal in just 13 minutes.
Two more Wallaroos scores were disallowed before the break. One was due to Cecilia Smith’s carelessness when she dropped the ball over the line as she made a great team move, and the other was due to an earlier knock-on when she was hooked by Miller just before the break. was excluded.
In fact, Australia should have held a 21-12 lead at half-time as Sinazo Makachulwa scored a try just after the half-hour mark.
Skip past newsletter promotions
Latest Rugby Union news and analysis, plus a review of all the week’s action
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may include information about charities, online advertising, and content sponsored by external parties. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and are subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
After newsletter promotion
Early after the break, there were concerns when lock Atashi Rafai was sent into the bin by a high tackle, but that didn’t stop Australia from scoring short-handed, with Miller breaking through down the left side without stopping.
Stewart then ran to the opposite wing and scored the Springboks’ only record-breaking try. In the stands, the men’s captain, Siya Kolisi, cheered on and rallied the “bomb squad” of substitutes.
Zinter Mpfa and Mikke Günter both brought the game to a one-goal game in the final moments, with Marsters scoring a great goal in the final seconds.
Earlier, Scotland also defeated Japan 19-13, making it two wins from two and setting the stage for next week’s grand finale.
