
Wallaroos aim to head into World Cup with Welsh scalp
The Australians will take on the Welsh at North Sydney Oval on Friday with the match following a 21-12 loss to the tourists in Brisbane last weekend.
The Wallaroos got off to a positive start, with Annabelle Codey crossing in the eighth minute.
But after a 30-minute delay, with the teams ordered off Ballymore due to lightning, the hosts lost their way to fall to Wales for just the second time in 10 meetings.
While they created plenty of opportunities they recorded 24 turnovers in the greasy conditions, with about half from dropped balls, while their usually dependable lineout faltered, losing five of their own throws.
Winger Desiree Miller said the review was "tough to watch", with the team putting the error-riddled effort down to an off day.
The Australians will fly to the UK and face Samoa in their opening World Cup pool game in Salford on August 23 and Miller said that after three successive losses, they wanted to arrive with confidence.
"It was pretty tough to watch and it definitely doesn't reflect what we've been working on the last few months," the 23-year-old said.
"It's just upsetting to see that we couldn't put out on the field what we've been working so hard for.
"Fortunately enough, we have this next round versus Wales again to rectify that and produce a result we're happy with and build some confidence, especially leading into the World Cup in a couple of weeks."
Almost a year ago the Wallaroos were edged by Wales at home but a week later faced them again and rebounded with a thumping 37-5 victory which helped Australia clinch the WVX2 trophy in South Africa.
"I guess we can reflect back on last year and see that we can do it," said the NSW Waratahs star.
"So, yes, something that we can definitely focus on in the days leading up but like I said, it wasn't acceptable what we produced and we're looking to really rectify that and produce a better result because that's not who we are."
A big crowd is expected given the Welsh supporters who are in Sydney ahead of the third Test between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions 24 hours later at Accor Stadium.
"It's predicted to be the biggest World Cup to date, which is awesome, and it's great for the women's game, so getting a taste of that, kind of acclimatised to that, it's a good preparation heading into the World Cup," said Miller.
The Wallaroos are hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice as they get the chance to square the ledger with Wales in their final Test before the Women's Rugby World Cup.
The Australians will take on the Welsh at North Sydney Oval on Friday with the match following a 21-12 loss to the tourists in Brisbane last weekend.
The Wallaroos got off to a positive start, with Annabelle Codey crossing in the eighth minute.
But after a 30-minute delay, with the teams ordered off Ballymore due to lightning, the hosts lost their way to fall to Wales for just the second time in 10 meetings.
While they created plenty of opportunities they recorded 24 turnovers in the greasy conditions, with about half from dropped balls, while their usually dependable lineout faltered, losing five of their own throws.
Winger Desiree Miller said the review was "tough to watch", with the team putting the error-riddled effort down to an off day.
The Australians will fly to the UK and face Samoa in their opening World Cup pool game in Salford on August 23 and Miller said that after three successive losses, they wanted to arrive with confidence.
"It was pretty tough to watch and it definitely doesn't reflect what we've been working on the last few months," the 23-year-old said.
"It's just upsetting to see that we couldn't put out on the field what we've been working so hard for.
"Fortunately enough, we have this next round versus Wales again to rectify that and produce a result we're happy with and build some confidence, especially leading into the World Cup in a couple of weeks."
Almost a year ago the Wallaroos were edged by Wales at home but a week later faced them again and rebounded with a thumping 37-5 victory which helped Australia clinch the WVX2 trophy in South Africa.
"I guess we can reflect back on last year and see that we can do it," said the NSW Waratahs star.
"So, yes, something that we can definitely focus on in the days leading up but like I said, it wasn't acceptable what we produced and we're looking to really rectify that and produce a better result because that's not who we are."
A big crowd is expected given the Welsh supporters who are in Sydney ahead of the third Test between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions 24 hours later at Accor Stadium.
"It's predicted to be the biggest World Cup to date, which is awesome, and it's great for the women's game, so getting a taste of that, kind of acclimatised to that, it's a good preparation heading into the World Cup," said Miller.
The Wallaroos are hoping that lightning doesn't strike twice as they get the chance to square the ledger with Wales in their final Test before the Women's Rugby World Cup.
The Australians will take on the Welsh at North Sydney Oval on Friday with the match following a 21-12 loss to the tourists in Brisbane last weekend.
The Wallaroos got off to a positive start, with Annabelle Codey crossing in the eighth minute.
But after a 30-minute delay, with the teams ordered off Ballymore due to lightning, the hosts lost their way to fall to Wales for just the second time in 10 meetings.
While they created plenty of opportunities they recorded 24 turnovers in the greasy conditions, with about half from dropped balls, while their usually dependable lineout faltered, losing five of their own throws.
Winger Desiree Miller said the review was "tough to watch", with the team putting the error-riddled effort down to an off day.
The Australians will fly to the UK and face Samoa in their opening World Cup pool game in Salford on August 23 and Miller said that after three successive losses, they wanted to arrive with confidence.
"It was pretty tough to watch and it definitely doesn't reflect what we've been working on the last few months," the 23-year-old said.
"It's just upsetting to see that we couldn't put out on the field what we've been working so hard for.
