Key events
Thanks for following along today. We’ll be back to follow all the action from the second Test between the Wallaroos and Wales at North Sydney Oval on Friday night. But the full report from Wales’ 21-12 win over Australia will be here shortly …
Emily Chancellor is refusing to use the lightning delay as excuse for the Wallaroos’ surprise defeat to Wales.
We had too many drop balls and we didn’t really play like we know we can. So it’s back to the drawing board for us because it’s time for a bit of reflection.
[The lightning delay] is going to affect everyone but the reality is it happens to both teams. I thought we came out really well in the first 10 minutes after the lightning so we can’t use that as an excuse.
Wales captain Alex Callender is looking emotional as she sums up the win.
Bloody awesome. I am genuinely so proud of the girls and just excited about the journey ahead. Just that belief, we came in and wanted to be physical. I thought our defence was outstanding today.
The Wallaroos are handed a firm reality check with the Women’s Rugby World Cup just a month away as Wales seal a deserved 21-12 win. After a promising start for Australia, a lightning delay gave Wales time to reset while the hosts paid the price for a series of handling errors in the slippery conditions.
The victory is Wales’ first on the road in 818 days with a double to Nel Metcalfe before Hannah Jones added a third to extend the tourists’ lead. The Wallaroos pushed hard to find a way back into the game but the Wales defence proved too strong.
Full-time: Australia 12-21 Wales
Wales have their first win under coach Sean Lynn as the Wallaroos slump to a worrying defeat. It was an even contest through the opening half as the tourists took a slender lead into the break, but they have turned it on since then to claim just their second win in the past nine clashes with Australia.
78 mins: Since taking the lead, Wales have allowed Australia to have more of the possession even if the tourists look more comfortable with ball in hand. They fling it around before sloppy knock on gives the Wallaroos one last chance to get back in the game.
76 mins: Australia keep searching for territory and gaps but more handling errors in the slippery conditions again stop the hosts in their tracks.
74 mins: Wales are managing the game beautifully as the clock ticks down and they are happy to take territory with long kicks. A knock on gives Wales a scrum feed and they drag it out for more than two minutes across three sets.
70 mins: A pair of penalties to Australia in quick succession within sight of the line piles the pressure on Wales. But yet another handling error turns the ball over to Wales.
68 mins: Desiree Miller searches for space down the left sideline while sucking the Wales defence to one side. That allows the Wallaroos to move the ball quickly before the tourists’ defence stands up yet again.
66 mins: The Wallaroos are awarded a penalty but even with the clock ticking down are unsure whether to take the lineout or settle for a scrum. They finally decide on the latter but time is running out to add to their half-time score with Wales holding firm.
63 mins: Wales are controlling this contest as they hold Australia out of dangerous areas and seemingly wait for the hosts to give the ball back cheaply. That’s until Bethan Lewis makes a break to open up the play before the Wallaroos claim the ball back in a mad scramble.
61 mins: A penalty to the Wallaroos after Georgina Friedrichs is crunched in a tackle just before the ball lands in her hands gives the hosts a chance to reset. They look like they need it after taking little ground despite their best efforts over the past few minutes.
59 mins: The Wallaroos have replaced all of their front row as they search for fresh legs to test the Welsh resilience.
57 mins: The Wallaroos turn to creative ideas with the Wales wall proving hard to break down. Caitlyn Halse chips and chases just inside the right sideline but Bevan’s clever tap back to a teammate keeps the ball in Wales hands.
54 mins: Both sides are ringing the changes as the first signs of fatigue begin to set in. The Wallaroos are camped in their attacking half but unable to find a way through. Wales skipper Alex Callender has been immense in defence.
51 mins: A lull in play as both sides take several attempts to set their scrum. The Wallaroos rip the Wales scrum apart and push them over the try line but the ball breaks free and Lleucu George is first to dive on top of it before both sides settle in again. Tuinakauvadra tries to go solo but is brought to ground and is too slow to get the ball moving as Wales celebrate a penalty.
48 mins: The Wallaroos turn the ball over when finally in a threatening area but claim it back straight from the scrum. Tabua Tuinakauvadra takes ground before the Wales defence locks down and a handling error from Layne Morgan clears the danger.
46 mins: The Wallaroos have looked much better with ball in hand rather than when needing to defend. The hosts are on the attack again with the forward pack going to work.
TRY! Australia 12-21 Wales (Jones 43’)
The perfect start to the second half for Wales and Australia are on the ropes. Keira Bevan collects from the scrum and dishes off to Lleucu George coming through at pace. The No 10 grubbers a kick through the Wallaroos defence as Hannah Jones runs onto the bouncing ball to cross over with ease. Bevan converts.
41 mins: Wales kick off to start the second half as Ash Marsters takes the first carry. But the ball is quickly back in Wales hands and the tourists scoop it out wide to Jasmine Joyce-Butchers who wins a lineout inside the 22.
Half-time: Australia 12-14 Wales
Wales head to the break with the advantage after a pair of tries to Nel Metcalfe as the tourists found just enough space on each of their wings. The Wallaroos responded quickly to falling behind with a try to Tabua Tuinakauvadra on the cusp of half-time but a miss from Desiree Miller leaves the hosts narrowly behind.
