Written by Lachlan Grey and Nathan Williamson on Sep 28, 2024 09:12 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
LIVE: The Wallaroos hold a 10-5 lead over Wales during the second half of their WXV2 clash in Cape Town.
It’s a rematch of last week’s thriller in Newport where the Wallaroos went down after the siren.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle Wales live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
They head to Cape Town for the start of the WXV 2 competition, with Australia set to face Scotland and South Africa after tonight’s Welsh clash.
Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has been forced into a late change as Arabella McKenzie (concussion) drops out after initially being named to start at flyhalf.
For Wales, they are looking to build off their maiden win over Australia and get revenge following last year’s WXV 1 defeat in New Zealand.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 8:30 PM IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
69′: Wales are starting to chance their arm with time against them but a 45m clearance and strong defensive line-out play has Australia back in possession around halfway.
65′: WALLAROOS TRY! Australia go bang-bang! It’s a well deserved try to Moleka who sparks and finishes a 60m try. Moleka spied space wide left from the restart, found Cecilia Smith in space who sent Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Desiree Miller storming downfield and was there to back up from the ruck recycle! Cramer’s conversion attempt is wide but the margin is 20! Wallaroos 25-5
63′: WALLAROOS TRY: Who else but Maya Stewart! Australia kick clear of the Welsh and it’s all about that Friedrichs-Stewart combo down the right wing! Atasi Lafai was held up over the chalk a minute earlier but showed great composure to unlock space for Friedrichs and Stewart to work their magic. Cramer’s sideline conversion adds a valuable pair of points. Wallaroos 20-5
58′: That Wallaroos scrum is becoming a real problem for Wales – this time it’s Bridie O’Gorman folding her opposite into the Cape Town turf and Australia are back on the offensive inside Welsh territory.
56′: WALLAROOS PENALTY GOAL: Australia’s pressure finally yields points with Moleka slotting her three-point attempt from 23m out. Lori Cramer and Atasi Lafai have also been injected off the pine with Caitlyn Halse and Kaitlan Leaney coming off. Wallaroos 13-5
54′: Karpani goes within millimetres of her second try but is held up by a dogged Welsh defence!
52′: A clutch play from Jasmine Joyce-Butcher saves Welsh blushes after Georgie Friedrichs toed a loose ball ahead and won the race deep into Wales’ 22m. Aussies still with momentum and territory though – they’re hot on the attack!
48′: A sensational Wallaroos scrum earns Australia a penalty and sends the Welsh backpedaling but the girls in gold can’t use their chance, coughing up possession once more.
46′: Moleka makes amends there with a brash move on her own try line, running out of trouble and linking up with Desiree Miller but the counterattack is cut short by Wales’ cover defence.
43′: A loose pass early from Faitala Moleka has given Wales an excellent attacking platform to start the second half but the Welsh are their own worst enemies once more, giving away a penalty for obstruction 5m from the try line.
40′: WALLAROOS TRY: Eva Karpani! The prop bumps off two defenders and swats the fullback away for a great solo try Wallaroos 10-5
35′: Unbelievable defence from Georgina Friedrichs stops a certain try as Wales drop the ball a metre out
31′: WALES TRY: Carys Phillips powers over at the back of the rolling maul 5-all
29′: Wales put the pressure back on with a great kick to force a turnover and the penalty
26′: Maya Stewart dominating with every carry but a knock on from the next phase stops the attack
23′: Eva Karpani down with a neck injury but she’s recovers and packs down
21′: WALLAROOS TRY: A sensational break from Maya Stewart sparks Australia as they get the penalty, with Layne Morgan catching Wales napping for the opening try Wallaroos 5-0
17′: The Wallaroos crash over but the referee calls use it even though the Aussies are still going forward, ending in a turnover…
15′: 13 phases from the Wallaroos doesn’t deliver the try despite some expansive plays but does provide a penalty to keep the pressure on
11′: Wallaroos struggling with lineout as they are pinged twice early for errors
8: A huge kick from Faitala Moleka and pressure from Desiree Miller delivers the results as they force Wales into touch, relieving pressure just outside Wales’ 22
6′: Wales back on the attack with a rolling maul 15 metres out but the Wallaroos work hard and hold up the defender for a goal-line dropout
2′: A dropped kickoff gives Wales a chance to build pressure, but they cough it up from a five metre maul
KICK OFF: We’re live in Cape Town for the Wallaroos opening game of the WXV 2 competition. It’s a tag team effort on this blog as Lachie wrap up in the NT with the Hottest Sevens so you’ve got Nathan to start with
LATE CHANGES: Confirmation Arabella McKenzie (head knock) is out, with Faitala Moleka starting and Lori Cramer on the bench. For Wales, Alex Callender starts at flanker with no Kate Williams. Byronie King comes onto the bench alongside Courtney Keight, who replaces Hannah Jones
WALLAROOS 10
Tries: Morgan, Karpani
Cons: Moleka 0/2
WALES 5
Tries: Phillips
Cons: Bevan 0/1
WALLAROOS v WALES TEAMS
Wallaroos (15-1): Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Layne Morgan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ash Marsters, Siokapesi Palu, Michaela Leonard (c), Kaitlan Leaney, Eva Karpani, Tania Naden, Bridie O’Gorman
Replacements: Tiarna Molloy, Alapeta Ngauamo, Lydia Kavoa, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Natalie Wright, Cecilia Smith, Lori Cramer.
Wales (15-1): Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan (c), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Donna Rose, Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Abbey Constable, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Byronie King, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight
Referee: Clara Munarin
HOW TO WATCH WALLAROOS v WALES
The Wallaroos’ clash with Wales will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 8:20 pm with kickoff expected at 8:30 pm.
