Rugby: Australia clinch last semi final place after 62-0 victory

August 29, 2024

Australia have made it to the semi finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 after winning 62-0 against South Africa yesterday afternoon.

Australia-v-SA Their victory leaves them second in the pool table beneath New Zealand, ranking fourth seed, so are now set to play England this coming Wednesday in the second semi final at the Twickenham stoop.

The Wallaroos went into the game fully aware that a big win was necessary if they were to make it to the semis, with a win by at least 56 points needed for them to overtake Canada who were second in Pool C after loosing to France earlier in the day.

They now join England, New Zealand and France in the last four.

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Their passion was clear from the get go, with captain Cheryl Soon orchestrating much of Australia’s key play. After only six minutes the scrum half set up the first try of the game, by breaking past defenders before sending wing Kristy Giteau over in the corner.

Nicole Beck followed the impressive try with a conversion of equal status from the touchline, making it 7-0 before the young wing kicked a penalty from in front of the posts to extend the lead to 10-0.

Australia really proved their dominance after South Africa went a player down, with number 8 Namhla Siyolo sin-binned for an obvious slap at the ball. The loss of Siyolo spiralled a series of three converted tries for the Wallaroos, with full-back Tricia Brown starting the scoring spree within a minute.

Number 8 Debby Hodgkinson followed her lead, charging over the line, before prop Lindsay Morgan extended the gap to go in at half time leading 31-0.

Australia continued to dictate play as the game entered the second half, and after only four minutes the lead had extended once more, with flanker Alex Hargreaves picking up and charging over the line as the space opened up before her.

The sixth try of the game saw Australia’s centre, Sharni Williams, score under the posts after being passed the ball by Hodgkinson.

Just three minutes later Australia scored again, with replacement Cobie-Jane Morgan setting up Lindsay Morgan’s second of the day. Beck missed the conversion, however, with just under half an hour left to meet Canada’s tally.

South Africa continued to fight hard but never really made it out of their own 22, with the Wallaroos seeking points to steer clear ahead of Canada’s total. With the strain beginning to show, Australia appeared to lose their hallmark free-flowing attack, with balls being dropped or lost in contact.

An attempt from Cobie-Jane Morgan almost gave Australia the points they were seeking, as she darted over the line with time ticking on the clock. However, rather than going for a straightforward touch down she tried to step inside the defender and lost the ball.

A lengthy stoppage for a serious injury to a South African player gave Australia a chance to prepare for what would be the final play of the match, with Williams making the break and throwing a dummy to coast over the line for a 62-0 final scoreline.

Speaking after the match, Australia captain, Cheryl Soon, said: “I think we performed well in patches. We just wanted to execute our game plan, execute the simple things, get that right.

“We weren’t actually worrying about anyone else or how they were doing, it was all about us. I felt that was probably one of the best games we played even though we did fall away a bit, we came back in the end.”

South Africa captain, Lorinda Brown, said: “It was tough out there, it wasn’t our day but at least we have two more games to redeem ourselves and come back.

“We will keep our heads up high, we will correct all our mistakes. We will go tomorrow and Monday and make it right. The girls played with confidence, the defence was there and we played as a team.”

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Rugby: Australia clinch last semi final place after 62-0 victory

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