Canada outmuscled the Wallaroos 24–0 in a rain-soaked Pacific Four Series opener at Heart Health Park in Sacramento, crossing for four tries in a dominant display that was delayed over 70 minutes by thunder and lightning.
Key moments
Kick-off delayed – Weather chaos in Sacramento: Thunderstorms force a 70-minute delay, with the match eventually played behind closed doors for safety reasons. No anthems are held as the teams go straight into action.
4 mins – Soap ball conditions: Both teams struggle to handle the drenched ball with puddles across the pitch. The Wallaroos’ scrum holds firm in the early exchanges.
8 mins – Australia adapt early: Samantha Wood’s box-kicking pins Canada inside their own half. The Wallaroos embrace the grind and earn a penalty inside Canada’s 22, though the chance comes to nothing.
18 mins – TRY CANADA: Canada open the scoring as Julia Omokhuale picks up from the base of the ruck and burrows over from close range. The rolling maul had done the damage, drawing repeated penalties before the lock finds the chalk. Claire Gallagher curls the conversion wide to the right. (Canada 5–0 Australia)
24 mins – Wallaroos threaten: Desiree Miller conjures a remarkable break, blocking a grubber in behind and racing 50 metres on the counter. The ball is moved to Maya Stewart on the far wing but the winger is hauled down just short of the line, spilling the ball.
29 mins – Canadian scrum dominates: The Canadian set-piece establishes clear supremacy, with several penalties conceded by the Wallaroos both for short arm and full arm infringements. The pressure is building.
38 mins – TRY CANADA: Justine Pelletier wriggles through a gap at the ruck to put Canada in a threatening position, and moments later Pamphinette Buisa crashes over in a pick-and-go to extend the lead. Gallagher converts. (Canada 12–0 Australia)
Half-time: Canada 12–0 Australia. Canada have been the dominant force in a miserable first half in Sacramento, their powerful pack repeatedly breaching the Wallaroos’ defence through the rolling maul and pick-and-go. Australia showed glimpses of attacking intent — Miller’s counter-attack the standout moment — but could not convert pressure into points. The Canadian scrum has been a weapon, and with Justine Pelletier directing traffic smartly at nine, the Maple Leafs will be the happier side at the interval.
47 mins – Stewart escapes sanction: Maya Stewart clatters Justine Pelletier high but referee Aurélie Groizeleau finds mitigation in the drop in body height. A fortunate escape for the Wallaroos.
50 mins – Double changes: Australia make a series of replacements including Piper Duck and Waiaria Ellis, while Canada introduce World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year Sophie de Goede from the bench.
55 mins – Wallaroos hold firm: A huge defensive stand from the Wallaroos as they twice force turnovers on their own goal-line, denying Canada a third try.
58–62 mins – Lineout woes: Both teams struggle with lineout throwing in the wet conditions, with back-to-back throws going to ground for the Wallaroos.
66 mins – TRY CANADA: Canada’s patience pays off. Taylor Perry creates the opportunity and a series of passes finds Asia Hogan-Rochester unmarked in the corner to dive over. Gallagher misses the conversion. (Canada 17–0 Australia)
72 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Brittany Merlo is shown a yellow card, reducing the Wallaroos to 14 after one too many penalties conceded as Canada launch into the 22 through their rolling maul.
73 mins – YELLOW CARD AUSTRALIA: Cecilia Smith compounds the Wallaroos’ misery with a yellow card for a high shot in the build-up, reviewed by the TMO and confirmed. Australia are reduced to 13 men.
74 mins – TRY CANADA: With Australia down to 13, Kiki Idowu crashes over from short range to seal a comprehensive victory. Justine Pelletier plays a key role in the build-up. Gallagher converts. (Canada 24–0 Australia)
Full-time: Canada 24–0 Australia
Full match report to follow.
Teams
Canada: 15 Chloe Daniels, 14 Asia Hogan-Rochester, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 12 Claire Gallagher, 11 Aurora Bowie, 10 Taylor Perry, 9 Justine Pelletier (capt.), 8 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Gabrielle Senft, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 5 Laetitia Royer, 4 Julia Omokhuale, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 1 Brittany Kassil.
Replacements: 16 Kiki Idowu, 17 Sierra Gillis, 18 Brooke Rempel, 19 Ashlynn Smith, 20 Sophie de Goede, 21 Rachel Smith, 22 Corinne Fréchette, 23 Paige Farries.
Australia: 15 Faitala Moleka, 14 Maya Stewart, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 12 Sidney Taylor, 11 Desiree Miller, 10 Nicole Ledington, 9 Samantha Wood, 8 Siokapesi Palu Sekona (capt.), 7 Emily Chancellor, 6 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Tiarah Minns, 4 Michaela Leonard, 3 Bridie O’Gorman, 2 Adiana Talakai, 1 Brianna Hoy.
Replacements: 16 Brittany Merlo, 17 Faliki Pohiva, 18 Eva Karpani, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Lily Bone, 21 Piper Duck, 22 Waiaria Ellis, 23 Cecilia Smith.
Match details
Canada 24 (Tries: Omokhuale, Buisa, Hogan-Rochester, Idowu; Conversions: Gallagher 2/4; Penalties: nil)
Australia 0 (Tries: nil; Conversions: nil; Penalties: nil)
Half-time: 12–0
Venue: Heart Health Park, Sacramento, California
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Amelia Luciano & Alexis Saari (USAR)
TMO: Derek Summers (USAR)
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