Wallaroos out to end England streak to ensure Cup final

Wed, Sep 3, 2025, 9:00 PM
AG
by AAP & Lachie Grey

After playing out an instant World Cup classic against the USA last week, Australia now want to cause the upset of the tournament against England.

The Wallaroos are in a Pool A battle with the Eagles for a place in the quarter-finals of the showpiece event following last week's 31-all thriller in York.

Watch the Wallaroos take on England live and on-demand via Stan Sport.

Australia only need a bonus point to keep their campaign alive but are eyeing an even bigger prize on Sunday morning - ending England's incredible 29-game winning run.

Far from daunted by the Red Roses' hot streak, Wallaroos co-captain Emily Chancellor said the team had put the disappointment of the draw behind them and felt upbeat about their performance and chances of advancing.

"The message was really clear - it's not doom and gloom, this was a positive game we played against the USA," the star flanker said from Brighton.

"We're not kicking stones about a result, we're on a positive mindset and we're looking forward to the opportunity we have to cause the upset of the competition.

"If we say that last game was the game of the tournament, let's look for the upset of the tournament."

A bonus point would see them secure a playoff spot, which they can achieve by scoring four or more tries against England, or if they lose by seven points or fewer.

If they don't and the USA post a big win over Samoa in their final pool match, it will come down to points differential.

Samoa, for their past, have already pledged to support their Oceania sisters by throwing everything they have at the Eagles.

Chancellor said her team would leave the mathematical machinations to the coaches and run out targeting a victory against England, who have won 29 matches straight,  their last defeat coming in the 2022 World Cup final against New Zealand.

"They're a world-class team, and we know that they've got a wonderful winning streak," she said.

"They've got threats in the forwards, threats in the backs, but ultimately we're looking at us and how we can play against them.

"That means we've got to dominate our tackles and be really positive in our attacking shapes, which we've shown, when we do have the ball in the right spaces of the field, how good we can be.

"Our number one goal is to get our own bonus-point win.

"Obviously it becomes a bit more technical and tactical as the game goes on, but we're leaving that to the coaches to be doing the maths, and we're there to play a game to win and we'll focus on that."

With the Wallabies and sevens teams firing and Rugby Australia clearing its huge debt, Chancellor said the Wallaroos wanted to be part of the "golden age", with Australia hosting the next women's tournament in 2029.

"We've seen such great things from the Aussie sevens, and the Wallabies have had their really good period and we are riding that wave with them and we really want to be part of it.

"Australians, we're competitive and we do pride ourselves on our rugby union success, so it is important that we perform well at this World Cup."

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