Australia Run Riot to Seal Biggest-Ever Women’s World Cup Victory

Australia opened their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, running in 11 tries to secure a record-breaking 73-0 victory over Samoa in Salford, Sport360NG reports.

The Wallaroos’ performance not only marked their biggest-ever World Cup win but also the highest number of tries they have scored in a single match at the tournament. Their previous best margin was a 62-0 triumph over South Africa back in 2010.

Winger Desiree Miller stole the show early with a first-half hat-trick, while 18-year-old full-back Caitlyn Halse, the youngest Australian to feature at a Women’s World Cup – crossed with a superb solo effort that underlined her talent.

Head coach Joanne Yapp, formerly England’s captain, saw her side top Pool A on points difference ahead of England, though she admitted stronger tests lie ahead.

“We’ll take plenty from that performance, particularly the way we defended during the third quarter,” Yapp said afterwards. “Our physicality was pleasing, and we’ve worked hard on our kicking game to be smarter at this level. The players delivered that well today.”

Hooker Hera Amosa, prop Eva Karpani, lock Michaela Leonard Chancellor, and reserve hooker Adiana Talakai, who grabbed two late tries, were among the scorers, while Arabella McKenzie and Layne Cramer added from the tee.

Samoa, playing in their first World Cup since 2014 and ranked 15th in the world, struggled to match Australia’s pace and power but earned huge support from the crowd, who rallied behind the underdogs. Despite being outclassed, their defensive resilience after half-time denied Australia an even greater tally.

Head coach Ramsey Tomokino praised his players’ spirit: “We knew we’d become a lot of people’s second team, and the support was fantastic. Next week against England will be a different story, but this tournament is about building for the future. Our players are ambassadors who can inspire the next generation of Samoan women to play rugby.”

Australia face the United States in York next Saturday in what could prove the decisive match for a quarter-final spot alongside England. The Red Roses eased past the USA 69-7 in their opener and are expected to rotate heavily against Samoa, but their depth suggests another comfortable outing.

For Samoa, every match is part of the learning process. As Tomokino put it: “It feels right that Samoa are back on this stage. We’ve missed a couple of tournaments, but this is the beginning of something for future World Cups.”

Line-ups

Australia: Halse; Stewart, Friedrichs, Smith, Miller; Moleka, Wood; Pohiva, Amosa, Karpani, Leaney, Leonard, Duck, Chancellor.
Replacements: Talakai, Hoy, O’Gorman, Fernandez, Marsters, Morgan, Hinds, Cramer.

Samoa: Wright-Akeli; Col Aumua, Pouri-Lane, Makisi, Falaniko; Vatau, Afuie; Mamea, Filimaua, Aiono, Sio, Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Ryder, Pauaraisa, Atonio.
Replacements: Leuta, Aiolupotea, Iosefo, Taylor, Iva, Onosemo-Tuilaepa, Salale, Tugaga.

Referee: Lauren Jenner (New Zealand)