ANALYSIS: Saturday’s double victory for the Wallabies and Wallaroos held far more significant value than the scorelines will represent.
The double-header felt like a new chapter in Australian Rugby as the teams took steps forward with their respective Jo/Joe’s following breaking bread during the week and taking part in a combined photo.
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Sydney hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Australian Rugby in the past years, even extending to the ever-conquering Sevens side in 2023.
The Wallabies hadn't won in the Harbour City since 2019, with the Wallaroos falling 33-14 to Canada earlier in the year.
Therefore with just under 36,000 in attendance, victory was pivotal for both sides and they delivered in two vastly different methods.
The Wallaroos delivered a perfect 80 minutes and a ruthless attacking performance that only shone in patches in their opening three games of the Pacific Four series.
Past Australian sides have built leads and taken the foot off the gas but the work-rate of Piper Duck and the forward pack wasn’t going to let that happen as they raced past the 50 mark and kicked clear with ease.
Desiree Miller was excellent on the edge with a quartet of tries, accompanied by playmakers Cecilia Smith, Georgina Friedrichs and Trileen Pomare off the bench.
Yapp’s side is one step down the line from Schmidt’s, past the ‘rapidly come together for a trio of Tests’ stage, and the attacking identity that the English legend is looking to implement was on full display.
They produced a similar win against the USA last year but it’s amplified on home soil with the attention growing on women’s Rugby with the Olympics and next year’s World Cup on the horizon.
“It’s one thing to have little girls come and look up toys because we didn’t have that when we were younger but even the boys coming up and asking for autographs and photos, it’s just really special,” Miller said after the game.
"It shows we’re a motivator for both sexes and all genders. We even have a staff member’s son who says ‘Oh there’s boy Wallaroos’ when he flipped over the team sheet.
“It’s really special to know that we’re seen as equal and building together as a country and one club.”
They have the chance to have a free swing against New Zealand next week at Ballymore, with September’s WXV 2 the big goal. They’ll enter the tournament as one of the favourites and they must back up this tag against tough opposition to not only build confidence but their reputation as a team to watch at the 2025 World Cup.
As for the Wallabies, the defence-led, patient victory was just what Joe Schmidt needed to start his tenure on the right foot.
Wales were unable to get the ball over the line outside of a penalty try, reflecting the toughness already implemented into the pack.
It took Australia 21 minutes to miss their first tackle, finishing the half with a trio of misses and 13 for the game.
The attack will follow over time. They were caught flat on certain occasions and no doubt Schmidt’s infamous post-game review sessions will identify areas of improvement.
But the ability to win when below your best is such a valuable asset in any sport, most particularly international Rugby.
They needed that win to signal a new era under Schmidt, taking an early lead and doing what it took to close out the win.
Even under Dave Rennie, the Wallabies found themselves chasing the game but outside of four minutes early, they never trailed on Saturday.
When the game was in the balance, the game-changing players stood up, whether it was Filipo Daugunu’s slide to the line or Tom Wright’s magic solo play.
On top of this, the set-piece was excellent as they created turnovers from Welsh scrums and lineouts.
The chance to open their season against Wales and Georgia, both set to be ranked outside the top 10 by next week, presents a great opportunity to build into the season and not have to be at their best right away.
They will look to build off this in Melbourne as Schmidt hunts for a true statement of intent before the Rugby Championship and next year’s British and Irish Lions.
“I’m a kid who’s watched it often enough and even the fear when some of those big players played, was probably more f-e-a-r than f-a-i-r because they certainly had a game,” he said.
“We’d love to bring the game back to something like that where our opponents are worried about us and they have to do some homework. There’s a real sleeves rolled up mentality in the group and I’m really enjoying that.”
The signs are there from Sydney that there are two teams fans can truly get behind as they head into new eras with the sky the limit.
