The Wallaroos have ended a three-match losing streak and delivered their performance so far under Jo Yapp, exacting sweet revenge on Wales in their first match of the WXV 2 competition in Cape Town.
After a closely fought first half that saw a barnstorming Eva Karpani try to give the Aussies a 10-5 lead going into the break, the Wallaroos broke the Welsh in the second half and the floodgates opened – running out 37-5 winners.
Layne Morgan got the Wallaroos on the board early thanks to a fantastic break from Maya Stewart – before Wales hit back through their ever-reliable rolling maul with a try to Carys Phillips.
Faitala Moleka – a late inclusion after Arabella McKenzie pulled out due to injury – produced a Player of the Match performance and her best performance yet in gold, partnering brilliantly with Morgan and setting up a try for her efforts.
Maya Stewart would score two tries in the second half, further confirming her status as the Wallaroos’ premier attacking weapon – with a long-range effort a contender for try of the year.
Tries to Desiree Miller and Lori Cramer complimented a dominant performance at scrum time, with the Welsh struggling against a well-drilled Wallaroos scrum that also caused them many problems in their match last week in Newport.
The result sends a strong message to the rest of the competition, with South Africa also off to a winning start against Japan.
The Wallaroos will face the hosts on October 6, before concluding their season and campaign against Scotland.
MORE TO COME
