Wallaroos' Ashley Marsters admits how tough Pacific Four has been

Ashley Marsters summarised the Wallaroos’ 27-19 Pacific Four Series victory over the USA in Canberra in typically laconic fashion last Saturday.

“They’re not soft, that’s for sure,” the hard-running loose forward quipped.

“They challenged us in the set piece. They were clued up in the lineouts and physical in the ball carry. The positions in which they carry and the way they support the ball carrier are hard to stop.”

Australia expected a torrid time at GIO Stadium. The USA had beaten Australia six times in eight previous meetings.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

The American front row of Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder, and Keia Mae Sagapolu has a combined tally of 98 caps. With 53 Tests, Rogers has passed Jamie Burke as the Women’s Eagles’ most capped player. The veteran loosehead was damaging against the Wallaroos, scoring three tries.

“That’s nothing unusual for her. She’s a high-caliber, history-making player. She knows what she’s doing,” Marsters acclaimed.

With a Wallaroos record 37 caps, Marsters brings plenty to the table. She has covered multiple positions in a career that has spanned three Rugby World Cups. Her two tries on Saturday were vital in subduing the tenacious Eagles.

Both tries showed how well the 31-year-old reads the game, taking a quick tap and go to catch the Eagles unawares and burying her way to the try line, with the second coming off the back of a line out, selling a perfect dummy to touch down. Watch the full match back on the RugbyPass App.

Marsters was credited with a start after a powerful display off the bench the week before in the Wallaroos’ 38-12 defeat to the Black Ferns in Newcastle. Marsters scored a try and made some bone-rattling tackles as a brave rearguard against the reigning world champions.

To put it into perspective how far Australia have come in 12 months, last year, the Wallaroos were hammered in the corresponding fixtures 67-19 and 62-0 by the Black Ferns. We will have to wait and see if they’re able to close the gap any further when the two teams meet once again in the O’Reilly Cup on Saturday 12th July in Wellington.

Speaking of her role as a replacement in that Test, Marsters commented: “When you come off the bench, you want to change the game and have an impact. We were disappointed with our first half (against New Zealand). At times in the second half we won the collisions and built momentum.”

Perhaps the most unusual incident in the Black Ferns Test was a disallowed try to centre Georgina Friedrichs. Wallaroos fly-half Tia Hinds jabbed a kick in behind the Black Ferns that rolled into the in-goal area. Friedrichs was first to the loose ball and appeared to have dotted down for a second-half score.

“I definitely grounded it,” Friedrichs said. “I was unsure if I did so in the field of play. It was close to the dead-ball line. In hindsight, looking at the replay, I should have made a greater appeal for the try, but I’m not one to dwell on things.”

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Australia can’t afford any hesitancy against Canada at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday night in their final 2025 Pacific Four fixture. A new front row has been selected to try and combat the defending champions, while coach Joe Yapp has opted for a 6-2 forward-heavy bench.

Martha Fua is recalled after a strong performance at set piece against the Black Ferns. Katalina Amosa also returns alongside Bridie O’Gorman in her 30th Test. Sevens star Charlotte Caslick has been selected at inside centre, in a change of position from previous weeks on the wing.

 

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“Canada loves a pick and go and a maul from anywhere on the field. It doesn’t matter where they are or if it’s just one player, once they get the legs pumping, they’re all in,” Marsters observed.

“Black Ferns against Canada was phenomenal. A game of that intensity captivates you. I couldn’t put the phone down. I was trying to prepare for a Test match.

“I thought the Black Ferns fightback was tremendous. That many phases at the end (to score a try) was awesome. You have to respect that.

“Canada has threats across the park. We need to work very hard and reduce errors to beat them.”

Canada has won all four of their internationals against Australia. Their most recent meeting was in the 2024 Pacific Four, where Canada prevailed 33-14.

We shall see if the Wallaroos continue to ride the trajectory of improvement as the Pacific Four draws to an end and the World Cup gets ever closer.

You can watch Australia take on Canada on Friday 23rd May at 07:55 BST on RugbyPass TV via the RugbyPass App (not including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada).