The Wallaroos’ match against the Fijiana was a great hit out. A 43-7 win is a nice way to start the season. Heading into the Pacific Four Series against New Zealand, USA and Canada a lead-up game was important.
What were some of the take outs?
It was terrific that the Wallaroos, as an Australian national sporting team headed over to Fiji. It was the first time for the Wallaroos and hopefully they will do it often.
A nod to Rugby AU CEO Phil Waugh who headed over for the match and did the pre-match jersey presentation.
Siokapesi Palu of Australia during the Women’s International Test Match between Fiji Women and Australia Wallaroos at HFC Bank Stadium on May 03, 2025 in Suva, Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
A win is always good but the injuries to Maya Stewart and Bienne Terita are a real kick in the guts. Both are significant strike weapons. Pondering who will come into the squad? While Biola Dawa was in the wider squad, maybe Kahli Henwood from the sevens squad will get a call-up.
As for the game itself, the start was a tad rusty, then they built into the game. The first half delivered five tries. The second half was not so flash with only two tries scored but mindful they lost two backs in the first half. The defence at times was a bit loose. Overall there were more things to like than dislike.
Which players stood out?
Starting in the forwards, Faliki Pohiva followed on from her super Super Rugby Women’s season. She scrummed well, hit hard and bent the defence with her runs. She is a real addition to the Wallaroos pack. Interestingly she was on for just the first 30 minutes. When she came off Eva Karpai came on. An excellent one-two punch.
For some hooker Katalina Amosa was a surprise. But both Katalina Amosa and Tania Naden started two games each for the Brums and Amosa came off the bench twice to Naden’s once. So during the season Amosa probably played more minutes.
Her first-up game for the Wallaroos could not be faulted. She was busy around the field, made her tackles, played above her weight, scrummed well and her line out throwing was very good. With no stats available, she appears to be the best of the lineout throwers.
Lock Tiarah Minns had her first Wallaroos start against the Fijiana having come off the bench against Ireland last season. She performed very well, apart from the yellow card. She brings height and size with a quality engine, all good traits. She played the whole 80 minutes. The Wallaroos are developing some good lock depth.
As for the backs, three that stood out were Layne Morgan, Terita and Caitlyn Halse.
Morgan is the number one halfback, she had an excellent game and played the full 80 minutes. She received recognition from coach Jo Yapp.
“I thought the way Layne tried to keep the tempo of the game high was exactly what we wanted,” said Yapp.
As the master of the quick tap she will often sneak a try and her defence is underrated. It would be interesting to see her tackle efficiency stats.
Before her injury, Terita played exactly as she left off the 2022 World Cup. She was very physical in attack, a couple of tries and solid in defence. The only difference she was doing it at 13. It was handy having a seasoned pro like Cecilia Smith at 12 too. Unfortunately it looks like Terita will be out for a while with her hamstring, just as we had found some centre depth.
My player of the match was Caitlyn Halse. There is probably not an 18-year-old of any footy code with her array of skills and confidence. Not only has she the skills but she is fearless. She regularly comes in as first receiver, sets up other players, scored a try and kicked a 50/22.
When Faitala Moleka went off she was the one kicking for touch. And to top it off, she throws herself on the loose ball when needed. Possibly a sign of her role that with the injuries coach Yapp kept her at 15 for the whole game with Charlotte Caslick going to wing.
They were not standouts but I have to mention Caslick and Tia Hinds. Both did their jobs and didn’t look out of place. Caslick received many more minutes than she would have expected, having to come on in the first half for Terita. She played on the wing, which is not her position, but did a good job.
With Hinds we were not sure whether she would come on as a nine or 10. She came on for Moleka and had a good 20 minutes. There was not a lot of pressure on her at 10 as the Wallaroos were doing well on the scoreboard and she was surrounded inside and out with some experienced players. But it gave coach Yapp a good look at her.
So lots of positives but let us not kid ourselves, the next match, against New Zealand s the real test. Last season the Black Ferns put 60-plus points on the Wallaroos, twice. In Super Rugby Women, the Waratahs were way better than the other teams, went to New Zealand and the Blues blitzed them.
So let us enjoy this win, prepare well as we face reality on Saturday.
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