Wallaroos smashed by Canada as road to the World Cup begins

The Wallaroos, much like their male counterparts, have got a fair way to go before they can contend for the ultimate prize at the Rugby World Cup after a heavy loss to Canada.

Just like the Wallabies, the Wallaroos have got a fair way to go before they can contend for the ultimate prize at the Rugby World Cup.

Still a work in progress, the Australian women’s rugby team were given a blunt reminder of where they sit in the global pecking order after being smashed 33-14 by Canada at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

Unlike their blokes, who failed to even qualify for the last World Cup, Canada’s women are one of the best sides going around, climbing to third in the world rankings after their 19-point drubbing of the Aussies in the Pacific Four tournament.

Australia's Maya Stewart is tackled by Canada's Fancy Bermudez during the 33-14 loss at Allianz Stadium. Picture: AFP

The Wallaroos, now playing under new coach Jo Yapp, remain fifth but there were enough signs to show the gap can be closed.

“The opportunities were there, we created them, we just didn’t quite execute at those critical times,” Yapp said.

“We just got off really slowly. We lost the collisions early on both sides of the ball, and they just got good field position and capitalised and that was tough to come back from.‘.

The Australians have never beaten the Canadians in six Tests dating back to 2014 and made life tough for themselves when they gave up two tries inside the first 10 minutes.

Australia's Siokapesi Palu (C) runs with a ball for a try. Picture: AFP

The Canadians scored just three more in the remaining 70 minutes - with all five tries scored by their dominant forwards - while the Wallaroos replied with a try to Tania Naden off a rolling maul before the interval then a penalty try in the second half.

The Wallaroos play the United States next weekend before finishing off against New Zealand on May 25.

“We’re obviously disappointed in that result but props to Canada, they came out and they played a physical, fast game which we expected,” Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard said.

“I think the positives were that we showed the attacking threats that we do have when we execute well.

“It’s just going back to fixing our execution a little bit on our detail and bringing a little more physicality into it.”

Canada's DaLeaka Menin (C) avoids a tackle by the Wallaroos defence. Picture: AFP

PREVIEW

ROAD TO WORLD CUP BEGINS

The long road to the 2025 women’s Rugby World Cup starts on Saturday for the Wallaroos, who tackle Canada in the opening round of the Pacific Four tournament.

With new coach Jo Yapp at the helm, and three debutantes in the Australian squad, the Wallaroos are quietly confident of starting their latest campaign with a win at Allianz Stadium.

“Starting our Test campaign on home soil is really exciting and we’re really keen to get out there and hopefully put on a good show,” Wallaroos captain Michaela Leonard said.

“We’re definitely going to play eyes-up footy, giving girls the freedom to express themself and play their skill set and play the reason that’s got them into this sport in the first place.

“Hopefully we’ll see some fast footy, some expressive footy. We’re looking to move the ball around a lot, but hopefully some really high skill footy as well.”

Australia’s promise to go all-out attack is in line with the philosophy Yapp has brought to the squad since taking over as head coach.

The Wallaroos have only had limited time together in recent seasons but with more Tests scheduled in the lead up to next year’s World Cup, they are now building more combinations.

The squad has been together for just over a week to prepare for Canada, who are ranked fourth in the world and opened the series with a 43-point flogging of the United States in Los Angeles before flying into Sydney.

How will the Wallaroos go on Saturday? Picture: Getty Images)

“We’re actually genuinely quite surprised at how much we’ve picked up over the last eight days. We’re learning things a lot quicker,” Leonard said.

“We’re executing it a lot better on field a lot earlier, and I think everyone’s done really well, coaches, players included, to put together what we had so far this week.

“Over the last 18 months, there’s been a massive growth in the squad, particularly off field and on field with our standards and our culture so the group’s in a really good place at the moment.

“There’s been a shift in the group as to how much we expect from ourselves, how much we’re willing to put in.

“It’s a goal of ours to become a consistent top four nation.

“There’s not so much stress this week, but it’s been a real excitement to have Canada as our opening game for this year and leading into the 2025 World Cup as well.

“It’s a perfect platform to see where we’re standing, what work we need to do and to come out and prove a point and show where we are at the moment and where we’re willing to go and where we’re willing to take it over the next two years.”