The game of the tournament. Two sides with high ambitions, but not yet at the top of the class.
A win could help make a safe passage through to the quarters. Few of the large crowd at York imagined the drama to come.
The Wallaroos made the first move. The forwards drove hard, and the ball spun left to Desiree Miller. She had the pace and skill to add to her try-tally. 0-7
The Eagles responded strongly, but inaccurate hands let them down. Cheta Emba was forced into touch. Ilona Maher, who was to have much more impact on this match than last week, made two big drives, but as before handling proved inadequate.
Before the half-hour was up the Eagles had their first score. Freda Tafuna, impressive all through, profited from a long line-out throw. 5-7
After Australia had missed out on two opportunities, 18-year-old Caitlyn Halse dotted down under the posts. She’s nicknamed ‘the Kid’. What will they call her when she’s 32 and the first Australian owner of 100 caps?
Half-time USA 5 Australia 14
It had been tight and tense all through, so much hung on the result. Nerves, on and off the field, were to increase 100-fold.
After the break the Wallaroos conceded penalties, but twice McKenzie Hawkins missed penalty kicks. She made up for them with a fine cross-kick to Keia Mae Sagapolu who scored. Hawkins’ kick hit both posts and stayed out! 10-14
The Eagles were on top. Tafuna finished off another drive, and they were ahead for the first time. 17-14
Australia reacted at once, Miller outpacing Lotte Sharp for her second. 17-19
With Ashley Marsters now on the field, Oz won a scrum penalty. Bullocking runs by the pack gave Halse room to dummy and sprint over again. 17-26
Time to sit on hands and save finger-nails.
Australia offended again, and Tafuna had her hat-trick. They’re all the rage this season. 24-26
Ten to go.
The Eagles built confident phases; Erica Jarrell-Searcy spotted a gap and was through, just like last week against England. 31-26
Next Eva Karpani thundered over to bring the scores level. The kick slid wide.
There was still time for a score, or even two; but as the ball came back to Sharp on 80 minutes, she took the sage course and kicked the ball dead.
She knew the Wallaroos would have a 5-point lead, but they would be facing England next week. Though they were well behind on onfield points, the USA would be able to calculate how many they needed against Samoa.
Result: USA 31 Australia 31
Player of the Match: Freda Tafuna
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU – her 49th match)
Afterthoughts
The first draw of the tournament. Both coaches expressed their disappointment.
The result, though wonderfully exciting, reveals a certain inexperience in the two squads – how to squeeze a win out of a tight game.
Australia made 229 tackles. Most of the stats favoured the USA, but they didn’t win.
