Wallaroos set to renew USA rivalry after ‘scary’ Rugby World Cup epic

Australia and the USA played out a Rugby World Cup epic almost eight months ago at York Community Stadium, with the goal-kicking accuracy of scrum-half Samantha Wood adding to the drama in a nail-biting 31-all draw.

The tense nature of that contest was “extremely scary” for those on the field, in what was effectively a must-win for both teams. Those sides had played out another close Test earlier that year during the Pacific Four Series, establishing one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport.

The Wallaroos started their World Cup campaign with a record win over Samoa in Salford, while the USA fell to eventual champions England in Sunderland. Whoever won this match on August 30 would take a big step towards the knockout rounds.

Erica Jarell-Searcy gave the USA a late lead by breaking through to score with 10 minutes to play, before Eva Karparni struck back for the Aussies almost immediately. With the scores locked deep in the contest, you could feel the tension in the stadium that evening.

“That game was just massive and coming down to the end it was extremely scary playing. The momentum shifts were insane,” Wood told reporters on Tuesday, with the Wallaroos set to face the USA in Kansas City this weekend.

“I feel like there’s a bit of a rivalry going on there now between us. We’ve faced each other multiple times now and they’ve all been close matches so I think we’re looking to pull away now.”

The Wallaroos will renew their rivalry with the USA this weekend at Kansas City’s KPKC Stadium, in the second round of the 2026 Pacific Four Series. Australia started their tournament with a 24-0 defeat to Canada in Sacramento, following some wild weather delays.

Julia Omokhuale and Pamphinette Buisa crossed for first-half tries, with the Wallaroos holding the World Cup runners-up to a 12-0 first-half scoreline. It was a similar story in the second term, with the Canadians piling on another 12 unanswered points.

“We’ve really improved defensively. Obviously the weather conditions killed both our game and Canada’s game a little bit but I think the heart we showed and the repeat defensive efforts from the forward pack and the backs was a really big positive,” Wood explained.

“We didn’t really get into many kicking battles but our edges did really well to put some good pressure on them. In a different game, the ball might have fallen our way a bit more.”

Wood started that Test at Heart Health Park at scrum-half, linking up with Western Force teammate Nicole Ledington in the halves. Ledington debuted for the Wallaroos last month against Fijiana in Canberra, setting the tone early with a remarkable individual try.

Interim coach Sam Needs made some key changes for the Canada Test, with the likes of Georgia Friedrichs and Desiree Miller coming into the run-on side for milestone matches. But Ledington was retained in the starting side at fly-half.

“Nicole’s awesome. I’ve played with her obviously through Force and have a really good relationship with her,” she added.

“She’s done really well. Obviously, her second Test match against the number two team in the world is no easy task but she’s fitted really well into the game and just taking it one game at a time which is really good.”