Australia cruised to victory and didn’t concede a point, but they have plenty of room for improvement after they were frustrated by a brave Samoan side that lost no admirers on Friday night.
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The Jillaroos showed why they are the best team in the world as they cruised to a 40-0 victory in Sydney, but they will be feeling it for days after they were bashed from the opening minute.
Samoa was never going to have the attacking threats to trouble Australia, but they weren’t intimated by their opponents and took it to them with some brutal shots and incredible scramble defence.
“We have talked about it again and again tonight but I have to say just one more time the defence of this Samoa team has been inspirational,” Emma Verran said on Channel 7, comparing Samoa’s defence at times to a “brick wall”.
“You can see they’re out on their feet out there but they are not giving up. They’re representing their country and culture with such pride.”
The tournament hosts only managed two tries in the second half, with Jess Sergis finally crashing over in the final few minutes.
They were much better in the first half with Keeley Nizza scoring a superb solo try, and they’ll take pride from the fact they kept Samoa scoreless.
The visitors deserved some points given all the defence they did, with youngster Freedom Crichton Ropati a standout on the wing.
The Aussies will take on England next week, with the tournament favourites thrashing them 90-4 in Las Vegas last year.
They’ll want to produce a lot more polish in attack as they warm up for the finals.
OK GO
Australia has superstar talent all over the park, but perhaps their most important player is Olivia Kernick who was enormous in the middle of the field.
There’s a strong Roosters presence in this team, with the halves and the lock bringing that premiership-winning combination to the World Cup.
Kernick has carved up for years and was outstanding on Friday night, with the experienced forward backing up a Jocelyn Kelleher break to score just before half-time.
But it’s her passing through the middle that has ripped defences apart, and Samoa had no answer when she played short for Keilee Joseph to score.
Her ability to hold up defenders is a cheat code for every team she plays for and it’s why it will take a miracle to stop the Jillaroos from going all the way.