Promising performances from a handful of players on debut helped a new-look Wallaroos begin their season with a 33-15 victory over Fiji at GIO Stadium in Canberra.
Australia were made to work it for it, however, with Fiji proving to be a stubborn foe who stayed in the contest deep into the second half.
Australia led by just 14-10 at halftime after two first half tries but the Wallaroos’ superior strength and fitness told in the end, with the home side scoring another three tries after oranges to secure victory.
Both sides had chances to score more five-pointers but the two combatants were both predictably rusty in their opening hit outs of the year.
In their first Test since a quarter-final exit at the Rugby World Cup last year, the Wallaroos fielded six debutants in a side looking for a dose of revitalisation. And interim coach Sam Needs got what he was looking for, with all the new players stepping up to the occasion.
Rookie WA five-eighth Nicole Teddington was the pick of the new crop, scoring a sparkling solo try and defending with grit. Centre and sevens conscript Sidney Taylor and reserve backrower Lily Bone were also excellent, and reserve hooker Britt Merlo also stepped up on her long-awaited debut. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce and Piper Simons also turned in solid shifts.
It was a predictably rusty performance from the Wallaroos, who only went into camp two weeks ago and haven’t yet played any footy this year, with the Super Rugby Women season moved from February-April to June-July this year.
Australia started the stronger but couldn’t convert until Teddington, the talented 22-year-old from the Western Force, showed her class by slicing through the line for a 14th minute solo try, beating a handful of defenders.
Bridie O’Gorman scored a second when she collected a deflection soon after, but after Australia lost Briana Hoy to the bin, Fiji turned to their power runners answered with a route-one try to lock Carletta Yee.
The Fijians pushed hard in the second half but the injection of regular stars like Georgie Friedrichs and Desi Miller helped the Wallaroos push away in the second half, with tries to Stewart and Siokapesi Palu Sekona.
Fiji didn’t throw in the towel, and scored a second try to Josivini Neihamu, but they couldn’t manage to score from good attacking possession in the last quarter, and Australia were relieved to not be faced with a tense finale.
The Wallaroos now travel to the USA to take on Canada, the USA and New Zealand in the Pacific Four tournament next month.
Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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