Lightning strikes and torrential rain set the stage for a bruising Pacific Four Series opener, but it was Canada who weathered the storm to blank Australia 24-0 in Sacramento. The Wallaroos, hungry for a breakthrough win after two straight 40-plus point losses to the world No. 2 side, delivered a gutsy defensive effort that kept the scoreline respectable until late breakdowns.
Kickoff was pushed back over an hour due to dangerous weather, with heavy rain still pelting the pitch in the first quarter. Those slick conditions actually played into Australia’s hands early, slowing Canada’s typically explosive attack. The Wallaroos’ defensive line held firm, repelling wave after wave until the 19th minute.
That’s when Saracens lock Julia Omokhuale pounced. Snatching the ball from a ruck, she powered over the line to notch the game’s first try. Australia nearly escaped to halftime down just 5-0, but a costly turnover at the 40-minute mark changed everything.
Canadian captain Justine Pelletier scooped up the loose ball, sliced through a gap, and dished to flanker Pam Buisa for a clinical finish. That made it 12-0 at the break, a deficit that felt heavier given Australia’s offensive struggles.
The Wallaroos couldn’t generate consistent possession or field position, plagued by sloppy handling in the wet. Scrum-half Sam Wood and winger Desiree Wood injected sporadic energy, but the attack sputtered without clean ball. Discipline also unraveled—Australia conceded 17 penalties, a stat that haunted them late.
With five minutes left, the Wallaroos were down to 13 players. Centre Celia Smith saw yellow for a high tackle, and replacement hooker Brittany Merlo joined her for side entry. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Australia’s defense remained stubborn, forcing Canada to grind for every meter.
Patience paid off for the Canadians in the 66th minute. Winger Asia Hogan-Rochester finished a sustained attack with a dive into the corner. Seven minutes later, debutant hooker Kiki Idowu crashed over for the fourth try, sealing the shutout.
Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona found silver linings in the defeat. “Although we didn’t get on the scoreboard, we applied a lot of pressure,” she said. “You can see with the scoreboard, there’s a huge shift from that last quarter-final game back at the World Cup.”
In the day’s other Pacific Four fixture, New Zealand overpowered the USA 48-15. The Wallaroos now turn their attention to round two, where they’ll face the Americans in Kansas City, Missouri next weekend.
Sources & Further Reading
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