Wallaroos led England at halftime but lost 48-15 in Salford
Australia's Wallaroos led England 10-5 at halftime but lost 48-15 in Salford. England scored eight tries across the match.
Australia's rugby women led 10-5 at the break in their opening match of the WXV Global Series against England on Sunday. Prop Faliki Pohiva scored after Michaela Leonard stole the lineout near England's five-metre line.
England had not played since winning the European grand slam in May. They struggled at first with the smaller trial ball used in this match.
England scored eight tries and won by a wide margin. England's set pieces worked much better in the second half.
May Campbell, Meg Jones (captain), Bryony Field, Mia Venner and Sadia Kabeya all scored in a 20-minute rush. Lucy Packer and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald also scored, along with Abi Burton's first-half try.
Wallaroos skipper Siokapesi Palu Sekona said the final score did not show how the game really went. She promised to deliver a full 80-minute performance next time.
Australia faces France in Marseille next weekend.
- Australia 15, England 48
- Final score
- Australia 10, England 5
- Halftime score
- Eight
- England tries scored
- 4.5
- Trial ball size
Why it mattersThe Wallaroos captain believed England had not trailed at halftime since 2019, showing Australia can compete with the world's best.
