Aussies give Wales the runaround

■By STEVE RILEY

Australia ………37

Wales ……………. 5

AUSTRALIA were too hot to handle, running in six tries to claim an opening round victory and get revenge after losing to Wales for the first time at Rodney Parade last week.

This game in Cape Town had all the makings of another close contest with Wales trailing just 10-5 at half-time, Carys Phillips going over for Wales while Layne Morgan and Eva Karpani crossed for Australian tries.

But the Wallaroos then scored 27 unanswered points in the second half, including four more tries as Wales fell off the pace.

As the game broke up with 20 minutes to go, Australia’s fitness shone through and a great run by powerful No.8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra sucked in the defence which allowed the ball to go through the hands and out to Maya Stewart who made no mistake off her wing.

They were in again straight from the restart, this time it was the other wing – Desiree Miller – who broke free before Faitala Moleka picked up to score.

Australia put the game beyond doubt 10 minutes later with their bench, particularly the introduction of Lori Cramer, making a real impact. Cramer combined well with Miller to cross.

Wales were dealt a further blow when they were forced to finish the game with 14 players, with last week’s try-scoring hero Molly Reardon yellow carded for a high tackle.

The Wallaroos then enjoyed even more space to run riot and saved the best try for last. Stewart cut a great angle through the Welsh defence before powering her way out of a Georgia Evans tackle to cross for her second.

As well as the lopsided scoreline, a crowd of just 291 at South Africa‘s DHL Stadium was hugely disappointing.

Wales coach Ioan Cunningham said: “It’s very disappointing, but we started really well. We weren’t quite accurate when we got opportunities in Australia’s 22. That’s something we’ve got to be better at next week.”