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Wallaroos make World Cup quarterfinals despite 40-point loss
Nicholas Quinlan • September 7th, 2025 8:14 pm
The Wallaroos have booked their spot in the knockout stages of the Women’s Rugby World Cup despite suffering a 40-point defeat against host nation England.
Coming into the match, the second-place spot in Group A was the only knockout spot that had not been confirmed, with the United States still a chance of progressing as the two teams drew in their clash last week.
With the US having beaten Samoa by 60 points, it meant that so long as Australia didn’t lose by 76 points or more, they would qualify.
And considering England, who are the World No. 1s, managed to beat the USA by 62 points, it was still in the realm of possibility.
But it was the Wallaroos who gained the lead just after the five-minute mark, after managing to maul across the try line with the hooker Adiana Talakai scoring, which was successfully converted.
However, the Red Roses were quick to respond and did so within two minutes with winger Jess Breach all open on the left-hand side to score, but missed the follow-up conversion.
From there, it would be a tussle with the Wallaroos holding their own throughout the majority of the first half.
But despite their best efforts, they would concede a try from a maul themselves in the 32nd minute to see England regain the lead.
The second half saw England gather themselves and really put the game to bed.
Two tries each from Sadia Kabeya and Kelsey Clifford, plus another from Sarah Bern, would see the Wallaroos off from any potential upset.
And after missing her first conversion, fly-half Zoe Harrison converted the remaining six to see the Red Roses win 47-7 and once again show why they are the red-hot favourites to lift the title at Twickenham.
Speaking post-game to the media, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp was proud that her side created opportunities by having more possessions and territory compared to England.
But noted the importance of converting those chances against quality sides such as England.
"The positive thing is we created opportunities, we got field position, and then we couldn't execute,” Yapp said.
“Credit to England, they were coming up the line hard at us. But I'm proud of the first half, the way we took it to them.
“…I don't know if it was, but in the second half we lost momentum, we lost a couple of key set-pieces and then we were on the back foot. Credit to England, they capitalised on that.”
Australia will take on Canada in the quarterfinals. They will enter the match as underdogs, having been beaten by the World No. 2s in their last four outings.
The match will take place next Sunday, with the match kicking off at 1am (AEST).
