Red Roses bully Wallaroos in WXV 1 opener

The gulf at the top of women's rugby was on show again as Australia wilted to England's Red Roses 42-7 in their WXV 1 match in Wellington.

The opening night of World Rugby's new competition was a mismatch, with world No.1 England dismantling the fifth-ranked Wallaroos with a four-try first half.

Captain Marlie Packer doubled up after the break, while Wallaroos forward Annabelle Codey was red-carded for a pair of high shots that meant Australia played half an hour with 14.

Even fully equipped, the Wallaroos couldn't stay with the rampant English, who are set for a third perfect season in four years.

Hannah Botterman pushed her way over after five minutes, before Wallaroos winger Maya Stewart was stretchered off after tackling Holly Aitchson as Ella Wyrwas scored on her full debut.

When Codey was yellow-carded for a shoulder charge on Marlie Packer on 30 minutes, the England captain responded by scoring from the subsequent lineout, charging over from a trademark England drive.

Australia prevented another drive only to fall victim to a blindside sucker-punch, as Wyrwas offloaded to Jess Breach for England's fourth.

Aitchson was impeccable by foot and named player of the match, converting from both wings of Sky Stadium as well as two central efforts to put England 28-0 up at the break.

After a rolling maul delivered Packer's second try and England's fifth, the Wallaroos hit the scoreboard on 54 minutes when Layne Morgan took a quick tap and Ashley Marsters sidestepped her way through a disorganised defence.

The Red Roses struck back within two minutes as Megan Jones took a short ball from Wyrwas and raced through for her side's sixth try.

Codey's second yellow with 20 minutes left gave England the chance to run up the scoreboard but Australia resisted.

A heavy defeat was predictable: England had dominated Australia in their previous six Tests, including a 36-point belting in last year's World Cup quarter-final.

Packer said Australia "asked us lots of questions" but her side had the answers.

"We talk about courage and being courageous. That's what we did tonight as an england team," she said.

The Wallaroos, who also lost Maya Stewart to concussion during the match, brought some fight, finding success with a running game in inside and outside channels.

But they were repeatedly thwarted by lost possession at the breakdown.

Captain Michaela Leonard said she was most proud of Australia's effort in close confines.

"When I look at that scrum for the whole 80, we put it to them," she said. "When we got it right it worked well for us."

WXV, a new annual competition, fills the gap between World Cups for sides to play similar-ranked sides out of their region.

The elite WXV 1, brings together the top three European and Pacific-based sides for a three-week round-robin tournament, this year held in New Zealand.

France, Wales, Canada and the hosts are in action on Saturday, with the competition's showpiece match the final clash of the tournament - a World Cup final rematch between England and New Zealand in Auckland on November 4.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store