"Fortunately enough, we have this next round versus Wales again to rectify that and produce a result we're happy with and build some confidence, especially leading into the World Cup in a couple of weeks."
Almost a year ago the Wallaroos were edged by Wales at home but a week later faced them again and rebounded with a thumping 37-5 victory which helped Australia clinch the WVX2 trophy in South Africa.
"I guess we can reflect back on last year and see that we can do it," said the NSW Waratahs star.
"So, yes, something that we can definitely focus on in the days leading up but like I said, it wasn't acceptable what we produced and we're looking to really rectify that and produce a better result because that's not who we are."
A big crowd is expected given the Welsh supporters who are in Sydney ahead of the third Test between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions 24 hours later at Accor Stadium.
"It's predicted to be the biggest World Cup to date, which is awesome, and it's great for the women's game, so getting a taste of that, kind of acclimatised to that, it's a good preparation heading into the World Cup," said Miller.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Wighton cops four-game ban in a huge blow for the Rabbitohs
Wayne Bennett's hopes of avoiding his first wooden spoon have taken a massive hit with veteran playmaker Jack Wighton slapped with a whopping four-match ban after he was found guilty of a grade two shoulder charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night. The Rabbitohs have lost eight in a row and head into round 22 in last spot behind the Knights and Titans on points differential, but their hopes of causing a gigantic boilover against the Broncos have copped a devastating blow with their five-eighth sidelined. He joins a host of stars who are missing for the club including Cam Murray, Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker. Wighton could have accepted a three-match ban for the grade two charge that saw him sent to the sin bin for a tackle that knocked out Cronulla's Toby Rudolf on Saturday night but rolled the dice after he pleaded not guilty. The panel of Greg McCallum and Bob Lindner listened to the 75-minute hearing and deliberated for just 15 minutes before they unanimously found him guilty. 'It was a fair hearing,' Wighton said afterwards. 'We came here thinking we had a good case. We didn't get the result we wanted. 'I'll turn my attention to preparing my teammates and really helping everyone at my club the best way I can.' It was a reunion of sorts between Wighton and judiciary counsel Patrick Knowles, with the five-eighth asking him 'how many games of rugby league have you played?' during a fiery hearing in 2023 when he was banned for three matches for biting. Wighton didn't give evidence on this occasion, a point not lost on Knowles who suggested he could have explained why there were no other options available to him to make a different type of tackle. However, judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew reminded the panel that Wighton had no obligation to justify. Knowles described the contact as a 'textbook example of a shoulder charge' and that he twisted his body, the right shoulder led the forceful contact and that his left arm raised in a bracing motion but didn't attempt to wrap. 'The amount of force generated in a tackle that used no arms carries a significant risk of injury,' he said. 'The shoulder was the first impact and carried the primary degree of force.' Prominent Sydney lawyer Nick Ghabar represented Wighton and argued it was 'quite wrong' to suggest he propped and drove with the shoulder and that he did his best to avoid a head on collision. Ghabar argued that the right arm wrapped around Rudolf's left arm before contact and that the Cronulla forward generated the force by leading with his head and arms. 'Rudolf stepped 'violently' off his left foot,' he said, arguing that it was inevitable that there'd be a more violent collision if Wighton hadn't dipped his body. 'Wighton drops his body height to avoid the risk of a head clash. He's got a split second decision to make. He's attempting to tackle with his left arm but his right arm doesn't have the ability to swing around the back of Rudolf.' The referee's report from Belinda Sharpe included a quote from Wighton that said 'I couldn't get my arm out', while the medical report said the injury was caused by a 'head clash from opponent'. Ghabar suggested that the first contact was shoulder on shoulder, but that played into the argument it was an actual shoulder charge. Knowles refuted a number of those arguments and pointed out Wighton's right fist was clenched so it couldn't have been a conventional wrapping tackle and that he could've twisted the other way and made a conventional left shoulder tackle. Ghabar sought a downgrade that would have seen Wighton miss two matches, but it was dismissed after Knowles argued the force was moderate, it was careless and the risk of injury was moderate and that the risk came to fruition. Wighton will miss matches against the Broncos, Titans, Eels and Dragons and will return in the final round against the Roosters, with Lewis Dodd likely to start in the halves.


The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
World Cup-chasing Socceroo Hrustic seals club move
Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029. Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029. Playmaker Ajdin Hrustic has returned to Dutch club Heracles Almelo as he attempts to force his way back into the Socceroos side ahead of the World Cup. Hrustic, one of Australia's most gifted attacking midfielders, has joined the Eredivisie club on a one-year deal after previously playing there on loan in 2024. Between club moves that haven't worked out and bad injuries, Hrustic's national team minutes have been limited in recent years. The 29-year-old, who most recently played at Italian club Salernitana, has not featured for the national team since last October. "Heracles Almelo was fantastic last year after I went through a very difficult period at Hellas Verona due to an injury," Hrustic said in an interview on Heracles' website. "I've never forgotten what the people in Almelo did for me. After talking with manager Bas Sibum, I was even more enthusiastic about returning. He wants to play energetic football, and that suits me. "My first priority is to be happy here again and also play many high-level matches. That's good for Heracles Almelo and good for me. "I want to be in top shape for the World Cup with Australia in a year." In his previous stint with the Dutch club, Hrustic made 14 appearances and scored one goal. Hrustic follows dynamic left-back Jordy Bos who last week signed with Dutch powerhouse Feyenoord until 2029.

Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Coaching may be next as Townsend bids farewell to 15-year career
'To be honest, there were aspects of it where it was hard and not hard,' he said. 'I feel like when you know, you know, and I feel like that my time is now. 'I've given this game everything I've had for the last 15 years, and I feel like I don't want to play any more next season, and that's a really comforting thought for me. 'I got told by an ex-teammate of mine that when you know, you know, and I'm very grateful that I'm in that position that I know.' Townsend said his plan is 'definitely to stay involved in the game', either in the media or as a coach. He had many fond memories and career highlights, but winning a premiership with the Sharks was the pinnacle. 'I grew up in the Shire,' he said. 'I was a Sharks fan. I had my Sharks flag on the hill. I got a photo of ET [Sharks legend Andrew Ettingshausen] signing a shirt of mine in the sheds.' Fonua-Blake had given up on Origin. Now there's a glimmer of hope He resigned himself long ago to never being able to play State of Origin, but if the goalposts were to shift suddenly, Addin Fonua-Blake would love to have a shot. Fonua-Blake, the Cronulla and Tongan international front-rower, is one of a handful of players likely to be impacted by a landmark ARL Commission proposal to change Origin eligibility rules. ARLC chairman Peter V'landys confirmed last week that he was considering an overhaul of Origin qualification criteria, specifically so that NSW and Queensland players have an opportunity to represent tier-one nations other than Australia. Under the current rules, players such as Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton and Brian To'o are able to represent their states as well as playing internationally for a tier-two nation, in their case Samoa. Players are not permitted to play Origin if they align themselves with tier-one nations New Zealand and England. Fonua-Blake, who was born in Sydney and played his junior football with Mascot Jets, cost himself any chance of Origin selection when he accepted a position in New Zealand's 2017 World Cup squad, playing one game off the bench in a 74-6 hammering of Scotland. He has since changed his allegiance from the Kiwis to tier-two Tonga, whom he captained at the Pacific Championships last year. And while Fonua-Blake insists he has no regrets about the momentous decision he made as a 21-year-old, he would be open to the prospect of pulling on a sky-blue jersey. 'Oh look, at the moment if the opportunity comes along and I'm good enough to make the team, then yeah, obviously I'd welcome the idea,' he said. 'But right now, I'm just focused on the Sharks. Either way, if they keep the rules, change the rules, they'll do as they see fit. All that is outside my control.' Fonua-Blake is at peace with his Origin exclusion, saying: 'That ship sailed a long time ago for me, and I'm happy representing Tonga and playing for the Sharks.' But he admitted to being 'a bit jealous' every year when the interstate series kicked off. 'They're probably the biggest games on the calendar and you'd love to be a part of it,' he said. 'So yeah, like I said, if the opportunity came along, I wouldn't mind having to go in that arena and see how I go. We'll see what happens, I guess.' Loading Meanwhile, Fonua-Blake was confident an Achilles issue that hindered him during Cronulla's 14-12 win against South Sydney on Saturday was nothing to worry about. He still managed to carry the ball 162 metres and make 20 tackles in his 47 minutes on the field, helping Cronulla to post their third consecutive victory. 'It was an ugly win, but sometimes you've got to win ugly,' Fonua-Blake said. Dragons boss locked in for three more years as recruitment guru arrives Dan Walsh, Michael Chammas Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster will continue in the role for another three years following changes to the St George Illawarra constitution aimed at providing further off-field stability at the joint-venture club. Lancaster's lengthy extension comes at a critical juncture for the club given last Friday's gallant loss to North Queensland has coach Shane Flanagan staring down a second successive bottom-eight finish, which would extend the Dragons' finals drought to seven seasons. Daniel Anderson starts as recruitment manager at St George Illawarra this week, having been lured from the Roosters, while chief executive Tim Watsford took charge of the club only in June. Lancaster's current three-year tenure was due to expire at the end of this season under terms agreed to following WIN Corporation's purchase of the Steelers' 50 per cent share in the club in 2018. The initial privatisation agreement stipulated a new chair every 12 months on a rotational basis. Between 2018 and 2022, Andrew Gordon, Brian Johnston, Craig Young and Lancaster served in the role, before club policy was changed to guarantee a minimum three-year term for each chair. A similar agreement has now been signed off by the St George Illawarra board. As a result, Lancaster – a member of the board at Nine Entertainment, publisher of this masthead, and WIN chief executive – is now set to remain at the Dragons helm until at least the end of 2028. On the field, Friday's defeat to the Cowboys was St George Illawarra's ninth by eight points or less this season. Had the Red V won half of those tight losses, they would be among the five-team log jam scrambling for a finals spot. Anderson will lead a revamped recruitment department at the club from Monday, with the Dragons in the market for star power up front and in the halves to complement a promising batch of emerging local juniors. NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now