Australia booked a place in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals with a tense 13-7 win over Wales in their final pool game in Whangarei on Saturday.
Two Lori Cramer penalties separated the teams who scored one try apiece in windy conditions.
A second half yellow card to Wallaroos lock Kaitlan Leaney added to Australian nerves but Cramer’s boot and a crucial Piper Duck breakdown penalty sealed the deal late.
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Wallaroos halfback catches Wales napping
The Wallaroos – with two wins and one loss – will now wait on other results to discover their quarterfinal opponent next weekend.
“It’s massive for this group, we’ve come a long way,” Australia captain Shannon Parry said.
“Very proud to guts out a win against a very strong Wales team. We’ve been working really hard on our defensive systems and good to see it paying off today.”
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The victory might have been more comfortable if it wasn’t for a first half blunder from referee Sara Cox.
Australia was hot on attack and had a five on two overlap before Cox moved in the way of a pass from halfback Iliseva Batibasaga.
“This was an absolute shocker,” former international Allana Ferguson said on Stan Sport.
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“Honestly, like have a look at this overlap, that was a dead-set try. We couldn’t have not scored in that scenario. A massive shame that the ref was in the way there because that could have been a tipping point, we could have gone on with it then.
“That was horrendous, hard to watch.”
Wallaroos No.8 Grace Hamilton was again outstanding, making 28 carries against a well drilled pack and winning player of the match honours.
“She is outrageous today, in all areas of the game,” former New Zealand star Melodie Robinson said in commentary.
“She is some athlete, her conditioning… she has carried the ball more than anyone at this World Cup.
“Her pack doesn’t always dominate yet she is still standing out. She is the go forward.”
Batibasaga scored Australia’s try, catching the Welsh defence napping early on.
Veteran backrower Sioned Harries scored Wales’ try from close quarters in the first half.
The second half was scoreless until the 78th minute when Cramer clinched the game with a kick from close range.
Australia, playing with boldness, had earlier passed up several chances to kick penalties in an effort to secure tries.
Though they spent almost 10 minutes inside Wales’ 22 during the match they were unable to add to their early try.
Batibasaga scored in the fifth minute after a serious defensive misread by Wales.
Australia had an attacking scrum, moved the ball into midfield and had a series of pick and go’s under the posts which were repelled by Wales.
Batibasaga decided to look for a chance wider out but when she picked up the ball and turned away from the ruck she found the Wales defence had already drifted out, leaving a huge gap inside.
With only tight forwards to beat, she dashed in under the posts.
Harries scored for Wales in the 23rd minute to level the match.
The Wales pack has been impressive in all three of its group matches – its scrum strong and its lineout reliable.
It went to the lineout leading up to Harries try, taking clean ball off the top.
Harries darted in and took the ball almost to the goal line.
When it was stopped by the defence, Wales went to the pick and go and Harries timed her carry well and took the ball over the line.
The second half was full of action though it didn’t produce much scoring.
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There was a litany of errors from both sides.
Australia couldn’t hang onto the ball long enough to create another try and Wales went away from its reliance on its forward pack and also was drawn into an inconclusive contest in the open field.
Wales still has a faint chance of reaching the quarterfinals but must rely on the results of other matches.
In Saturday’s second match, defending champions New Zealand destroyed Scotland 57-0 to complete a perfect record in Pool A.
The Black Ferns played some scintillating attacking rugby and led 45-0 at halftime before taking their foot off the throat in the second term. – with Associated Press
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