Cramer banishes her demons

By Simon Chapman
27/10/22

Wallaroos full-back Lori Cramer says she suffered nightmares after a plum penalty kick that cost Australia a win over Japan earlier this year.

Australia went down 12-10 to Japan on the Gold Coast after Cramer missed the match-winning kick attempt with two minutes to spare. It was her third miss of the night after two failed try conversions earlier in the night.

However, half a year on, the Exeter Chiefs Women's newcomer had her redemption.

Facing Scotland in the Wallaroos' second Rugby World Cup pool match, Cramer found herself in a similar situation with a kick in the dying moments to put Australia ahead by two points.

All square at 12-apiece, Cramer slotted the pill between the posts to put Australia out to a 14-12 lead. That was the way it stayed as the Wallaroos secured their first win of the Rugby World Cup a week after going down to the Black Ferns.

Cramer admitted she was awash with relief after kicking the match-winning conversion.

"I thought I was the only one that remembered that," said Cramer. "Everyone was like, 'good job' and I was like, 'Mate, I've had nightmares about that game since'.

"Lots of experienced players… the backs coach against Japan, he came up to me after the game and got around me after that game because that was a bloody nightmare. I've had some really bad dreams about that. But no that was really cool for me, that's my job as a kicker and I like that pressure and I like that job and I'm really happy I can do a job for the team."

Australia looked out of sorts against Scotland in the opening half, conceding 12 unanswered points.

That could have been more if not for a sterling try-saver by Cramer, who stopped a bursting run by Rhona Lloyd just short of the line.

"We couldn't let any more points in," said Cramer. "We knew that we didn't want to be too many points behind in the second half, but the game plan was similar in the first and second half, obviously the wind behind us, we knew that was going to help us and we put the ball in the right hands."

It was three quarters of the way into the match when the momentum swung as Australia used the wind to their advantage.

Despite copping two red cards, the Wallaroos put 14 points on the opposition in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Cramer admitted discipline was a problem that had hungover since their first match against New Zealand.

"I'll let the coaches figure out exactly what that is but I think that is part of polishing our product," she explained. "We know we're a good team, we know we've got lots of points in us and we know we can defend well but I think those one per centers and having so much time together this year has really helped us."

"No one means to do anything like that, especially not after last week. I think last week probably set us up in a good way. "We spoke during the week about, if we get another few yellow cards how are we going to play or what are we going to do? So, it probably set us up for today."

Australia's next Rugby World Cup Match match, against England, will take place this Sunday at the Waitākere Stadium, Auckland