Pacific 4, Round Two
GIO Stadium, Canberra
For once, we must start at the end of the match.
It was bad. Alev Kelter had made many errors, with and without the ball. Aimee Barrett-Theron had offered words of caution, but when she was held in contact, Kelter trod on a prone opponent’s head more than once. It was deemed deliberate. ABT’s response was to give that still rare decision, a straight red and no call for a review. Thoroughly distasteful.
This was a huge pity after a game that had swung from end to end, neither side able to retain possession and territory for long.
The USA had the edge at early scrums and profited with penetrating runs. Were they over the line? No, but they won a penalty for a no-arm tackle. Kate Zackary, close to the near post, opted for another scrum. After several drives Hope Rogers did the trick by pirouetting over. 0-7
The Wallaroos answered at once. A sudden break from contact by Siokapesi Palu led to Michaela Leonard feeding Charlotte Caslick for her debut try. Yes, her first, after thousands in the 7s game! She was to play a far more prominent role than last time. 7-7
The Eagles were displaying greater invention and cohesion here than in the first round. But a fine rolling maul was at the wrong end of the field. ABT spotted an obstruction and they conceded possession still close to their line.
Faitala Moleka was showing her worth at 10, accurate with her kicks. Now she put in a 50:22 to re-exert pressure. The Eagles offended at the line-out and Ash Marsters tapped and went over. 12-7
When the ball spun out again to Caslick, her long grubber caused Tess Feury to hook a hasty clearance well short. From the line-out Eva Karpani scored the hosts’ third from close in. 19-7
The Eagles reacted at once. Ilona Maher made a drive with bodies hanging off her, and Rogers had her second as the break approached. 19-14
Once more the game swung the other way; the Wallaroos handled delightfully, and Caslick inserted another telling kick. Kelter juggled and had to carry over.
Yet more drama. Desiree Miller just managed to stop a break-out, but the referee spotted an Aussie offence. Kelter’s kick stayed infield and home voices screamed ‘kick it out!’ Moleka finally did.
Half-time: Australia 19 USA 14
Conceding two penalties then ten more metres (Kelter again) was not a sensible start for the Eagles. The whistle blew even louder as Erica Jarrell added another high tackle on Caitlyn Halse. It was all Oz as they established another position five metres out. This time Marsters peeled around the front, dummied and was over for a bonus-point try. 24-14
Still neither side could retain dominance, but Australia had proved more efficient near the line. Now it was the USA commanding the ball. The pack drove close, and who got the ball down? Rogers, of course, for her hat-trick. 24-19
At once Australia were back in charge. As yet another penalty came, Moleka pointed to the posts to score from 40 metres out. 27-19
The game seemed to be petering out with a safe home win, when the Kelter incident altered its savour.
With 79 minutes on the clock Lori Cramer took her time before aiming her penalty kick, to ensure the Eagles would see no more of the ball. She missed.
Result: Australia 27 USA 19
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Teams:
Australia
1. Bree-Anna Browne 2. Tania Naden 3. Eva Karpani 4. Kaitlan Leaney 5. Michaela Leonard 6. Siokapesi Palu (captain) 7. Ashley Marsters 8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra 9. Layne Morgan 10. Faitala Moleka 11. Desiree Miller 12. Cecilia Smith 13. Georgina Friedrichs 14. Charlotte Caslick 15. Caitlyn Halse
16. Katalina Amosa 17. Faliki Pohiva 18. Bridie O’Gorman 19. Emily Chancellor 20. *Ruby Anderson 21. Natalie Wright 22. Trilleen Pomare 23. Lori Cramer
USA
1 Hope Rogers 2 KathrynTreder 3 Keia Mae Sagapolu 4 Hallie Taufoou 4 Erica Jarrell 6 Tahlia Brody 7 Kate Zackary (captain) 8 Rachel Johnson 9 Olivia Ortiz 10 Mackenzie Hawkins 11 Bulou Mataitoga 12 Alev Kelter 13 Ilona Maher 14 Emily Henrich 15 Tess Feury
16 Paige Stathopoulos 17 Maya Learned 18 Charli Jacoby 19 Rachel Ehrecke 20 Freda Tafuna 21 Cass Bargell 22 Sariah Ibarra 23 Cheta Emba
Table after two rounds:
W L D Pts
New Zealand 1 0 1 8
Canada 1 0 1 8
Australia 1 1 0 5
USA 0 2 0 0
Afterthoughts
The unexpected draw in Christchurch must be seen as a setback for the Black Ferns. They failed to overturn the equally unexpected loss to Canada last year, and questions will be asked about their efficiency.
With one round still to come, the positions are as expected. The two leaders will be dead set on finishing top, but the Ferns stand ahead thanks to a better points difference. The managements may well be thinking harder about lessons for trials still to come in August-September.
