WRWC - Wallaroos stumble

The Wallaroos will play France for third place at the Women’s Rugby World Cup after going down to England 15-0 in the semi-finals at Twickenham Stoop in London on Wednesday (Thursday AEST).
 
England scored two first-half tries in a closely fought encounter and will now seek their first win from three attempts against defending champions New Zealand in a WRWC final on Sunday.
 
The Black Ferns won through to their fourth consecutive Cup final after defeating France 47-5 in the earlier semi.
 
In their maiden Cup semi-finals appearance Australia struggled to find a way to defuse England’s first half pin-point kicking game or get their hands on the ball for extended phases of play.
 
After going to the break 12-nil down, the Wallaroos saw the match swing back in their favour and they enjoyed significantly more possession and territory - but while winger Nicole Beck came close - Australia were unable to find a way through England’s defence, which has conceded just 10 points in four games.
 
Coach John Manenti, while proud of his side’s stoic performance, lamented the Wallaroos inability to turn pressure into points.
 
“We kicked the ball away too much in the first half but I thought we played really well in the second half and the momentum really seemed to be with us,” Manenti said.
 
“If we managed to get a try there we really feel there could have been a different outcome but we weren’t able to score points.
 
“To be fair England’s defensive efforts were really good and they’re a very, very strong side who have prepared well.
 
“We’ll regroup now and prepare to take on the French on Sunday.”
 
England captain Catherine Spencer opened the scoring in the sixth minute when she dived over the line from the back of a dominant scrum and flyhalf Katy McLean converted to give England a 7-0 lead.
 
Danielle Waterman broke the Australian defence and touched down for a try in the 22nd minute to give the home side a 12-nil advantage which remained until McLean extended England’s lead beyond two converted tries with a penalty goal two minutes from time.
 
Australia are already assured of their best ever finish at a World Cup and have automatically qualified for the next event in 2014.
The Wallaroos  finished seventh at the 2006 WRWC in Canada where New Zealand beat England in the decider, after placing fifth in 2002 and 1998.
 
England 15 (Catherine Spencer, Danielle Waterman tries, McLean) bt Australia 0 at Twickenham Stoop, London.
 
Australia (15-1): Tricia Brown, Kristy Giteau, Sharni Williams, Cheyenne Campbell, Nicole Beck, Tobie McGann, Cheryl Soon (captain), Debby Hodgkinson, Alex Hargreaves, Rebecca Trethowan, Kate Porter, Chris Ross (v-c), Lindsay Morgan, Silei Poluleuligaga, Danielle Meskell. Res: Se’ei Sa’u, Margaret Watson, Rebecca Clough, Shannon Parry, Ili Batibasaga, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Ruan Sims.