The Wallaroos started brightly as Tuinakauvadra crossed the line a minute into the match before the try was overturned. A try soon after to Annabelle Codey gave the hosts a deserved advantage before lightning struck and the game was delayed for half an hour. The break appears to have given Wales time to reset as the visitors had the better of the next period of play. But it’s still all to play for in the next 40 minutes with Australia trailing 12-14.
🚨 𝙃𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 | 🇦🇺12-14🏴
An encouraging first half in Brisbane as a Nel Metcalfe brace gives us the lead the break. 💪#CymruAmByth | #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/HB1AXjV2yB
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 26, 2025
TRY! Australia 12-14 Wales (Tuinakauvadra 40’)
A penalty in their front half allows the Wallaroos to take a lineout close to the line. The rolling maul gets to work and Tabua Tuinakauvadra collects and dives low to get across in the corner just seconds before the hooter sounds. Miller misses with the conversion and Wales head to the break with their noses in front.
TRY! Australia 7-14 Wales (Metcalfe 39’)
Nel Metcalfe has a double and Wales have the lead. The tourists couldn’t find a way through the Wallaroos’ heavy hitters until spreading the play out to their left flank. With an outnumber it was only a matter of deciding who might rush the line before Metcalfe’s fast feet did the damage. Bevan adds the extras.
38 mins: Bevan lays off to Jasmine Joyce-Butchers trying to hustle her way over the line. But the featherweight is now match for the Wallaroos defence as they hold off three more attacks before their skipper Emily Chancellor snatches the ball back.
36 mins: A brief break in play as Donna Rose gets some medical attention and the other 29 players catch their breath. But on the restart there is more concern for Wales with Keira Bevan having an issue with her knee. She would be huge loss for the tourists but the No 9 will play on for now.
35 mins: The Wales try-scorer Metcalfe steps a pair of Wallaroos opponents to create space for Lisa Neumann to charge into. The No 11 carries to the 22 but the Wallaroos get back quickly to cover the danger.
33 mins: Tabua Tuinakauvadra makes a solid run for Australia but lacks enough support as the ball is turned over with the Wallaroos too slow at the breakdown.
31 mins: The rain has picked up again but thankfully no further signs of lightning after the earlier delay. A chip and chase from Australia has Wales under pressure and they quickly hand the ball back to the hosts.
29 mins: Wales breakaway after smothering Tia Hinds’ clearing kick as Bethan Lewis gathers. But the Wales No 7 fumbles in the tackle, then slaps the turf in frustration at a gilt-edge opportunity lost.
27 mins: The Wallaroos are unable to make the most of a opening after a chaotic lineout but Wales give the ball back again. A darting run from Tia Hinds creates space for Kaitlan Leaney to surge into but just as her eyes light up a diving tackle from Lleucu George takes out her legs a few metres from the line. Wales take possession.
24 mins: The Wallaroos look to respond immediately as Ash Marsters takes plenty of ground before dishing off to skipper Emily Chancellor but the pass isn’t clean enough and Wales can breathe a sigh of relief.
TRY! Australia 7-7 Wales (Metcalfe 21’)
Wales draw level after a clever set play from the scrum. Keira Bevan feeds the scrum and creeps around the back to get the ball back and dish off to Nel Metcalfe charging past. Desiree Miller does all that she can to hold up Metcalfe with a crunching tackle just inside the line, but the ball is grounded just far enough. Bevan adds the extras.
18 mins: Wales skipper Alex Callender tumbles forward with the line just out of reach before Donna Rose keeps the tourists momentum heading in the right direction. Australia try to pick off a turnover centimetres from the line but a knock on hands Wales a scrum feed 5m out from their posts.
16 mins: Wales take their first scrum feed and quickly pass it off to the flank where Courtney Keight puts her head down and takes ground. The tourists push to the 22 and earn a penalty in a threatening position. That was some messy play from Katalina Amosa.
14 mins: Australia win the scrum with the bonus of a penalty advantage as they search for territory and a line out.
13 mins: The Wallaroos bomb the ball out and Wales scramble back into the centre of the field where Donna Rose makes a run. But the Wales No 3 fumbles under heavy contact from Bridie O’Gorman and Australia will feed the scrum after a knock on.
The Wallaroos are huddled under the post at their defensive end and getting ready for the restart, after Wales were held up over the line before the lightning and heavy rain arrived.
The players from both sides are making their way back onto the field after the lightning delay and we’ll be back in action in a few minutes. Boil the kettle and settle back in…
For those just checking in now, lightning has caused play to be suspended with the Wallaroos leading 7-0 against Wales after 12 minutes at Ballymore Stadium.
World Rugby’s lightning safety guidelines have some useful life lessons as well as setting out when the players can return to the field:
When the lightning strike is within 6 miles (9.65 km) of the venue, it is recommended that players are removed from the pitch. The speed of sound through air is approximately 0.2 miles per second, so for every 5 seconds of time between the lightning flash and the associated thunder clap, the strike is 1 mile away. The approximate distance (in miles) can be calculated by counting the time (in seconds) between the two events and dividing it by 5.
