The Wallaroos have suffered a demoralising blow ahead of next month’s World Cup in England after suffering an ugly 21-12 defeat to Wales at Ballymore on Saturday afternoon.
Up against the tenth-ranked side, who failed to notch a win during this year’s Six Nations, Jo Yapp’s side made an unacceptable 21 turnovers and lost four lineouts on the way to the nine-point defeat.
The loss was the Wallaroos’ third straight after heavy defeats to reigning world champions New Zealand and the rising Canadians, but Saturday’s defeat was arguably the worst of the three given their opponents.
“I think we had too many dropped balls and we didn’t play like we know we can,” said acting skipper Emily Chancellor. “It’s back to the drawing board and there’ll be a bit of internal reflection.”
Wales celebrate after beating the Wallaroos at Ballymore July 26, 2025. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
After the industrious Annabelle Codey helped give the home side the perfect start by barging her way over, the Wallaroos allowed Wales back in the game through basic errors and exciting fullback Nel Metcalfe took full advantage by scoring twice after play was halted due to lightning.
But Chancellor, who was filling in for the injured Siokapesi Palu, didn’t want to use the halt in play as an excuse for letting Wales back into the match.
“It’s going to affect everyone, but it’s the reality – it happened to both teams and we came out well in the ten minutes after the lightning, so you can’t use that as an excuse,” she said.
She wasn’t wrong, with Wales almost scoring before the game was halted.
While No.8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra helped close the margin to two points on the stroke of half-time, a try after the break to outside centre Hannah Dallavalle put the visitors back in front.
They never lost the lead either as the Wallaroos coughed up possession regularly as light rain started to fall, with Eva Karpani guilty of dropping the ball on three occasions.
Nor could the Wallaroos’ attack click either as Tia Hinds had a frustrating afternoon at fly-half.
The Wallaroos have six days to turn it around, with Yapp’s side to take on Wales at North Sydney Oval next Friday night in their final hit out before the World Cup.
