Wallaroos prop Eva Karpani is ready to go the distance again if that’s what it takes to power Australia over the line in Sunday’s quarter-final against Canada.
Karpani put together an impressive 80-minute shift at tight-head prop during last week's loss at England after Lydia Kavoa's injury threw out their rotation.
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It’s becoming second-nature for the powerful prop, whose fitness has become a major weapon for Jo Yapp’s team.
On five occasions in the past 12 months the former Wallaroos Player of the Year has lodged over 70 minutes starting at the Test or Super Rugby level.
“I think for me, especially at the international level, you've got to be prepared for anything, especially when a prop does go down,” Karpani reflected.
“When we did have a prop go down, my first initial thought was be ready for anything and make sure you're ready to go regardless. I think I was lucky enough to get 60 to 80 minutes in Super W, so it did prepare me well.
“I think international level, it is a step up, but I think mentally I was ready for anything.”
The Wallaroos have never beaten Canada but Karpani was a part of the team that came the closest in 2022.
On that day in New Zealand, the Australians led at half-time before going down 22-10 in Whangarei.
“I think what worked for us was coming back to our individual jobs, like just doing your job, whether you're a prop, winger, whatever it is, just doing your job and executing it,” Karpani recalled
“I think something we've really been focusing on as a pack is our 12.5%. If we all do our 12.5%, that makes us, enables us to give it 100%.”
Karpani believes an inspired first-half shift against England is fuelling confidence for a big performance and Canada after Australia's pack wreaked havoc with big scrum penalties and several lineout steals against the Red Roses.
“I think we really wanted to throw the first punch in set piece, especially scrums, and once we were able to do that and score off of our set piece, I think it really calmed the nerves,” she added.
“Obviously, they [England] are the top team in the world so after doing that and having a powerful set piece, it gave us a lot of confidence.
"I think going into this week, having Canada the second-top team in the world, I think for us it comes down to how we prepare again.
"Similar to England, they're a very strong pack and they're a strong and fast-playing team, but I think everything for us is just worry about going back out into our jobs.”
