The Wallaroos faced a significant setback in their preparations for the Rugby World Cup, suffering a 21-12 defeat against Wales in a challenging Test match held in Brisbane. The Australian team opened the scoring with a try from lock Annabelle Codey just seven minutes in. However, the match was halted for 30 minutes due to lightning, causing both players and spectators to seek shelter at Ballymore.
Following the disruption, Wales, ranked 10th globally compared to Australia’s sixth, quickly adapted. Nel Metcalfe was a standout performer, scoring two tries and earning player of the match honours. The Wallaroos’ No.8, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, managed to narrow the gap just before halftime, bringing the score to 14-12.
Unfortunately, Australia could not overcome the resolute defence exhibited by Wales in the second half. Centre Hannah Dallavalle sealed the victory for Wales with a decisive try, elegantly finishing off a grubber kick from No. 10 Lleucu George. Wallaroos captain Emily Chancellor reflected on the match, acknowledging issues with dropped balls and a performance that fell short of their capabilities. She stated, “It’s back to the drawing board for us… we came out really well in those first 10 minutes after the lightning, so you can’t really use that as an excuse.”
This win marked Wales’ first victory away in 818 days, leaving players like Alex Callender thrilled with the outcome. Callender remarked, “I am genuinely so proud of the girls. We’ve had a tough preseason, and this result really means a lot to us.” She emphasised the importance of their physical approach and credited the team’s outstanding defence.
The Wallaroos will have a chance to regroup and face Wales again at North Sydney Oval on Friday before they depart for the World Cup, set to commence on August 23. The final score reflected Wales’ impressive performance: Wales 21 (Metcalfe 2, Dallavalle tries; Bevan 3 conversions) defeated the Wallaroos 12 (Codey, Tuinakauvadra tries; Miller conversion).