New Zealand v Australia - O' Reilly Cup Game 1 2024

'They’re going to be wounded': Wallaroos eyeing maiden Black Ferns scalp

Tue, May 21, 2024, 3:45 PM
Nathan Williamson

Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart believes the Black Ferns' loss to Canada proves they are there for the taking as they hunt for their maiden win.

The Canadians wrapped up the Pacific Four series with a 22-19 win over the World Cup champions in Christchurch.

“It shows that every game is a Test match and it’s not just a one-sided game. We’re definitely competitive and the Canada game showed that last week," Stewart said on the Kiwis defeat last week.

“They’re going to be wounded, they’re going to be hurt and I think it’d be great for us to climb on the back of that…They’ve blooded some new players and that’s why they’re having a few discipline issues and I think we can capitalise on that. The new girls coming through are electric and exciting but there are points there to push.”

The Wallaroos are yet to record a win in 2024 as they deal with the 'teething' issues under new coach Jo Yapp.

However, Stewart remains confident their best is just around the corner.

“I think there’s just teething issues. Jo’s (Yapp) come on board and it’s so refreshing to have a new coach and we’re still learning under her," she explained.

“I think the Canada game was exciting for us. We were in that and the same as the USA game. I think that’s what exciting about this week is that it’s a new game, a new chapter and we’re able to come out and maybe put all that together for a full 80 which we haven’t done in the past years.

“(The USA loss) was definitely disappointing for us as a group but I think everyone’s really keen to turn things around

“Canada showed last week that New Zealand could be beaten so we’re definitely up for the challenge.

“…I think the first half showcased what we’re about as a team. We have great impact players coming off the bench so if we can utilise them more and play similar to what we were in the first half, I think we’ll run away with it."

On top of a maiden win over the Kiwis is qualification for WXV1, needing a victory to deny the USA a place in the top division.

Regardless of what happens, the Australians are looking to take incremental steps on the road to the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s massive. We want to be in WXV1, that’s exactly where we want to be," Stewart said.

“We’re a team that can compete in WXV1 and if we don’t win we’re in WXV2 and we’ll compete there as well. Regardless of the outcome of the weekend, we’re going to come away and be competitive but WXV1 is where we want to be, that’s everything so this game is massive.”

“We’re not in a sprint, we’re running at our own pace and understanding that," back-rower Siokapesi Palu added.

“We’ve got to be on par with where we’re at so if part of our team is just a little bit behind, we need to make sure we stay with them and build that cohesion working together.

“It’s a long year and we’re three Test matches in so hopefully this is a game where we’ll start to see a shift in intensity facing the Kiwis.”