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RWC 2025: Four takeaways from Australia v Samoa
By Finn Morton at Salford Community Stadium, Salford
Australia have started their Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign with a record-breaking 73-nil win over Samoa, headlined by a dominant seven-try first half performance. Desiree Miller was among the standouts, becoming the third Wallaroo to score a World Cup hat-trick.
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Katalina Amosa helped the Wallaroos start their campaign at the showpiece event in style, with the hooker crashing over for a hat-trick less than 90 seconds into the Test. Miller and teenage fullback Caitlyn Halse also scored a try each within the first 10 minutes.
The Wallaroos dominated in contact and at the set-piece, and reaped the rewards throughout the first half. Co-captain Emily Chancellor was next to score before Eva Karpani crossed, and then it was the Miller show – completing a hat-trick with two quick tries.
But credit where credit’s due, Samoa never gave up. With thousands in Manchester well and truly behind the Manusina, Samoa were more competitive during the second half, but they still weren’t able to turn their attacking opportunities into points.
Adiana Talakai scored a record-breaking try with about five minutes left, seeing the Wallaroos claim their biggest win ever at a Rugby World Cup. With Halse completing a double soon after, the Wallaroos set a new team record for most tries in a single World Cup match.
Wallaroos wanted to make a statement
Australia couldn’t have started their Rugby World Cup campaign any better really.
Co-captain Emily Chancellor told reporters on Friday that the Australians wanted to “put out a performance that sends a message to the rest of the World Cup.” With the USA and England also in their pool, kicking off their campaign with a solid win seemed essential.
It didn’t take the women in gold long to make their mark against the Samoans, with hooker Katalina Amosa crossing for the opener with less than 90 seconds on the clock. Desiree Miller and Caitlyn Halse also crossed for a try each within the first 10 minutes.
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Those early tries set the tone for what ended up being a historic, record-breaking victory for the women in gold. Before this Test, the Wallaroos’ biggest win at a Rugby World Cup was a 62-nil triumph over South Africa in 2010 – and that’s not the only record that tumbled.
Desiree Miller became only the third Wallaroo to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Test, and as a team the Australians set a new record with 11 tries – their previous best in a single World Cup match was 10 against South Africa in 2006.
With tournament hosts and favourites England also in Pool A, next weekend’s match between the Wallaroos and USA in York looms as a quasi-knockout fixture. After passing their first Test with a big win over Samoa, the Wallaroos seem more than ready for the Eagles.
Australia were unbelievably clinical
Australia were dominant during the first half, as the 45-nil margin at the break showed. Desiree Miller crossed for a hat-trick as the Wallaroos piled on the points, but the one-sided scoreline didn’t tell the full story of the opening 40.
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Considering the margin at the break, it might come as a surprise to hear the Manusina actually had more possession (56%) during the first half. The territory battle was also practically split down the middle, with the Wallaroos slightly ahead with 51%.
But, as Australia’s seven first half tries showed, the women in gold were unbelievably clinical as they started their tournament with a flawless opening 40. The Wallaroos entered Manusina’s 22 seven times and scored a try on each occasion.
Australia actually missed more tackles as well, leading that unwanted stat 18 to 11. But as the half and full time scorelines show, the Wallaroos made the most of every attacking opportunity at Salford Community Stadium.
On the defensive side of the ball, Emily Chancellor and Piper Duck led by example with the two flankers boasting incredible numbers. Chancellor had made 26 stops with 15 still to play, and Duck wasn’t too far behind.
When you consider the dominance of the Wallaroos at the set-piece, there’s a lot to like about this performance if you’re an Australian fan. Michaelea Leonard was a menace on Samoa’s throw at the lineout, even claiming a steal in the 19th minute.
This is what the Rugby World Cup is about
With the Wallaroos scoring three tries inside the first 10 minutes, it became clear quite quickly that it wouldn’t be Samoa’s day in Manchester. While the result didn’t go their way, Manusina still have plenty to smile about, having played their first World Cup match since 2014.
Every time Samoa made a half-break or got into a point-scoring opportunity, the fans at Salford Community Stadium went berserk – a deafening cheer of support, spurred on by some of the team’s replacements who at times called on fans to make some noise.
When Manusina ran onto the field for the second half, despite the 45-nil deficit, the crowd once again let out an incredible cheer of support. Samoa never gave up on the field either, giving it their all until the full-time whistle – showing tremendous signs of character and passion.
This is what the Rugby World Cup is about.
Samantha Wood and Desiree Miller are game-changers
Layne Morgan was a consistent starter for the Wallaroos before coach Jo Yapp made a change ahead of the team’s final Test before heading to England. Samantha Wood was named in the starting side at scrum-half for a clash with Wales in Sydney earlier this month.
In tough conditions, although nowhere near as bad as the weather seen in Brisbane just six days earlier, Wood stood out as a game-driver and playmaker. Wood’s goalkicking was also a talking point after that match, with the No. 9 slotting a sideline conversion at one stage.
Wood was retained in the First XV for the World Cup opener in Manchester, while Morgan looked to make a difference off the pine. While others like Desiree Miller, Caitlyn Halse and Emily Chancellor stole the show with tries, Wood’s efforts can’t go unnoticed.
Whether it was simple yet effective passing, clearances with the boot, or accurate shots at goal, the Wallaroos have found a genuine difference-maker in Wood. Wood did have one kick charged down in the 12th minute, but the 21-year-old was otherwise fairly solid.
In that same vein, Miller was sensational during the first half in particular, scoring a historic hat-trick. Miller crossed for five-pointers in the fifth, 25th and 32nd minutes – also offering some fairly solid efforts on the defensive side of the ball as well.
With Miller combining with Maya Stewart and Halse in outside backs, the Wallaroos have some of the world’s best back three players at their disposal.
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