Wallaroos vs USA: Bring on the World Cup, Caslick outshines Maher

CANBERRA: Australia have claimed a confidence-building win over one of their 2025 Rugby World Cup pool stage rivals, beating the USA 30-19 at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, on an increasingly cold Saturday night in the capital.

After losing to the Black Ferns in Newcastle one week ago, the Wallaroos bounced back with a clinical win, including a double from star backrower Ashley Marsters. Charlotte Caslick was also prolific as the women in gold made a statement ahead of the World Cup.

Here are some takeaways.

Bring on the Rugby World Cup

There are close to 100 days until the Wallaroos take on the USA in York during the pool stage of the upcoming Rugby World Cup. With tournament hosts England and Samoa also in the group, this fixture is expected to be a tournament-defining clash for both sides.

England are the best team in women’s rugby, and many have tipped the Red Roses to take out the sport’s top prize on home soil. Samoa put up a solid fight against Australia A last year, but they aren’t expected to upset any of their pool stage rivals.

If England top the pool with a winless run, and both Australia and the USA beat Samoa, then the pool stage clash between the Pacific Four Series sides will be crucial. Whoever wins that second-round match will likely go on to book a spot in the quarter-finals.

It’s a clash that really can go either way.

But Australia should be considered favourites.

The USA beat the Aussies 32-25 at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on May 17 last year, but Jo Yapp’s side claimed some revenge with a hard-earned win in Canberra. While the Women’s Eagles still have a 6-3 record over the Wallaroos, it’s all about the here and now.

Charlotte Caslick, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan and Faitala Moleka have all helped breathe new life into the Wallaroos, who continue to improve after their WXV 2 triumph. But by no means should anyone who were very good at GIO Stadium.

The stage is set.

The countdown is on.

Bring on the Rugby World Cup.

Points Flow Chart

Australia Women win +8

Time in lead

55

Mins in lead

3

69%

% Of Game In Lead

4%

56%

Possession Last 10 min

44%

0

Points Last 10 min

0

Try-scoring machine Hope Rogers is a regular problem for Wallaroos

Hope Rogers can’t stop scoring against the Wallaroos.

After crossing for a double against the Aussies in Melbourne last year, Rogers backed that up with a hat-trick of tries in Canberra. Rogers opened the scoring in the 14^th minute and added another five points to the USA’s score with an effort late in the first term.

Ashley Marsters completed a double early in the second half as Australia took control with a 10-point lead, but some big talking points are both Rogers’ try-scoring ability and the USA’s resilience throughout the Pacific Four Series Test.

Rogers crashed over for a third in the 53^rd minute, which, once again, made the difference less than a converted try. The scoreboard read 24-19 in Australia’s favour at the hour mark, but that margin didn’t seem to truly reflect the match.

While the Wallaroos seemed like the better team for long periods, the Eagles just kept on finding a way to get themselves back into the contest. It was a never-say-die type attitude that will serve them well going forward, with the Rugby World Cup only a few months away.

Charlotte Caslick was a clear standout

Ilona Maher wasn’t the only SVNS Series convert taking the field in Canberra.

Three-time Olympian Charlotte Caslick debuted for the Wallaroos off the bench during the big win over Fiji in Suva earlier this month. Caslick was handed a maiden Test start against the Black Ferns in Newcastle last weekend, struggling to get involved on the wing.

While Stan Sport commentators were even calling for Caslick to shift to fullback during the loss to New Zealand, coach Jo Yapp decided to stick with that selection for the clash with the USA, and that proved to be a stroke of genius.

Caslick was the Wallaroos’ best on Saturday evening.

After getting an early touch, Caslick looked supremely confident and active throughout the Test, which included a maiden international try for the Wallaroos in the 17^th minute. That was the start of a memorable performance from the former Australia Sevens captain.

Caslick caused chaos on a consistent basis, including a memorable break down the right edge late in the first half. The right winger bumped off a tackle attempt from Bulou Mataitoga before putting a kick ahead for others to chase.

But generally speaking, this was by far Caslick’s best performance in a Wallaroos jersey.

Ilona Maher’s battle with Georgina Friedrichs

Ilona Maher is a rugby icon.

With more followers on Instagram than the All Blacks and Springboks combined, Maher has an unmatched influence on the growth of women’s rugby. After starring on the HSBC SVNS Series and the Olympic Games, the American has continued to inspire young girls and boys alike.

When the ground announcer at GIO Stadium read out the USA Women’s Eagles side, the loudest cheer by far was the one that Maher’s name received. The Olympic bronze medallist is funny, relatable, and real, and that’s why rugby fans worldwide have decided to follow on social media.

Maher has a noticeable presence on the rugby field. While wearing fluoro boots – the brightest of any player on the night – Maher stands out as a leader in the backline, who was able to make an impact with some tough carries into the Wallaroos’ defensive line.

After making a short run with her first carry of the Test in the fourth minute, Maher had a couple of solid involvements later on in the first half. In the 12^th minute, two Wallaroos defenders joined forces in a bid to bring the lipstick-wearing American to the ground.

That said, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows.

Maher did go missing for periods of the Test, as the USA played on the back foot, while Australia took control. Playing opposite Georgina Fredrichs, Maher was still able to show signs of quality, although the Wallaroo probably won the head-to-head.