The Wallaroos have missed the chance to reach the Rugby World Cup semifinals, losing 46-5 to Canada in Bristol.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Australia was a clear underdog for the last-eight clash, with its English coach Jo Yapp admitting before her last match in charge it was going to be a “do or die” moment against such formidable opponents.<\/p>\n
Canada, ranked two in the world, quickly asserted its authority by building a five-try lead by half-time.<\/p>\n
Despite a gutsy second-half response from the Wallaroos, restricting their opponents to just two more scores, it was Canada who deservedly secured a mouth-watering semifinal showdown with world champions New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Canada burst to an early lead with winger Asia Hogan-Rochester running in a well-worked try before the Wallaroos responded when Desiree Miller sprinted down the left touchline to cross for an excellent equalising score.<\/p>\n
Canadian DaLeaka Menin had a try ruled out by the TMO official but teammate Alysha Corrigan crossed for a dazzling five-pointer to put their side back on top.<\/p>\n
Corrigan scored again on 21 minutes.<\/p>\n
And from there it was all Canada, with Sophie de Goede touching down and loosehead prop McKinley Hunt barging over to establish 31-5 advantage at half-time.<\/p>\n
The Wallaroos were punished again after the restart when Canadian number eight Fabiola Forteza stretched to score under the posts just as the predicted rain started pouring down.<\/p>\n
With nothing to lose, it was the Wallaroos’ turn to up the ante as they began taking the game to their opponents, earning plenty of possession as Canada was forced on the defensive.<\/p>\n
But that momentum was swiftly halted when Canada opted to kick a penalty goal before the Maple Leafs reasserted their supremacy as 37-year-old flanker Karen Paquin glided over for a try.<\/p>\n
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu admitted her team needed investment in order to challenge at the next World Cup, which Australia will host in 2029.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking at a group of players who are young mums, who are balancing looking after their kids,” Palu said.<\/p>\n
“People who are working full time, working nine to five and then having to back it up with back-to-back trainings till 9pm and then having to repeat that the next day.<\/p>\n
“We do need to be invested in so that we can produce good rugby.”<\/p>\n
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