**Wales Women Suffer Heavy Defeat to Australia Ahead of World Cup Opener**
Wales Women’s rugby team endured a challenging afternoon in Sydney as they fell to a comprehensive 36-5 loss against Australia in their final preparatory match before the forthcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup. The result has offered a sobering reality check for the Welsh squad, who must now regroup and address key areas of concern before the start of their global campaign.
Just a week earlier, Wales were riding high after a shock victory over the Wallaroos in Brisbane—a win which had ignited fresh optimism among players and supporters alike. However, this return fixture saw the hosts respond in emphatic fashion, highlighting both their resilience and clinical edge, which proved too much for Sean Lynn’s side to contend with.
Australia, determined to restore pride after their surprise defeat on home soil, dominated the proceedings from the outset. The scoreboard soon reflected the Wallaroos’ sharpness, as they crossed the whitewash six times through a combination of swift back play and powerful forward surges. Maya Stewart, Faitala Moleka, Katalina Amosa, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, who scored twice, and Ashley Marsters were all credited with tries for the hosts, with Samantha Wood adding six points via the boot.
Wales did have something to cheer about in the first half, as Jasmine Joyce-Butchers showed her trademark combination of speed and strength to notch the visitors’ only try of the match. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for the Welsh, whose attacking efforts were consistently stifled by a well-drilled Australian defence.
The early stages of the contest were characterised by determined Welsh resistance, with the visitors holding firm for the opening quarter. It was not until the 17th minute that Caitlyn Halse orchestrated a clever pass out wide to Stewart, who finished off the first try of the match, setting the tone for the hosts’ dominance. Wales replied in spirited fashion, but further Australian pressure led to Moleka’s try after a powerful surge by Faliki Pohiva, with Amosa adding a third just before half time following a driving maul.
Trailing 21-5 at the interval, Wales needed a strong second half to claw their way back, but any hopes of a comeback were swiftly dashed when Tuinakauvadra powered over for Australia’s fourth. The same player crossed again in quick succession, further extending the home side’s advantage and putting the result well beyond reach.
Ashley Marsters then capped off an impressive performance for Australia by carving through the Welsh defence for a sixth try, compounding a difficult day for the visitors. For Wales, the match exposed several areas that demand attention, particularly in terms of defensive organisation and breakdown discipline, both of which will need to be sharpened before the squad embarks on their World Cup journey.
Despite this setback, it is important to remember the recent progress demonstrated by the Welsh side, with last weekend’s win in Brisbane still fresh in the memory. The upcoming World Cup campaign begins on Saturday, 23 August, where Wales will take on Scotland at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester. Head coach Sean Lynn and his staff will no doubt be using the lessons learned in Sydney to prepare the team for what promises to be a fiercely competitive tournament.
The heavy defeat may serve as a crucial wake-up call, offering the squad and its supporters a timely reminder of the high standards required at international level. However, with further training and honest assessment of their performance, Wales will hope to arrive at the World Cup better prepared for the challenges ahead, determined to make an impact on the world stage.