Written by Lachlan Grey and Nathan Williamson on Sep 28, 2024 10:00 PM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
Maya Stewart with an incredible run to score
The Wallaroos have sent a message to the rest of the WXV 2 competition with a 37-5 victory over Wales.
The Australians ran away with the contest in the second half as Maya Stewart crossed for a double.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle Wales live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
It included a try-of-the-year contender in the finale moments in what would be their best second half under new coach Jo Yapp.
It was a tense affair in the opening half as both teams brought the intensity from their Newport thriller.
Wales had the first opportunities to attack but were unable to breach a determined Australian defensive line.
It allowed the Wallaroos to launch their own attacks and then looked to have scored through a rolling maul to Tania Naden, called back by the referee for not using the ball in time.
The Australians eventually opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Maya Stewart continued her brilliant form after she broke through multiple defenders to draw a penalty and get the Wallaroos inside the 22. From here, a quick tap from Layne Morgan caught Wales napping as the Waratah burrowed over.
Wales were quick to respond and it was their trusty rolling maul that did the job via Carys Phillips.
Only some heroic defence from Georgina Friedrichs kept the scores level before the half as she forced a mistake from the Welsh a metre from the line.
It sparked the Australians as Eva Karpani produced a special solo try to give Jo Yapp’s side the lead at half-time.
Karpani took the ball at the 22 and bumped off two defenders, swatting away the fullback for a wonderful five-pointer and a 10-5 advantage at the break.
The Wallaroos continued to press to start the second half as they struggled to break down the Welsh defence.
A penalty to Faitala Moleka, who was a late replacement for Arabella McKenzie, pushed their lead out past a converted try.
The combination of Friedrichs and Stewart opened the game up as the winger crossed for her fourth try in three games.
Moleka crossed two minutes later after a lovely team try that saw forwards and backs combine to put Desiree Miller into space, with the flyhalf diving over a phase later to secure the bonus point.
Miller and Cramer then combined to put the game well out of reach with ten minutes to go.
But the best was yet to come as Stewart’s second put in a late nomination for try of the year.
With Wales down to 14, Stewart collected the inside ball from Moleka from halfway and sprinted past two defenders, palming off one and bumping off another for an unbelievable solo effort to seal the win.
WALLAROOS 37
Tries: Morgan, Karpani, Stewart 2, Moleka, Cramer
Cons: Moleka 0/2, Cramer 2/4
Pens: Moleka 1/1
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
