Australia put the USA to the sword 58-17 in the women's Pacific Four Series test match in Ottawa.
The Wallaroos controlled field position from the get-go and were able to convert that pressure into points, leading from post-to-post. Australia camped out in USA territory for the first six or seven minutes and on a very wide pitch made it difficult for the Eagles to kick clear. The Eagle defense was solid and debutante flanker Frede Tafuna was a force throughout, making massive tackles and powering to the gain line when she carried.
The Eagles did get an early chance to turn the tables but off a lineout near midfield Aussie flanker Ashley Marsters intercepted the pass from scrumhalf Taina Tukuafu and seemed to be gone for a try. But captain Kate Zackary tracked down Marsters and prefented a try. The damage was done, however, as back on the front foot were the Wallaroos, and after a penalty and lineout they expertly mauled it over for a try.
They did exactly the same thing after a scrum penalty at midfield, and quickly it was 14-0.
The Eagles did finally get a long period of possession that they did not kick away and scored. Some good runs from Evelyn Ashenbrucker and Tafuna, with Zackary always there to help, and finally Ashenbrucker was over to make it 12-5.
That was the closes the USA got. The Wallaroos started to move the ball and play a little more adventurously with it and put prop Evan Karpani through off a nifty offload. The Aussies seemed to be having fun and were taking passes at pace. The USA was more static, more careful, and definitely looked like a team just getting the pieces put together.
By 50 minutes it was 34-5.
