The Wallaroos bowed 22-1src in a gritty yet erratic performance against world No.4 Canada in the rain of Whangarei today.
The Wallaroos squandered an early 1src-src lead when they battled to get any scrum or lineout consistency to throw any more scoring punches.
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The effort, the storming midfield run of debutant backrower Grace Kemp, more expert ruck work and the character shown in defence were all plusses.
The Wallaroos will fly home from this Pacific Four series tournament without a win but with the confidence they competed on equal terms with the Kiwis, Americans and Canadians for lengthy periods of each Test.
They led 1src-src against five-time World Cup-winners New Zealand, were finishing the stronger when pipped 16-14 by the USA and still had a chance of upsetting the Canadians with four minutes to play.
The Wallaroos have learnt plenty about their strengths and weaknesses in this block of five Tests in seven weeks after so long without international rugby.
Back-to-back Tests against the Black Ferns in August will now be the final preparation for the side before returning to New Zealand in October-November for the Rugby World Cup.
Women’s rugby showpiece event cannot possibly be played in poorer conditions than the rain, wind or both which made it seem like the Pacific Four series was being played in a washing machine at times. Players of all sides certainly looked like they’d stepped from an interrupted wash when they left the field soaked and muddied.
That’s no exc
…. to be continued
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