#RWC2025 contender makes big statement Down Under

World No.2 Canada has proven why they’re World Cup heavyweights in 2025, defeating the Wallaroos 45-7 in Brisbane.

The visitors were in control from the first whistle as the second-ranked team imposed themselves on the contest through their forward pack.

They had a 26-0 lead heading into the break, and whilst Desiree Miller crossed for Australia, it was all Canada for most of the match.

The Wallaroos got off to a nightmare start after letting the kick-off bounce for Canada to regather.

The visitors’ early pressure at set-piece delivered the opener inside three minutes after prop McKinley Hunt rolled over the line.

Fellow prop DaLeaka Menin set up the second in the tenth with a nice break, offloading for flanker Karen Paquin.

Fullback Julia Schell made it 21-0 after 18 minutes before the Wallaroos looked to work their way back into the contest.

They pressed the Canadian line and put them under significant pressure, forcing some gutsy goal-line defence.

Ultimately, Canada’s pack held them out and barged their way down the field on half-time for Laetitia Royer to cross for a 26-0 advantage.

The injection of Adiana Talakai off the bench nearly delivered instant impact but the TMO brought back the hooker’s try for a knock-on in the build-up.

They couldn’t deny Desiree Miller as the winger fought through the contact for Australia’s first points of the evening.

But Canada were quick to hit back after winger Krissy Scurfield and skipper Alex Tessier ran in back-to-back tries.

The visitors sealed the win in the final ten minutes as Fabiola Forteza crossed with nine minutes to go.

“We’ll take the positives out of it,” Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu said post-match.

“Canada were really physical, set piece again was challenging … their backline were really dangerous.

“We’ll take a lot of growth from that and now we just work towards that NZ game in July.”

Jo Yapp’s side will turn their focus to July’s O’Reilly Cup clash against the Black Ferns in Wellington.

They will then face Wales in a pair of Test before embarking on their World Cup journey in England.