MANCHESTER – Australia opened their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign in style with a 73-0 win against Samoa at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday.

Story of the match

They followed up seven first-half tries – including a hat-trick from wing Desiree Miller – with four more in the second half to put them in a strong position in Pool A ahead of hosts England, who beat USA on Friday.

Samoa ended the first half and started the second half strongly but couldn’t take advantage of their territory and possession, while Australia seemed able to score at will, posting their highest ever score in a Women’s Rugby World Cup match.

Mastercard Player of the Match

Cecilia Smith (AUS) was named Player of the Match after an all-action display that included 13 carries and 126 metres made, topped off with a try.

“That was really fun,” the inside centre said.  “Starting debut at the World Cup is a pretty surreal feeling and to do it against my homeland is pretty special.

“We stuck to our gameplan. We knew they were physical so we tried to spread it out wide, and had a lot of fun.

“We saw how USA played against England. They were pretty fast and physical so we’re going to try to match them.”

Coach insight

Australia head coach Jo Yapp said: “Really proud of the girls, because behind the scenes they work so hard. We know Samoa are a tough side and they never roll over, so all credit to them.

“For me, the confidence to move the ball [pleased me most], and we were clinical in the first half, certainly more than we have been. Also to keep them at nil, because they were throwing a lot at us, particularly in the second half.”

Samoa head coach Ramsey Tomokino rued his team’s slow start.

“We knew Australia were going to be tough,” he said. “The messages at half-time were ‘let’s win the second half’. It was a better second-half effort from our players.  Our players now understand what it’s like to be at a Rugby World Cup. It’s not the result we wanted, but credit to Australia.”

Stat of the Day

18 years, 339 days – the age of Australia full-back Caitlyn Halse, who became the youngest player to represent her country at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. She celebrated with two tries.

Next steps

Australia can all but secure their place in the quarterfinals with victory against USA in York on Saturday, 30 August, while it doesn’t get any easier for Samoa: hosts England in Northampton.