logo
Canada bully Wallaroos in World Cup reality check

Canada bully Wallaroos in World Cup reality check

The Advertiser23-05-2025
The Canadian juggernaut have offered the new-look Wallaroos a harsh pre-World Cup reminder of their standing with a 45-7 Test win in Brisbane.
World No.2 Canada dominated every aspect of Friday afternoon's clash, only the second time Australia's women have graced Suncorp Stadium.
Down 21-0 after 20 minutes, the hosts were lucky not to concede more than one extra try before the break, although there was a response to begin the second stanza.
A strong tackle-busting effort from winger Desiree Miller to score was brief respite though in a dominant Canadian performance.
Australia, ranked sixth in the world, beat world No.8 USA last weekend after a comprehensive loss to No.3 New Zealand to begin the Pacific Four Series.
Canada drew with New Zealand last week and will enter August's World Cup in England, where the hosts top the rankings, confident of bringing the trophy back with them.
In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth.
"Would have loved the win last weekend but had to move on quickly," Canadian captain Alex Tessier said.
"Very proud; a decent win and put a lot of points on the board.
"The Pac Four plays a huge role (for the World Cup) ... which is coming up quite quickly."
The visitor's forward pack was rampaging in the first half, Australia unable to plug the gaps in defence and hesitant with ball in hand while their line-out struggled to function.
Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick had her moments in her first Test at inside centre, making a strong covering tackle to save a try and darting through the line whenever the opportunity presented.
The Wallaroos' replacement forwards also made an impact, reserve hooker Adiana Talakai unlucky to have a try disallowed after her injection after halftime.
Australia captain and back-rower Siokapesi Palu was another bright spot for the side but admitted her team had work to do with three Tests left before their World Cup opener.
"Canada were really physical, and set piece again was challenging," she said.
"We know they're a quality side and we really need to step up moving forward."
The Canadian juggernaut have offered the new-look Wallaroos a harsh pre-World Cup reminder of their standing with a 45-7 Test win in Brisbane.
World No.2 Canada dominated every aspect of Friday afternoon's clash, only the second time Australia's women have graced Suncorp Stadium.
Down 21-0 after 20 minutes, the hosts were lucky not to concede more than one extra try before the break, although there was a response to begin the second stanza.
A strong tackle-busting effort from winger Desiree Miller to score was brief respite though in a dominant Canadian performance.
Australia, ranked sixth in the world, beat world No.8 USA last weekend after a comprehensive loss to No.3 New Zealand to begin the Pacific Four Series.
Canada drew with New Zealand last week and will enter August's World Cup in England, where the hosts top the rankings, confident of bringing the trophy back with them.
In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth.
"Would have loved the win last weekend but had to move on quickly," Canadian captain Alex Tessier said.
"Very proud; a decent win and put a lot of points on the board.
"The Pac Four plays a huge role (for the World Cup) ... which is coming up quite quickly."
The visitor's forward pack was rampaging in the first half, Australia unable to plug the gaps in defence and hesitant with ball in hand while their line-out struggled to function.
Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick had her moments in her first Test at inside centre, making a strong covering tackle to save a try and darting through the line whenever the opportunity presented.
The Wallaroos' replacement forwards also made an impact, reserve hooker Adiana Talakai unlucky to have a try disallowed after her injection after halftime.
Australia captain and back-rower Siokapesi Palu was another bright spot for the side but admitted her team had work to do with three Tests left before their World Cup opener.
"Canada were really physical, and set piece again was challenging," she said.
"We know they're a quality side and we really need to step up moving forward."
The Canadian juggernaut have offered the new-look Wallaroos a harsh pre-World Cup reminder of their standing with a 45-7 Test win in Brisbane.
World No.2 Canada dominated every aspect of Friday afternoon's clash, only the second time Australia's women have graced Suncorp Stadium.
Down 21-0 after 20 minutes, the hosts were lucky not to concede more than one extra try before the break, although there was a response to begin the second stanza.
A strong tackle-busting effort from winger Desiree Miller to score was brief respite though in a dominant Canadian performance.
Australia, ranked sixth in the world, beat world No.8 USA last weekend after a comprehensive loss to No.3 New Zealand to begin the Pacific Four Series.
Canada drew with New Zealand last week and will enter August's World Cup in England, where the hosts top the rankings, confident of bringing the trophy back with them.
In seven World Cups Australia have a sole third-placed finish and otherwise finished no higher than fifth.
"Would have loved the win last weekend but had to move on quickly," Canadian captain Alex Tessier said.
"Very proud; a decent win and put a lot of points on the board.
"The Pac Four plays a huge role (for the World Cup) ... which is coming up quite quickly."
The visitor's forward pack was rampaging in the first half, Australia unable to plug the gaps in defence and hesitant with ball in hand while their line-out struggled to function.
Sevens convert Charlotte Caslick had her moments in her first Test at inside centre, making a strong covering tackle to save a try and darting through the line whenever the opportunity presented.
The Wallaroos' replacement forwards also made an impact, reserve hooker Adiana Talakai unlucky to have a try disallowed after her injection after halftime.
Australia captain and back-rower Siokapesi Palu was another bright spot for the side but admitted her team had work to do with three Tests left before their World Cup opener.
"Canada were really physical, and set piece again was challenging," she said.
"We know they're a quality side and we really need to step up moving forward."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992
‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992

