The Wallaroos failed in their quest for a breakthrough win against Canada but can take heart from a 24-0 defeat in the opening game of the Pacific Four rugby series.
After conceding more than 40 points in their last two meetings against the world number 2, the Australians showed an improved performance in difficult conditions in Sacramento on Sunday.
Australia’s game was delayed for more than an hour due to a lightning strike, and heavy rain still fell in the first quarter.
The wet conditions helped the Wallaroos slow Canada’s powerful attack and prevent their rivals from getting a cross until the 19th minute.
Saracens’ Julia Omokhuale picked up the ball at the back of the scrum and dived over the line to open the scoring.
It looked like the Wallaroos would go into halftime with just a single try, but they gave up another try after 40 minutes when Canada captain Justine Pelletier scored on a lost ball. The scrumhalf shot through a hole before firing the ball to flanker Pam Buisa to take a 12-0 lead.
Australians, deprived of ball and field position due to sloppy handling, struggled to build momentum, although scrumhalf Sam Wood and winger Desiree Wood did their best to stimulate the attack.
They were also let down by a lack of discipline, conceding 17 penalties and having to play the final five minutes with 13 players, with center Celia Smith (high tackle) and substitute hooker Brittany Merlo (side entry) both receiving yellow cards.
The Wallaroos are still waiting for their first win over the Canadiens. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)
They continued to display stout defense, but the patient Canucks finally broke through in the 66th minute when winger Asia Hogan-Rochester shot into the corner.
Debutant Kiki Idowu scored her team’s fourth try in the 73rd minute as the Canadians enjoyed a shutout against the Australians.
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona said there were positives to take from the result.
“Even though we didn’t get on the scoreboard, we applied a lot of pressure,” she said.
Wallaroos captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona was pleased with the pressure her team put on Canada. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
“You can see from the scoreboard that there is a big change from the last quarter-final game at the World Cup.”
New Zealand earlier defeated the USA 48-15 in the other game of the four-team tournament.
The Wallaroos will face the USA in round two next weekend in Kansas City, Missouri.