The guidelines go on to say:
Thunderstorms have a tendency to reverse course and come back over an area that that they have just passed. Recommendations on best practice also state that it should only be considered safe to return to the field of play a minimum of 30 minutes after the final flash of lightning or clap of thunder has been seen/heard.
The players have ducked into the sheds with play suspended, while the spectators scamper to find shelter. It appears we’ll have a short break with heavy rain falling at Ballymore Stadium though the thunder and lightning seems to be moving on.
12 mins: The players from both sides run from the field after a crackle of lightning echoed around Ballymore Stadium. Wales might not mind the opportunity to regroup.
10 mins: Wales press forward as a storm arrives at Ballymore Stadium. The Wallaroos defence holds firm as Wales pick and go not once, not twice, but thrice with the line just out of reach. The tourists finally climb over the line but Gwen Crabb is held up.
TRY! Australia 7-0 Wales (Codey 8’)
The Wallaroos pack proves too powerful as they drive to line and then pick off Annabelle Codey standing nearby to casually cross for the opening try under little tackle pressure. Desiree Miller converts and the signs are looking ominous for the tourists.
6 mins: Wales make up some decent ground as Keira Bevan busts through a pair of limp tackles. But just as the pressure is starting to mount, Australia win the ball back in their own half.
4 mins: An early let off for Wales as the referees decide that Emily Chancellor obstructed with an early run before Tia Hinds collected then dished off to Tabua Tuinakauvadra charging down the flank. Alarm bells are ringing for the tourists though.
2 mins: Tabua Tuinakauvadra is over the line and the Wallaroos are confident they have opened the scoring but the referees are coming together for a closer consideration.
1 min: The Wallaroos immediately pile on the pressure as they fling the ball around and press for the line.
Kick-off
Australia kick off and the women’s rugby international is under way at Ballymore Stadium.
The national anthems are complete and the players are taking their place at Ballymore Stadium with the first women’s rugby international between the Wallaroos and Wales on Australian soil about to get under way.
Wales lineup
Wales XV: 1 Maisie Davies, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Donna Rose, 4 Alaw Pyrs, 5 Gwen Crabb, 6 Georgia Evans, 7 Bethan Lewis, 8 Alex Callender (C), 9 Keira Bevan, 10 Lleucu George, 11 Lisa Neumann, 12 Courtney Keight, 13 Hannah Jones, 14 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 15 Nel Metcalfe.
Replacements: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Katherine Baverstock, 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19 Tilly Vucaj, 20 Bryonie King, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Kayleigh Powell, 23 Carys Cox.
🚨 𝗧î𝗺 𝗖𝘆𝗺𝗿𝘂 🏴
Here is your Wales team to face @WallaroosRugby on Saturday in Brisbane, 5am KO BST! 🔥👇#CymruAmByth | #AUSvWAL
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 23, 2025
Australia lineup
Wallaroos XV: 1 Lydia Kavoa, 2 Katalina Amosa, 3 Bridie O’Gorman, 4 Kaitlan Leaney, 5 Annabelle Codey, 6 Emily Chancellor (C), 7 Ashley Marsters, 8 Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 9 Layne Morgan, 10 Tia Hinds, 11 Desiree Miller, 12 Trilleen Pomare, 13 Georgina Friedrichs, 14 Waiaria Ellis, 15 Caitlyn Halse.
Replacements: 16 Tania Naden, 17 Bree-Anna Browne, 18 Eva Karpani, 19 Ashley Fernandez, 20 Piper Duck, 21 Samantha Wood, 22 Cecilia Smith, 23 Lori Cramer.
Preamble
Martin Pegan
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the women’s rugby international between Australia and Wales at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane. The Wallaroos and Wales meet for the first time on Australian soil with both sides out to build momentum ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England next month.
The Wallaroos are also searching for winning form as they continue to find it tough to break through the glass ceiling and challenge the leading World Cup contenders. But they have a strong record over today’s opponents – the world No 10 – with seven wins in their past eight matches including a 37-5 thumping last year. Emily Chancellor will captain the Wallaroos for the first time, while veteran Ash Marsters becomes the first woman to reach 40 caps for Australia.
Wales are also looking to turnaround a run of poor results after failing to find a win and finishing bottom in the Six Nations. Prop Sisi Tuipulotu’s return will give the tourists a huge boost as they look to emulate their victory over Australia last year rather than the crushing defeat to the same that followed just a week later on neutral ground in South Africa.
This is the first leg of a rugby double-header feast with a certain touring side taking on the Wallabies in Melbourne later today, while the Wallaroos and Wales will also meet again next week in Sydney. The forecast in Brisbane is for wet and wild conditions surely perfect for an entertaining clash.
Kick-off is at 2pm local, or 5am for those following along on BST. I’ll be back shortly with the line-up. In the meantime, get in touch with any questions, thoughts and predictions. You can shoot me an email, or find me on X @martinpegan and Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!