Wales Women saw victory slip through their fingers when they suffered a 25-19 defeat to Australia at Mount Smart Stadium in WXV1.
The Wallaroos spent virtually the entire second half a player down after Siokapesi Palu was sent off for a high shot on Jasmine Joyce. In the 58th minute they were further reduced when second row Sera Naiqama saw yellow after Wales were awarded a penalty try.
Australia rallied in trying circumstances to come away victorious with a rear guard performance to leave Ioan Cunningham’s side winless from their three games in the WXV1.
Wales began the match looking to start well. Cunningham had asked for a bright start and he certainly got that. Wales went through the early phases with confidence and put Australia on the back foot.
Wales’ defence stood firm as the Wallaroos showed their prowess in attack but after 13 phases Australia were forced to kick the ball away.
Australia wanted to play at pace, utilising the speed of their backs but Wales managed to contain them in the opening exchanges.
Sisilia Tuipulotu and Bethan Lewis rocked Australian attackers back with staunch defence after Australia asked a number of questions of the Welsh defence, but eventually the glut of possession gave winger Maya Stewart the opening try in the 15th minute.
Wales had Australia on the ropes after eight phases, but they were pinged for going off their feet under the shadows of the Wallaroos goalposts.
With Australia dominating territory and possession in the opening 25mins Wales had a rare opportunity to attack. A driving lineout saw the forwards take turns trying to inch their way over the line but the Wallaroos repelled them initially. But plucky Wales refused to give up and hooker Carys Phillips ploughed over to level the scores. Keira Bevan’s conversion put Wales ahead.
Australia nudged back in front with a penalty from flyhalf Carys Dallinger to lead 8-7 at the break.
Palu then received her red card just two minutes into the second spell with a high shot on Jasmine Joyce.
Wales scented blood and took the game to Australia. The well-rehearsed driving lineout worked wonders again with Australia forced to infringe to stop the momentum. Referee Hollie Davidson awarded the penalty try and sent Naiqama to the sin bin to leave the Wallaroos down to 13 players.
Prop Eva Karpani used brute force to power over wide out to reduce Wales’ lead to a single point. Wales then saw Australia strike in the 67th minute when the backs poured through with pace before replacement Lori Cramer pounced on the loose ball.
Ivania Wong scored Australia’s fourth try to put them in control but Wales ensured there was a tense finish when replacement hooker Kelsey Jones touched down in the corner, but the Wallaroos were able to keep their line intact for the fjnal minutes to condemn Wales to their third consecutive defeat in the competition.
