Wallaroos fall to England in Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final

England has proved too strong for the Wallaroos in their Quarter-Final match-up at the Rugby World Cup, defeating the Australian side 41-5.  

Jay Tregonning's side was unable to match the England pack as they controlled the contest from the opening whistle.

Nonetheless, it has been a promising Rugby World Cup for a young Wallaroos squad that, prior to 2022, had not played for over two years due to the COVID pandemic – they certainly lost no admirers playing against a Red Roses side that has recently dominated women’s XVs.

England raced out to a 19-0 lead before some great hands put Emily Chancellor over in the corner for the Australians on the stroke of half-time. 

The Red Roses have won their last 28 games and showed their class to close out the game, with all seven tries coming via the forward pack. 

They join New Zealand and France in the final four after their wins over Wales and Italy respectively, and will play either Canada or USA in the Semi-Finals next weekend. 

“I think the first half we really hung in there and stuck to our process. You can’t take anything away from them, they’re a well-oiled machine but I can’t fault the effort the girls put in today,” captain Shannon Parry said after the match. 

“We showed glimpses of what we are able to do but it’s that dreaded 80-minute performance that we are still chasing. 

“Very proud of the girls, we’ve come a long way and this is a young group that’ll be there for three years-time.” 

Both teams were met with wild conditions as the rain pelted down at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland. 

The world number one Red Roses looked to establish their dominance early, and their scrum got the best of their Australian counterparts allowing captain Sarah Hunter to dive over for the opening try in her 138th game, breaking the record for most international caps by an English International. 

The Wallaroos were given a chance to strike when reigning World Rugby player of the year Zoe Aldcroft was yellow-carded for a dangerous cleanout on Georgina Friedrichs. 

Lori Cramer took the chance to try and add first points via a 45-metre penalty attempt, falling short in the torrid conditions. 

England continued to build pressure as the Wallaroos held strong, repelling waves of attack. 

Captain Shannon Parry found herself sitting down for ten after the Wallaroos had conceded too many penalties defending their line. 

England extended their lead via two tries to flanker Marlie Packer before the Wallaroos brought the Auckland crowd alive with a great display of running Rugby. 

Liz Patu broke through the line with a great run before her offload found Grace Hamilton, with some lovely hands from the number eight and Sharni Williams putting Emily Chancellor in just before the half-time whistle. 

England picked up from where they left off after the break, with Abbie Ward barging her way over the line after initially appearing to be held up. 

Amy Cokayne then crossed for a try after peeling off the back of the maul and finding space.

The Wallaroos' defence refused to give up and repeatedly found a way to deny further try-scoring opportunities.

With conditions improving by the minute, England looked to send a statement as Alex Matthews added to the advantage with the Red Roses’ sixth try, before Packer added her third as the siren sounded to seal an emphatic victory for England.

WALLAROOS 5 (Chancellor try) defeated by ENGLAND 41 (Packer 3, Hunter, Ward, Cokayne, Matthews tries; Scarratt 2, Rowland conversions)