Sydney Morning Herald

time17 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992

The last time the Wallabies won at Cape Town, in 1992, captain Nick Farr-Jones and his World Cup-winning squad played in a country filled with tension. The Springboks had been officially isolated from Test rugby for eight years due to the nation's apartheid regime, and the arrival of teams from New Zealand and Australia for two Tests was a tentative gesture of support for a country grappling with the transition to democracy. One year before Farr-Jones had lifted the World Cup in front of Queen Elizabeth, but according to many Afrikaners, it was a phoney prize. 'We went up to Pretoria [for a tour match],' Farr-Jones said. 'You've got a lot of Afrikaners up there and, of course, they [South Africa] weren't part of the 1991 World Cup, and my long-lasting memory is the Afrikaners coming up to me, recognising me, knowing who I was and basically to summarise, they would say, 'Congratulations on winning what you perceive to be the World Cup, and until you've beaten us, you've won nothing'.' In 1992, South Africa was stumbling on its first tentative steps to democracy as it attempted to transition from the institutionalised racial segregation of apartheid. Nelson Mandela had been released from prison two years earlier after 27 years behind bars, and talks between his party, the African National Congress, and the government were difficult. The invitation to New Zealand and Australia to play the Springboks in South Africa only came with the express blessing of the ANC. 'When I was a young fella, in the mid-80s, I always thought that sport and politics shouldn't cross over,' Farr-Jones said. 'But when I saw the pressure that isolation [in sport] brought on South Africa to change, I turned 180 degrees. 'I believe that that isolation was very important in getting rid of apartheid, that abhorrent culture, and so I went from someone who [believed] sport and politics shouldn't interfere, to someone that felt this was the right thing to do in isolating South Africa, economically and sport.' In the lead up to the game, Farr-Jones had the opportunity to spent time with Mandela, a man who he bonded with as a fellow lawyer and admired greatly for his courageous stance against apartheid. The Wallabies almost did not take to the field in Newlands, as the ANC and its supporters were unhappy after their requests for the apartheid-era national anthem and flag not to be used before the game against New Zealand were ignored.

‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992
‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992

The Age

time17 hours ago

  • The Age

‘You've won nothing': How World Cup-winning Wallabies silenced South Africa in 1992

The last time the Wallabies won at Cape Town, in 1992, captain Nick Farr-Jones and his World Cup-winning squad played in a country filled with tension. The Springboks had been officially isolated from Test rugby for eight years due to the nation's apartheid regime, and the arrival of teams from New Zealand and Australia for two Tests was a tentative gesture of support for a country grappling with the transition to democracy. One year before Farr-Jones had lifted the World Cup in front of Queen Elizabeth, but according to many Afrikaners, it was a phoney prize. 'We went up to Pretoria [for a tour match],' Farr-Jones said. 'You've got a lot of Afrikaners up there and, of course, they [South Africa] weren't part of the 1991 World Cup, and my long-lasting memory is the Afrikaners coming up to me, recognising me, knowing who I was and basically to summarise, they would say, 'Congratulations on winning what you perceive to be the World Cup, and until you've beaten us, you've won nothing'.' In 1992, South Africa was stumbling on its first tentative steps to democracy as it attempted to transition from the institutionalised racial segregation of apartheid. Nelson Mandela had been released from prison two years earlier after 27 years behind bars, and talks between his party, the African National Congress, and the government were difficult. The invitation to New Zealand and Australia to play the Springboks in South Africa only came with the express blessing of the ANC. 'When I was a young fella, in the mid-80s, I always thought that sport and politics shouldn't cross over,' Farr-Jones said. 'But when I saw the pressure that isolation [in sport] brought on South Africa to change, I turned 180 degrees. 'I believe that that isolation was very important in getting rid of apartheid, that abhorrent culture, and so I went from someone who [believed] sport and politics shouldn't interfere, to someone that felt this was the right thing to do in isolating South Africa, economically and sport.' In the lead up to the game, Farr-Jones had the opportunity to spent time with Mandela, a man who he bonded with as a fellow lawyer and admired greatly for his courageous stance against apartheid. The Wallabies almost did not take to the field in Newlands, as the ANC and its supporters were unhappy after their requests for the apartheid-era national anthem and flag not to be used before the game against New Zealand were ignored.

Nowhere to hide: Australia exposed by Smith retirement
Nowhere to hide: Australia exposed by Smith retirement

The Age

time20 hours ago

  • The Age

Nowhere to hide: Australia exposed by Smith retirement

It's no coincidence that Australia's hiding by South Africa in Cairns was their first ODI since the retirement of Steve Smith. In conditions that were momentarily tricky against the wily left-arm spin of Keshav Maharaj, Australia showed absolutely no ability to adapt to a newish ball spinning off a tacky surface, when they needed only to get through four or so overs for the drop and bite to diminish. That adaptability and thought were hallmarks of Smith's ODI career, finding ways to work with the ebb and flow of a 50-over game to make the runs required. Last time Australia played games up in Cairns, a 3-0 thumping of New Zealand in 2022, Smith was a star on a series of similarly testy surfaces, scoring his runs at a relatively sedate pace but playing the situation with mastery. But without him this time, after Smith elected to hang up his one-day kit and go play in the Hundred in England instead, the batting line-up looked dispiritingly gullible when pitted against Maharaj. He spun a web as thick as that conjured up by Shane Warne against South Africa in a famous World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston in 1999. Marnus Labuschagne, ostensibly there to take Smith's role, misread the length and was beaten by turn to be lbw, the 14th occasion on which a left-arm spinner had got him in an ODI. Cameron Green was similarly outfoxed to lose his off stump, and Josh Inglis – a noted player of spin – was nowhere to a quicker delivery that skidded through. Alex Carey's first-ball sweep was misjudged, and Aaron Hardie contrived for a near action replay of Green's dismissal. Maharaj's spell of destruction reduced the Australians to 6-89, having been 0-60 just nine overs before. That captain Mitchell Marsh and number eight Ben Dwarshuis were then able to play Maharaj with few dramas, in a game-prolonging stand of 71, only enhanced the sense of worry about what had just transpired.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store