Written by Nathan Williamson on Sep 20, 2024 07:40 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
A last minute try has given Wales a 31-24 win over the Wallaroos in Newport.
Flanker Kate Williams proved the hero to give the Welsh their first win over their Australian counterparts.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle Wales live and exclusive on Stan Sport.
It was a tense affair with the two sides set to meet again in WXV 2 next weekend as they went into the break locked at 7-all.
The hosts’ powerful rolling maul gave them the edge early in the second half as hooker Molly Reardon crossed for a double.
However, the Wallaroos were gutsy in their fightback, with tries to standouts Caitlyn Halse and Tabua Tuinakauvadra levelling the scores before Williams’ late effort.
The Wallaroos got off to a powerful start as Tabua Tuinakauvadra’s set the tempo with a great burst to get the visitors into Wales half.
It allowed winger Maya Stewart to continue her red hot form as the winger stepped past her defender and the fullback to score the opener.
Wales were quick to answer back as a powerful maul got them inside the five metre line, allowing scrum half Kiera Bevan to dive over.
It would be the lone tries of the halves as ill-discipline hurt both sides.
Flanker Ash Marsters looked to have scored a great individual try, beating the fullback and diving over, only for the TMO to spot her feet beyond the ruck and in an offside position.
Wales has their own chances inside the Wallaroos 22 but were inaccurate with their handling as the Australian’s scrum put them under significant pressure.
Australia got the chance to take the lead when a mistake from the Welsh kickoff allowed Faitala Moleka to kick an easy three points.
From here, Wales used the wind to build territory and pressure, taking the lead through their rolling maul and Molly Reardon.
Replacement backrower Alisha Butchers burrowed over the line to extend the advantage shortly afterwards to nine points before Australia mounted a late charge.
Arabella McKenzie’s chip in behind for Stewart opened the Welsh defence up for Caitlyn Halse to power her way over, celebrating her 18th birthday in style.
Reardon’s second from the rolling maul restored the lead but the Wallaroos refused to give up and a looping ball from Layne Morgan found Tabua Tuinakauvadra for the levelling try.
A costly penalty gave Wales a chance to launch another rolling maul and whilst the visitors shut them down, they gave away a costly penalty advantage.
It allowed Williams to find a gap in the Australian defence as she crashed over for the game-winning try.
“We take that one on our chest there,” captain Michaela Leonard said.
“We previewed coming into this game discipline would be crucial and keeping them out of our 22 because that’s where they convert their points and that’s the game we saw out there tonight.
WALLAROOS 24
Tries: Stewart, Halse, Tuinakauvadra
Cons: Moleka 1/1, McKenzie 2/2
Pens: Moleka 1/1
WALES 31
Tries: Bevan, Reardon 2, Butchers, Williams
Cons: Bevan 3/5
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, Arabella McKenzie, Lori Cramer.
Wales (15-1): Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan (c), Bethan Lewis, Kate Williams, Bryonie King, Georgia Evans, Abbie Fleming, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Rosie Carr, Gwenllian Pyrs
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alisha Butchers, Sian Jones, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant Referees: Holly Wood (England), Chelsea Gillespie (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
