Take your Back Row Seats for the Quarter Finals
- Sophie Norris
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
The Back Row Seats is TFAP's weekly women's Rugby World Cup Podcast, running for the entire 2025 WRWC. Episode four is live, listen now on apple or spotify.
The Week That Was
Eight teams are through to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals.
Seven of those teams are ranked within World Rugby's Top Seven, while 10th-ranked South Africa has proven to be playing well above their rank.
It was yet another sell-out, as 30,443 fans flocked to Brighton to watch England defeat Australia 47-7, including the Princess of Wales, who even got involved in the Mexican wave!
Here are the other results from the opening round:
Canada 40 def. Scotland 19
Fiji 28 def. Wales 25
USA 60 def. Samoa 0
Japan 29 def. Spain 21
New Zealand 40 def. Ireland 0
France 57 def. South Africa 10
Italy 64 def. Brazil 3
The highlight of round three? For me, it was Fiji securing just their second victory in Women's Rugby World Cup history with a 28-25 win over Wales.
The Wallaroos bittersweet loss to the Red Roses
World Cup favourites England were made to work hard for their 47-7 victory against the Wallaroos. And with Australia losing by less than 74 points, the result means both sides found themselves in the final eight at full-time.
Australian Milestones Celebrated:
Faitala Moleka's 25th Cap
Eva Karpani's 40th Cap
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu played her first game since July.
The Wallaroos really stuck it to the Red Roses in the first half and defended really well. holding the lead for 32 minutes. Australia kicked three 50:22's in the first half (Halse, Wood, Moleka) and dominated possession (67% first half) but just failed to capitalise on that field position.
What is a 50:22?
A 50:22 in is a tactic where a team kicks the ball from open play from inside their own half, and it bounces into touch within the opponent's 22-metre line, resulting in the kicking team receiving the throw into the subsequent lineout.
The law is designed to create attacking space by encouraging defenders to stay further back to cover the 50:22.
Key Stat: Only 73% of Australia's tackles were successful, compared to England's 93% tackle success.
"At times it looked like the back-line wasn’t on the same page as the forwards.” - Bella McKenzie
Where the game could have changed: Changing Combinations
There were six changes made to the starting side that played the USA.
Among the changes was a significant injection of experience, with 40-capped Wallaroos Ashley Marsters, Trilleen Pomare and Michaela Leonard all in the starting side.
But have the Wallaroos allowed enough game minutes for combinations to form?
“They’re not getting the time on the field with those combos, maybe that’s why they look on different pages” - Horse Robinson
Where the game could have changed: Conversion Rate
Australia managed to get into the '22' nine times during the match, but only had one try to show for it (11% conversion rate)
In comparison, England made 11 entries and had 7 tries (64% conversion rate)
“You need at least a 50% conversion rate to win a game.” - Horse Robinson
Len's Look: The Game-Changing Moment of the Week
This week the game changing moment was when Wallaroo Lydia Kavoa got injured in the 34th minute when the score was 12-7. Faliki Pohiva, who made her Wallaroos debut this year, went on for Kavoa but only played 26 minutes before subbed for Bridie O’Gorman
How did it change the game?
The substitution choice meant that Eva Karpani had to play 80 minutes at tight-head prop. Asking a prop anytime to play 80 mins is a challenge, but to do it against the Number One-ranked team in the world is an even bigger challenge.
"I think Eva was exhausted, rightly so, and didn’t get the opportunity to show her skillset." - Horse Robinson
Horse and Bella's hindsight:
It would have been better to sub Karpani off at the 55/60 minute mark and allow Pohiva to finish the game. Those two are like-for-like players and Pohiva is a powerhouse; her best minutes are either the opening 20 or last 20 of a game.
“ I think they got it [the substitution plan] wrong. They should’ve brought Bridie on for Lydia straight away." - Horse Robinson
Inside Wallaroos Camp: Meet Maya Stewart (AKA May-Stew)
Maya Stewart
Position: Prop
Wallaroos Caps: 22
Childhood Club: Nelson Bay Gropers
World Cups: New Zealand 2022 & England 2025
Super W Club: NSW Waratahs
Why are rugby friends different to regular friends?
They just seem to always be the ones that have your back and I think when you're running and tackling people on the field, there's a reason you want to get back up for the people around you and I think it's because of the relationships we have."
How have you bounced back from your injury earlier this year?
“I wanted to obviously be here at the World Cup. It kind of helps having had your fair share of injuries because you know the process, but it's also about being content if it doesn't work out. I knew what I needed to do to get to the World Cup, but I was also ok if I couldn't complete that, because that's footy."
Who has had the biggest influence on your rugby?
"Growing through the Waratahs system, but also Portia Woodman. I just think her ability to move with the footy, she's quick, she's strong, she has footwork, but her ability to make something out of nothing makes her the ultimate winger for me."
How many packs of gouda [cheese] have you been through? "Actually we had a travel day yesterday and Bridie came walking down the bus and she sat down next to me and pulled out some gouda cheese and some biscuits from behind her back for me."
Listen to Episode Four of the Back Row Seats, out now: http://tr.ee/WNdF-9wGiM
Quarter Final Preview: Wallaroos vs Canada (Canucks)
WHEN: Sunday 14th September 2025
WHERE: Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
TIME: 1:00AM AM AEST
HOW TO WATCH: Live & Free - Nine Now
WALLAROOS:
Ranked 7th Coming off a 47-7 Loss
Scored 111 Points so far
Conceded 38 points
CANADA
Ranked 2nd Coming off a 40-19 Victory Scored 147 Points so far
Conceded only 26 Points
Head-to-Head History:
2025: Canada 45 - Australia 7
2024: Canada 33 - Australia 14
2023: Canada 45 - Australia 7
2022: Canada 22 - Australia 10
Canadian Players to Watch:
Tyson Beukeboom (Second Row)
Sophie de Goede (Number 8)
Emily Tutossi (Hooker)
"Canada are a well-oiled machine, they're structured and quite well calculated. It looks like everyone is on the same page and doing their job." - Bella McKenzie
Horse & Bella Words of Wisdom:
The Wallaroos need to get the bench and substitution plan right to be able to match it with Canada.
They have nothing to lose, all the pressure will be on No. 2-ranked side Canada
The ball really needs to start going out the back on those second and third phases, we haven't really shown much attack this World Cup. When Scotland started to take the line on that's when they found holes in Canada's defence.
"When the Wallaroos match teams physically they start to get some confidence and I do think in every game we’ve seen the pack come together in a different way.” - Horse Robinson
Horse and Bella's prediction: The Wallaroos can win if they are all on the same page and knuckle down this week. There will likely only be one try difference either way and kicking is going to be super important.
Horse: 32-28 [Wallaroos]
Bella: 35-25 [Wallaroos]
Written by Sophie Norris
Sophie is the Content Producer here at the Female Athlete Project.
The [female] athlete project is Australia's fastest growing women's sports platform, spotlighting the stories and achievements of women in sport. Listen to the weekly podcast the wrap on apple or spotify, or sign up to our weekly newsletter here.
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