Wallaroos Battle to Thrilling 31-31 Draw with USA, Keep Rugby World Cup Hopes Alive
YORK, England — The Australian Wallaroos and the United States delivered a heart-pounding 31-31 draw in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool A match on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at York Community Stadium, keeping both teams in contention for the quarterfinals. In a game hailed as the tournament’s most thrilling so far, both sides scored five tries, showcasing resilience and attacking flair in front of a passionate sell-out crowd.
The Wallaroos, coached by Jo Yapp, led 14-5 at halftime, driven by tries from dynamic backs Desiree Miller and 18-year-old fullback Caitlyn Halse. Miller, with her fifth try in two games, and Halse, the youngest Wallaroo ever at a World Cup, each scored twice, while prop Eva Karpani’s try with five minutes remaining leveled the score. However, a missed conversion by scrum-half Samantha Wood left the game tied, a result co-captain Kaitlan Leaney described as feeling “like a loss.”
The USA, led by captain Kate Zachary, fought back fiercely. Flanker Freda Tafuna, named player of the match, scored a hat-trick, while prop Keia Mae Sagapolu and lock Erica Jarrell-Searcy added tries to briefly put the Eagles ahead. Despite dominating possession with 63% and forcing Australia to make 229 tackles, the USA couldn’t secure the win, with miscues proving costly.
Both teams earned two points for the draw, plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive in a competitive Pool A that includes tournament favorites England and Samoa. The Wallaroos now face a daunting final pool match against England on September 7 at 2:00 AM AEST in Brighton, where a bonus point could secure their place in the last eight. The USA, meanwhile, take on Samoa, needing a significant bonus-point victory to overcome a 135-point differential and potentially advance.
Leaney reflected on the mixed emotions, saying, “We were on top in parts, and they came back. We made it hard for ourselves; discipline will be the overall message.” USA’s Zachary praised her team’s spirit, noting, “We knew it was going to be a back-and-forth match.”
The Wallaroos’ strong tournament start, including a record 73-0 win over Samoa, underscores their potential under Yapp, the first full-time female coach of an Australian senior national team in a major football code. With 17 players boasting World Cup experience and a cohesive build-up, the sixth-ranked Wallaroos are poised to fight for a historic quarterfinal berth.