Wallaroos edge out Eagles in latest Test

By Mark Stevens
8/7/23

Australia captain Michaela Leonard was full of praise for her side as they powered past the USA Eagles in the latest round of the Pacific Four tournament.

In what was a dominant display throughout from the Wallaroos in Ottawa, Leonard – one of five Exeter Chiefs players in action on the day – highlighted the upturn in performance from her side, who were downed 50-0 by New Zealand just a few weeks ago.

“The girls have worked really hard to drive the standards ourselves and expect better of each other, challenging each other to do better and I think that showed today,” said Leonard.

“Turning around from a 50-0 loss isn’t easy, but that was Australian grit, just grinding out for the whole 80 minutes. The girls didn’t give up and that’s what we are all about as a country and as a team.”

Maya Stewart led the way for the Australians, the right winger helping herself to a hat-trick of tries. Also on the try charts were Eva Karpani (2), Ivania Wong, Adiana Talakai, Grace Hamilton and Georgine Friedrichs.

Cecilia Smith knocked over four conversions and a penalty, while Arabella McKenzie also slotted a conversion to complete their scoring.

In reply, the USA – who were skippered by Chiefs favourite, Kate Zackary – bagged two tries from former Exeter winger Jennine Detiveaux and another from Evi Ashenbrucker, one of which was converted by McKenzie Hawkins.

Zackary was joined in the Eagles line-up by club-mates Rachel Johnson and Charli Jacoby, while also lining up for Australia was Lori Cramer at full-back.

A philosophical Zackary said at full-time: “I think at the break it was still a close match, we were down, but we also had a lot of momentum. We were just focused on having 40 more minutes to do a few things right, minute by minute, metre by metre. While we may not have gotten it right every minute, I think there was a lot of hard work that happened.”

The win boosts Australia into third on the Pacific Four standings, all but securing their place in the top division of this year's WXV competition.