The Red Roses scored seven tries in the second-half to race to a 48-15 victory over Australia in their WXV Global Series opener at the CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.
Despite a scintillating second 40 from the hosts, the first half was all about Australia as they showed defensive strength to hold on to a 10-5 lead at half-time thanks to a Samantha Wood penalty and a converted Faliki Pohiva effort.
When Wood was in the sin bin for a deliberate knock on was the only time the Red Roses got on the board as Abi Burton went over from short range. Holly Aitchison was unable to add the extras.
Remarkably, it was the first time the Red Roses had trailed at half-time in seven years, the last time coming all the way back in 2019.
However, it was in the second half that England got back to their usual best and with tries from May Campbell, Meg Jones, Bryony Field, Mia Venner, Sadia Kabeya, Lucy Packer, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, plus a conversion from Holly Aitchison and three from Zoe Harrison, they made it 39 matches in a row unbeaten.
An impressive second half proved the difference for the Red Roses
The Wallaroos did get a second-half try thorugh Eva Karpani, who was earlier sent to the sin bin for an infringement in the build-up to Venner’s try but it was merely a consolation as the Red Roses showed just why they are currently the No 1 ranked team and world champions.
Next up for England is Canada on September 19 in Exeter, before they face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on September 26.
More to follow…
WXV Global Series: England’s schedule and results
- September 12 – England 48-15 Australia (Salford)
- September 19 – England v Canada (Exeter)
- September 26 – England v New Zealand (Twickenham)
- October 16 – Canada v England (Toronto)
- October 23 – Canada v England (Ottawa)
- October 30 – USA v England (New Jersey)