Wallaroos captain Emily Chancellor believes their 36-5 win over Wales sends a timely message to their World Cup rivals ahead of this month’s tournament.
The Australians were classy across the park as they rectified last week’s defeat with a thumping win.
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In wet conditions at North Sydney Oval, the Australians ran in 29 unanswered points and nearly produced a record win over the Welsh, if not for a disallowed try after the siren.
“We've got to know that from within we can put in an 80 minute performance. I think that's what that game did for us,” Chancellor said.
“It solidified in our minds that the work that we've been doing over the last 4, 5, 6 months or 18 months has been leading to the one point.
“You can let a little bit of doubt creep in after last week's performance but to know that we can bounce back in a week and we can put something together and make such small tweaks to put a whole performance together I think puts us in a really confident position in the future knowing that we can do that in bad weather so watch out in the dry.“
Chancellor was there in 2022 when the Wallaroos fought their way into the quarter-finals at the last World Cup in New Zealand.
She marvelled at the improvement since that campaign, confident that this is the best preparation yet for a World Cup.
“It's worlds apart [from 2022]. Australian Rugby's come such a long way,” Chancellor explained.
“The women's program has grown in resources, in preparation, the amount of time we've spent together this year, it's crazy. We've spent so much time together and I think it's such a good reflection of what the investment has been in the women's game and our team and I think that leads to feeling better about your preparation.
“You feel more confident, you feel more connected with the players. We know we've done a lot more work together and we're a cohesive group. Not that we weren't in 2022 but I think now we're ready to go and we're excited for what's in front of us."
For coach Jo Yapp, it ends her stint on Australian soil on a high note, departing at the end of the World Cup on home soil for the former Red Rose.
“I'm super proud to coach this group not just as players but as people,” she added.
“They're a really amazing group and amazing role models for youngsters and the rugby's one part of it but just being able to work with them and be around them, I've learnt a lot as well and I'm just super fortunate for having had this role and I'm looking forward to the next bit which is the World Cup.”
